Replace Footage Randomly

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How to use the script

Always check code before running it on your computer. Even basic scripts like this one. If you’re not a developer, ask an LLM like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to verify it for you.

Option 1: Install to your AE Folder

Download and install the below .jsx file in your After Effects Script folder. You can then run it using the scripts menu, or by using a launcher like Quick Menu 3.

Option 2: Adapt the script yourself

Alternatively copy the code below and develop your own version. If you’re not a developer you can do this easily with an LLM like ChatGPT.

replaceFootageRandom.jsx2.2KB

/*
  Replaces selected layers with randomly ordered selected footage from the project panel,
  ensuring no two adjacent layers use the same footage.
*/

(function() {
    var comp = app.project.activeItem;
    if (!(comp && comp instanceof CompItem)) {
        alert("Please select an active composition.");
        return;
    }

    var selectedLayers = comp.selectedLayers;
    if (selectedLayers.length === 0) {
        alert("Please select at least one layer to replace.");
        return;
    }

    var selectedItems = app.project.selection;
    var footageItems = [];
    for (var i = 0; i < selectedItems.length; i++) {
        var item = selectedItems[i];
        if (item instanceof FootageItem) {
            footageItems.push(item);
        }
    }

    if (footageItems.length === 0) {
        alert("No footage items selected in the project panel.");
        return;
    }

    app.beginUndoGroup("Replace Footage Randomly");

    // Shuffle the footage items
    function shuffleArray(array) {
        for (var i = array.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
            var j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
            var temp = array[i];
            array[i] = array[j];
            array[j] = temp;
        }
    }

    var footageSequence = [];
    while (footageSequence.length < selectedLayers.length) {
        var shuffledFootage = footageItems.slice();
        shuffleArray(shuffledFootage);
        footageSequence = footageSequence.concat(shuffledFootage);
    }

    // Assign footage to layers
    for (var j = 0; j < selectedLayers.length; j++) {
        var layer = selectedLayers[j];
        var currentFootage = footageSequence[j];

        // Ensure no two adjacent layers have the same footage
        if (j > 0 && currentFootage === footageSequence[j - 1]) {
            // Swap with the next item if possible
            if (j + 1 < footageSequence.length) {
                var temp = footageSequence[j];
                footageSequence[j] = footageSequence[j + 1];
                footageSequence[j + 1] = temp;
                currentFootage = footageSequence[j];
            }
        }

        layer.replaceSource(currentFootage, false);
    }

    app.endUndoGroup();
})();