CE TimeShuffle
Posted on 05. Aug, 2007 by Jerzy Drozda Jr in After Effects
Have you ever tried to create time jitter effect that you saw in movies like The Ring, The Cell, or Fight Club? Well… stop trying. Do it!
Click here to watch the video tutorial
This video tutorial focus is to create time jittering effect using one of my presets. You may have seen this effect in movies like The Ring, The Cell, or Fight Club. You may still create this kind of effect simply by playing with the TimeRemap function, but it’s much easier to use my preset.
Since this tutorial is a response for a question posted on CreativeCow forums I haven’t had time to record some footage to demonstrate how cool this may look when used properly, so I’m counting on your imagination. For example: try using the Echo effect after applying TimeShuffle.
The interesting thing is that this preset it behaves like a standard plugin. Well… almost like a plugin. The main difference between a standard preset and this CustomEffect (because thats what I call it) is that all controls like sliders and checkboxes are bounded into one item under the effects pallet of a layer. You have to see the tutorial to know what I’m referring to.
To install this CustomEffect you need to download my installer and the CustomEffect package. To learn more on installing CustomEffects on Mac and Windows please click here. Of course, you may still choose to use the standard preset instead of my CustomEffect, but I really encourage you to download my installer and bound polyCE files to it, because from this day forward I’m planning to upload my present in this format (at least the expression based ones).
I hope to see some comments on this, because if you’ll like it I’ll create a CustomEffect Deployment Tool, that will allow you to create and share your own CustomEffects.
See the original thread (by Speedyman) on CreativeCow forums.












Conor Maher
20. Aug, 2007
Wow! Really cool techique, thanks :)
ftown
22. Aug, 2007
What do I do with the two files in the pscei file?, can someone offer some help? thanks.
Maltaannon
22. Aug, 2007
It’s just a piece of software like notepad, word, or anything else. Best thing would be if you’d put it in some newly created folder and thats it. Just unpack it to a convenient place.
ftown
22. Aug, 2007
Thanks Maltaannon, that cleared it up for me. I took the liberty of writing out some instructions for any other brain dead and/or half asleep people.
1. download PolygonStudio_CustomEffects_Installer & TimeShuffle.zip
2. create a new folder in your AE programs folder, I named mine maltaannon because he is the man behind these great ideas/code.
3. drag two files, pscei._x_ ,and zlib.dll inside this folder.
4. open timeshuffler and double click timeshuffler, browse to your maltaannon folder, select the pscei.exe file, and check always use this app to open this file. when choosing what file to “open with” you may have to change “files of type” at the bottom to see the file.
5. pat yourself on the back, you did it.
Maltaannon
23. Aug, 2007
Thanks a lot. If you don’t mind I’ll put in on the “What CustomEffects are” page, so everyone else could get instructions there, because that is where I’m pointing to when referring to CustonEffects.
ftown
23. Aug, 2007
no I don’t mind, glad I could help. Custom Effects are a great way to work inside AE. Looking forward to the Deployment Tool if/when it arrives.
J
23. Aug, 2007
Hey Maltannon. Thanks for the good tutorial.
I am also wondering how you wrote the expression so that the ball moves as the frame goes up? Math to me is like…..well I dont wanna say it :(
Can you please tell me how you set up the expression??
Also I would like to know how I can make it so that it writes the frame number as well??
I’m so sorry for my ignorance :(
Thanks!
ahmed
27. Aug, 2007
hi, thanks for the tutorials…
I discovered you just yet.
I am interested in matchmoving so much, 3d objects in 2d space; but very hard to find tutorials with this content.
thanks again and have a time…
Maltaannon
27. Aug, 2007
I am planning a tutorial on matchmoving, but I’m afraid that it will only be available on my Training DVD.
Franky
27. Aug, 2007
Hey your the “Man-tannon”,
nice website, great Tuts. But the “Timeshuffle” Presets wont install at my system (virtual basic v6 installed).
At the installation Process it stops at the step “read package content” and windows says: “runtime error 53 – Data not found”
Anybody knows where the Problem is?
Franky from Germany
Maltaannon
27. Aug, 2007
I’m working on it right this second. I’ve just compiled new version of the installer few minutes ago, so try downloading the installer again in a few minutes. It will hopefully be out of this nasty bug.
ahmed
27. Aug, 2007
Hi, again Maltaannon. When are you going to release your training dvd?
