Marker Pop

Layer pops and settles every time the playhead passes a layer marker — perfect for music beats.

Expression Code

// Marker Pop
// Apply to Scale — add layer markers where you want the pops

amp = 15;    // Pop strength (percent added to scale)
freq = 3;    // Wobbles per second within each pop
decay = 5;   // How quickly each pop settles

n = 0;
if (marker.numKeys > 0) {
  n = marker.nearestKey(time).index;
  if (marker.key(n).time > time) { n = n - 1; }
}

if (n > 0) {
  t = time - marker.key(n).time;
  pop = amp * Math.sin(freq * t * 2 * Math.PI) / Math.exp(decay * t);
  value + [pop, pop];
} else {
  value;
}

Apply to Scale, then add layer markers (select the layer and press the * key on the numeric keypad) wherever you want a pop. At each marker the layer scales up and springs back down with a decaying wobble. Move, add or delete markers and the animation follows — no keyframes involved. Works during playback too: tap * in time with your music to place beats live.

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