Random Letters

You could try using the fromCharCode() or a custom array, the latter perhaps being more practical. Try this:

my_alphabet=["a","b","c",...,"z"] //insert the complete alphahabet

my_random_a = Math.round(random(0,23)); //arrays start with zero
my_letter_a = my_alphabet[my_random_a]; //get the random letter from the alphabet

//create the same setup for all 5 letters

[my_letter_a + my_letter_b + my_letter_c + my_letter_d + my_letter_e] //print the result string

This should give you something usable if you apply it to the source text.

Mylenium



[Pour Myl

While Mylenium's way will work fine, I did something similar to this recently and came up with a quicker way. Just use this expression for source text of a layer:


//Begin expression
numOfLetters = 10;//Modify me
useSpaces = true;//Modify me
changeEveryFrame = false;//Modify me

//Don't modify below this line

seedRandom(index, !changeEveryFrame)
//--
function genLetter( )
{
r = random(65, 90);//from a to z
return String.fromCharCode( r );
}
s = "";
for(i = 0; i < numOfLetters; i++)
{
s += genLetter();
if(useSpaces)
s += " ";
}
s
//End expression


Modify the first couple lines of code as needed.

~Colin

Hey, since Ken's head is spinning, why not throw this into the mix:

This is modified from Dan's "Exploring Expressions in After Effects 6", halfway down the page wth the grid of random numbers and text:

http://www.creativecow.net/articles/ebberts_dan/ae6_exp/index2.html



numRows = 1;
numChars = 5;
holdFrames = 5;

seed = Math.floor(time/(holdFrames*thisComp.frameDuration));
seedRandom(seed,true);

s = "";
j = 0;
while(j < numRows){
k = 0;
while (k < numChars){
c = Math.floor(random(65,91));
s += String.fromCharCode(c);
k += 1;
}
s += "r";
j += 1;
}
s

-------------------

With the text tool, click to get that little flashing cursor thing, then twirl down the text to reveal "Source Text" and apply this expression to the source text.

The way it's set up will give 1 row of 5 numbers that holds for 5 frames, change to suit yourself.

I just think it's nice to have choices, and on the page cited, Dan does a pretty nice job of, if not explaining his expression, at least shedding light on it. Anyway sometimes it's fun to have your head spin, like getting dizzy from twirling around and around.

[Colin Braley] "Mylenium,
I'm just trying to share what I know. While this expression may have been a bit complicated for a beginner to understand, I assume others who read this thread will be able to look through it and figure out the code and maybe learn something. And in Ken's case, he got a quick and easy solution even if he doesn't feel like reading through all the code and figuring it out."

Please, no need to apologize. You guys are great (but still a bit crazy ;-D) it's just that my own rule of thumb is: keep it simple. Using loops, conditional statements and string methods certainly does not fall into that category. You know, the danger is that with such complex stuff you can easily put off people from ever using expressions again (out of frustration of not understanding the code)and that can't be what we want when we should be convincing them of the exact opposite.

Mylenium

[Pour Myl