By the way, which 3d package you use ; I hope Maya…
Franky
27. Aug, 2007
Hi,
because of my installation Problems,
i just tried to Open the “timeshuffler_std.ffx” through the Animationpresets Dialog in AE. Altgough it opens the Preset, it says “Class Effekt has no Method with the name slider…Expression deactivated”.
Is this becaause im using a German Version of AE?
Franky
Franky
27. Aug, 2007
Hey Maltannon u are really fast!
I just read that u already refreshed the files.
Sorry i didnt refresh my browseer so i Couldnt see ur quick response!
I Download the new Version and test it right away…
Maltaannon
27. Aug, 2007
Ahmed: I don’t really know yet. In a few months. I have some projects I have to finish first. And 3D package has nothing to do with my tutorials. I mean, it is irrelevant.
Franky: I wish i knew. Maybe thats it, but it would be kind of strange. Then exchanging presets even in their native FFX format would be impossible.
Btw. The installer is now updated. Go to the “What CustomEffects are” page and download the most recent version.
Franky
27. Aug, 2007
Hooray, it works!
Thank u Maltannon, GREAT!
Visit Germany, i Invite u to taste the good German Beer. U drink, I pay :)
Keep on doing your work here!
Franky
Franky
27. Aug, 2007
Hey,
funny thing I just found out using a mov AV-File.
Audio is also timeshuffling!
Could be used as AudioFX (Forwarding a Tape, scrubbing a Timeline ect.)
shyhalewd
31. Aug, 2007
I can’t find the mac version for download….I keep getting the polyce version for windows, not the XML version?
Maltaannon
31. Aug, 2007
Since TimeShuffler is the first CustomEffect I did, the ZIP file contains polyCE, and FFX file. FFX is for Mac users.
Ta Neil
05. Sep, 2007
Yeah I use windows xp and followed the directions and a warning box appears telling me there are five invalid arguements. It’s not working. Can you give me a way of loading this that works?
Maltaannon
06. Sep, 2007
If the Installer doesn’t work for you try using manual installation. You will find the instructions on the “What CustomEffects are” page.
Gregor
28. Sep, 2007
Please help me…I’m on a mac using cs3..and I don’t get your ffx file to work. When I doubleclick it, I get an error. So I tried to put it into my presets folder…but that doesnt seem to work either.
Thanks a lot in advance
Brian
01. Dec, 2007
My god, this really simplified a long going question of time remapping. I did have trouble finding the CE presets…i then realized they are on the tutorial pages. Maltaannon inspires me.
Bob
28. Feb, 2008
This tutorial is also awesome Maltaannon!, i don’t wan’t to know how much time it cost without your preset :o . It’s very usefull and unique, thanxs a lot !
Keep up the good work !
khaled
01. Mar, 2008
Thank’s
it’s agreat tutorial
Danilo TM
04. Apr, 2008
dear, mr. Jerzy!
Man, I just got to know your work two days ago and I am already becoming a big fan. Your tutorials and codes are fantastic and inspiring. I am enjoying the most watching and learning from them. Thanks!
I am not sure If anybody has ever told you that before but, anyway, I ended up figuring out by accident that it is much more simple to install yours CEs for AE CS3 on a Mac Intel machine than what you have told and what I have read here so far.
I just had to copy the unzipped archive folder of the CE (I’m not sure if it’s needed all the files but I toked them all anyway) and pasted them on this specific address on my Mac:
MacintoshHD/Library/ApplicationSupport/Adobe/Common/Plug-ins/CS3/MediaCore/maltaannon/CE…
Tanaaaaa! (as you like saying) thats all: no coding, no .xml, no nothing! Just reopen AE and thats it, they will be there.
At least it is working for me perfectly. I already downloaded the CEpixelsample, CEshapeextruder (amazing! – great works out from it) and CEtimeshufler… so far!
Well I will keep checking things here until I have seen it all for sure!
I am a recently graduated 24years designer here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, working on my demoReel now trying to get into the busines and you already are one of the guys behind this.
As soon as my Demo is ready (by the begging of next week – I hope), I will post it onLine and send you the link.
Man, thanks a loot once again and keep on what you are doing here! You are definably expanding all the boarders. Hope great success for you in you future. By the way, how old are you? just curiosity..
Have a good goulash, some fresh Kozel and give lots of kisses on the cute polish girls for me!
from a big fan,
Maltaannon
04. Apr, 2008
Hey Danito! Thanks for all the kind words. And as far as my CE are concerned…. dude… you won’t believe it, but i just finished programming a cross-platform CE Installer, that I will publish soon. To bad you didn’t found out about it earlier. But thanks a lot. I haven’t checked that yet, but will surely do. Thanks again. good luck with your demoreel.
