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dony.

AE_TimerKeeper

v3.0.0

by dony.

Video Overview

Description

AE_TimerKeeper is a powerful extension for Adobe After Effects designed to help users track and manage the time spent on individual projects. Whether you're working on multiple compositions or juggling several projects simultaneously, AE_TimerKeeper provides an intuitive interface to monitor your workflow efficiently. By keeping a detailed log of your active projects, AE_TimerKeeper enhances productivity and ensures you stay on top of your deadlines.

Installation

  1. Install the Extension:

    Windows:

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\

    Mac:

    /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/

  2. Enable Loading of Unsigned Extensions (if needed):

    • For Windows: Simply double-click the included Add Keys.reg file to automatically add the required registry key.
    • For Mac: In the Terminal, run:
    defaults write com.adobe.CSXS.11 PlayerDebugMode 1
  3. Access the Extension in After Effects via Window > Extensions > AE TimerKeeper

Main Features

  • Real-time Time Tracking
    • Begin or stop tracking time for the current project with a single click
    • Time is continuously saved while working to prevent data loss
    • Automatic project monitoring with change detection
    • Smart project state management during file conversions
  • Project Management
    • Search and filter projects by name for quick access
    • Open and auto-start timing for selected projects
    • Delete unwanted projects and their timing data
    • Refresh project list to reflect the latest changes
  • Analytics Dashboard
    • View time distribution with interactive charts
    • Toggle between top projects and all projects views
    • At-a-glance statistics for total time and project count
    • Detailed time breakdown for each project
  • User Interface
    • Tab-based navigation between timer and dashboard
    • Modern toast notification system for user feedback
    • Responsive design that works at different panel sizes
    • Comprehensive help panel with detailed instructions

Usage

  1. Open Adobe After Effects
  2. Go to Window > Extensions > AE TimerKeeper
  3. Timer Tab:
    • Click Start/Pause to begin or stop tracking time
    • Select a project and click Reset to clear its accumulated time
    • Use the search box to filter projects by name
    • Double-click on a project in the list to open it
    • Select and click Delete to remove a project from tracking
  4. Dashboard Tab:
    • View total time spent across all projects
    • Explore the interactive donut chart showing time distribution
    • Toggle between top projects and all projects views
    • Review detailed time breakdown for each project

Important Notes

warning

Always save your project before starting the Timer. When switching between projects, it's recommended to pause the timer first to ensure accurate time tracking. The extension will attempt to detect project changes (such as when After Effects converts a project for compatibility or when a project is closed without pausing the timer) and will notify you through toast notifications of relevant actions being taken, keeping you informed of timing status changes. This notification system helps you stay aware of what's happening with your tracked time, though manual control still provides the most reliable tracking experience.

info

Timer data is saved at regular intervals (every 5 seconds) to optimize performance and reduce disk operations. This means up to 5 seconds of tracking time may not be recorded if After Effects crashes or if the extension is unexpectedly closed. This approach balances data accuracy with system performance, ensuring your workflow remains smooth while maintaining reliable time tracking.

All timing data is automatically saved to a JSON file in:

Documents/Adobe/TimerData

Use the "Open Data Location" button in the Help panel to access your timing data file directly.

Version History

v3.0.0Current Version7 April 2025
  • Complete Rebuild as Adobe CEP Extension: Transitioned from ExtendScript to a full HTML/JS/CSS extension with persistent panel interface.
  • New Analytics Dashboard: Added comprehensive time analytics with visual charts and project distribution visualization.
  • Enhanced UI/UX: Implemented tab-based navigation, modern toast notifications, and project search functionality.
  • Improved Project Management: Added detection of unsaved projects, improved state management, and enhanced validation.
  • Technical Improvements: Implemented automatic data saving, enhanced error recovery, and improved cross-platform compatibility.
v2.1.014 February 2025
  • Project Data Storage:
    • Moved the timer data JSON file from the Desktop to Documents/Adobe/TimerData.
    • If an existing timerData.json was found on the Desktop, it is now migrated to the new location.
  • Help Panel Update:
    • Updated the Important Tips section to advise users to manually pause the Timer before switching projects or starting a new project.
    • Redesigned help panel layout for better readability:
      • Added a version panel at the top with the script name and version.
      • Improved panel organization with individual sections.
      • Optimized panel heights and spacing for better content display.
      • Enhanced alignment of help content.
      • Added a "Contact Me" panel that includes a support description, a copyable URL field, and a button for opening the website.
  • UI Improvements:
    • Changed the Help button from text to an icon using base64 image format.
    • Reorganized the status bar layout: Help icon aligned to the right.
    • Reduced the width of the "Recent Projects" panel to prevent the interface from stretching with long project names.
    • Removed the watermark from the main interface; the watermark now appears only in the Help panel.
v2.0
  • Complete UI Redesign:
    • Implemented a new three-panel layout (header, main, footer)
    • Added comprehensive status message system
  • Enhanced Project Management:
    • Added robust project validation system
    • Improved project path handling and validation
v1.1
  • Added Refresh Data Feature:
    • Introduced a Refresh button to manually reload timer data from the JSON file.
  • Open Project on Double-Click:
    • Enabled opening a project directly from the Recent Projects list by double-clicking on it.
v1.0
  • Added core timer functionalities: start, pause, and reset.
  • Implemented recent projects tracking with persistent storage.

Support

If you need help or want to provide feedback, you can contact me here:

donyaep.vercel.app open_in_new

Enjoy this extension and happy creating! :>