Super Easy Animations Using After Effects Expressions

1. Wiggle Expression (Control Random Motion)

The Wiggle Expression is one of the most used in After Effects to create random motion. Whether you're animating text, objects, or camera movements, this expression helps introduce dynamic, organic movement.

Code Example:
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wiggle(frequency, amplitude);

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  • frequency: How often the wiggle happens (measured in times per second).

  • amplitude: The range of motion in pixels.

• How to Use: Apply this to the position property of a layer to create random motion. For example, wiggle(2, 30) will make the layer move randomly twice per second within a 30-pixel range.

 

2. Time Expression (Automate Simple Movements)

The Time Expression is perfect for creating automatic movement over time without manually setting keyframes. You can use it to make objects rotate, move, or change properties over time.

Code Example:
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time * 50;

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  • How to Use: Add this to the rotation property of a layer. The object will continuously rotate over time. Multiply time by the desired speed (in degrees per second).

 

3. Loop Expression (Create Seamless Loops)

The Loop Expression is great when you need an animation to repeat indefinitely. There are multiple variations, but the most common is loopOut("cycle"), which repeats keyframes in a cycle.

Code Example:
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loopOut("cycle");

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  • How to Use: Add this to a property with multiple keyframes, such as position or scale, to make the animation loop seamlessly.

 

4. Bounce Effect Using Expressions

A Bounce Expression is often used to simulate a bouncing ball or springy motion. It creates a natural and realistic motion for objects that need to come to rest.

Code Example:
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amp = 20;

freq = 3;

decay = 5;

t = time - key(1).time;

amp * Math.sin(freq * t * 2 * Math.PI) / Math.exp(decay * t);

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  • How to Use: Apply this expression to the position or scale property. The object will appear to bounce after reaching its final keyframe position.

 

5. Simple Text Animations Using Expressions

You can also use expressions to animate text layers in creative ways. For example, to make text appear letter-by-letter, you can use the sourceRectAtTime expression combined with the animator properties in After Effects.

• How to Use: Create a text layer, apply an Animator to animate the Opacity, and add this expression to control the reveal timing of each character.

 

6. Smooth Damp Expression

If you want your animations to ease in and out smoothly, you can use the Smooth Damp Expression. This expression adds a gradual easing effect without having to manually adjust the keyframes.

Code Example:
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ease(time, startValue, endValue, 0, 1);

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  • How to Use: Apply this to any property that you want to animate (e.g., opacity, position, rotation) for smoother transitions between keyframes.

 

Conclusion

These simple expressions in After Effects are just the tip of the iceberg. They allow you to automate movements and add sophisticated animation styles to your project with minimal effort. Once you master these basic expressions, you can mix and modify them for more complex animations.

 

By using these expressions, you can save time and bring your animations to the next level without needing to set countless keyframes. Dive into each one and experiment to find out what works best for your design style!

 

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