Happy AfterEffecting!
roman
24. Apr, 2008
great! i will use this in one of my next projects. thanks!
TGD
26. May, 2008
[...] • 28 Comments [...]
ken
29. Dec, 2008
my working computer is not connecting to internet.Can i use this stuff?
thnx
Maltaannon
29. Dec, 2008
please rephrase the question
alex
07. Jan, 2009
Whenever I try to install it, it doesn’t install. I selected the Adobe after effects 7.0 folder and I click “ok” it doesn’t say “installation completed” or anything like that. The window closes and the Custom effects installer is still there with the “install” button.
Gabe
29. Jan, 2009
Hello, I was wonderin. what if u dont have cs3 I have cs4, does this plug in still work? and if so. I need help d/l it because im gettin the samething Alex got on Jenuary 7th at 1:27
Gabe
30. Jan, 2009
i jus read that u made ur plugins based off cs 2 & 3 is there n e way i could get this plug in/pre set. Ive looked and looked. i cant find ne thing n e where
thpriest
23. Feb, 2009
hi,
i can’t get the zip to download. whenever i try it takes me to a page of goobledygook text and nothing downloads. is there a problem with the link?
Maltaannon
28. Feb, 2009
Some users were expiericing the same problem, even though the link was fine. I just updated the delivery for CustomEffects. Try it now.
bazziam
27. Jul, 2009
hello,
i’ve been trying to install this effect all day. when the installer started to install, an error message comes up that says…”5 invalad procedure call or argument”. what did i do wrong.
Jerzy Drozda Jr
27. Jul, 2009
You downloaded a wrong version of the Installer. Does it look anything like on this tutorial: http://maltaannon.com/what-customeffects-are/ ? I guess not. You’ve probably downloaded it from Creative Cow or some place else. You should always download the files from the source – this site.
eathan28
09. Aug, 2009
i like it a loooooot! many masterr!
SeanH
31. Aug, 2009
Hi Maltaanon
I am a bit behind everyone here with getting this one for my AE 7.0, But I am getting Failed: Error #2058 message when I try to install the CE with the installer. Do you have any idea what I may be doing wrong? I tried to follow the steps as best as I could but I must have made a mistake along the way.
Jerzy Drozda Jr
01. Sep, 2009
No idea at the moment. Make sure you have the proper files. There are some old packages floating around the net on the installer and the CETimeshuffler that don’t work anymore due to some changes made to the packaging format. Redownload everything from this site and try again. If that doesn’t help let me know. I’ll look into it when I’ll get back from my short vacations. Remember that you can always just copy the FFX file. AE will say that the effect is “Missing” but it will still work.
SeanH
03. Sep, 2009
Hi Again Maltaanon
I manually installed the FFx file and the preset works great. You are really awsome and I never would have been able to figure out how to do this without having this preset that you have made. Thanks again and keep up the great tutorials they are excellent.
Cheers
Sean H
Sean H
03. Sep, 2009
Hi again Maltaanon
I manully installed the FFX file and it works great. I never would have been able to figure out how to do this without your preset plugin. Thanks again for all of the great tutorials and the CE’s
Cheers
Sean H
RICHARD
21. Oct, 2009
Thanks for this. I was trying to achieve exactly this effect, and came across your website through the Creative Cow post. This should save me a lot of headache!
Tristan
28. Nov, 2009
running snow leopard intel and got a #3001 Failed Error message when trying to install the ce file.
Any ideas? thanks!
tristan
Jerzy Drozda Jr
28. Nov, 2009
#3001 is Access Denied error. Please read the instruction on “CustomEffects” page from the top menu.
Ahmad
29. Mar, 2010
i cant download the timeshuffle i have after effect cs4
what is the solution
fireboltno2
30. May, 2010
Hi Maltaanon~
Is this presets avaiable if my after effects version is CS3?
I’ve tried to install this “TimeShuffler.ffx” but it couldn’t work.
When I apply ths preset a window pop up and says,
……Undefined value used in expression. Could be an out of range subscript …..
Error occuried at line0.
Comp: ‘Comp 1′
Layer:1( ‘Pre-comp1′ )”
I’ve checked the expression of time remap, and it seemed weird…
Jerzy Drozda Jr
31. May, 2010
Yes. It does work in CS3. Even in CS2. Everything should be just fine.
Kriss
05. Jul, 2010
Hello ! ^_^
A version for Photoshop CS 5 (64 bit) is it planned ?
Thanx.
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