UPDATED: 6/30/13 Welcome to episode 10 of the After Effects ExtendScript Training series. In this episode we will create a custom function that will allow us to easily retrieve specific types of project items like CompItems, FolderItems, or FootageItems. We will also get into setting arguments for our function, which will allow us to pass outside information into our function. Functions can be very dynamic and can help consolidate a series of coded tasks into one simple function that you can call in your code later on. Functions can be used more than once without having to type out all of the coded tasks each time. Functions will be a very powerful tool in your scripting arsenal. If you missed any of the previous episodes in this series, follow the links below.

Previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1 (Intro)

Episode 2 (Javascript Basics p1)

Episode 3 (Javascript Basics p2)

Episode 4 (After Effects Object Model structure overview / Script Preparation and development tips / Single Item Access of various project items, comps and layers)

Episode 5 (Access Renderqueue items, output modules and file paths / Multiple item access of project items, comps and layers / Batch change all renderqueue items file paths)

Episode 6 (Collecting data into an Array() / Changing values / Various tips)

Episode 7 (Create new comps and folders / Create Null, Solid, and Text layers)

Episode 8 (Create multiple comps of various sizes / Use Undo group / Add solids to match each comp / Various tips)

Episode 9 (Globally change blue solids to red / Replace solid name blue with red)

In this episode:
– Build a custom function to collect all CompItem objects
– Modify function to dynamically allow for choice of CompItem, FolderItem or FootageItem