Creating Expression and saving it as Preset | Adobe After Effects Expressions

The wiggle expression in Adobe After Effects is one of the most powerful tools for creating randomized movementwithout manual keyframing. It allows you to add natural motion to position, scale, rotation, and even effects. However, many beginners struggle with controlling it, leading to erratic animations that lack refinement.

In this guide, we’ll demystify the wiggle expression, showing you how to use it properly, control it effectively, and apply it dynamically within your animations. By the end, you’ll know how to:

✅ Apply the wiggle expression to any transform property. ✅ Use null objects and sliders to control the frequency and amplitude. ✅ Integrate wiggle with animation principles like anticipation. ✅ Save your wiggle setup as an animation preset for future projects.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Setting Up the Composition

Before applying the wiggle expression, we need to create a working composition.

1. Create a New Composition:
   • Name it Wiggle Comp
   • Set dimensions: 1920x1080 (HD resolution)
   • Frame rate: 24 FPS
   • Duration: 15 seconds
2. Add a Shape Layer:
   • Select the Ellipse Tool (Q) and create a small circle.
   • Rename the layer to Circle.
3. Open the Position Property:
   • Select the Circle layer.
   • Press P to reveal the Position property.

Now we’re ready to apply the wiggle expression!

Step 2: Basic Wiggle Expression

To apply the wiggle expression:

1. Alt/Option + Click on the Position stopwatch.
2. Type the following expression:

   wiggle(5,100);

   • 5 is the frequency (times per second the object moves).
   • 100 is the amplitude (maximum movement in pixels).

Previewing the Animation

• Press Spacebar to play the animation.
• The circle moves randomly within a 100-pixel range at 5 movements per second.

You can experiment with different values:

• Slow movement: wiggle(1,50);
• Fast and erratic: wiggle(10,200);

✅ Pro Tip: You can apply wiggle to any transform property—position, scale, rotation, opacity, or even effects.

Step 3: Applying Wiggle to Multiple Properties

To wiggle multiple properties:

1. Open additional transform properties:
   • S for Scale
   • R for Rotation
   • T for Opacity
2. Alt/Option + Click on each stopwatch.
3. Enter a customized wiggle expression for each property:

   wiggle(3,30);  // Scale
   wiggle(2,20);  // Rotation
   wiggle(1,50);  // Opacity

4. Preview the animation.

Now the shape has random movement across multiple parameters, creating a more organic feel.

Step 4: Controlling the Wiggle Expression with Sliders

By default, wiggle affects the entire animation. But what if you only want it at a specific moment? The solution is using a null object with slider controls.

1. Create a Null Object

• Go to Layer > New > Null Object.
• Rename it to Wiggle Master.

2. Add Slider Controls

• Select Wiggle Master.
• Go to Effects > Expression Controls > Slider Control.
• Add two sliders and rename them:
  • Frequency (for speed)
  • Amplitude (for intensity)

3. Link the Sliders to the Wiggle Expression

• Open the Circle position expression.
• Modify the expression:

  freq = thisComp.layer("Wiggle Master").effect("Frequency")("Slider");
  amp = thisComp.layer("Wiggle Master").effect("Amplitude")("Slider");
  wiggle(freq, amp);

• Now, adjusting the slider values in Wiggle Master changes the wiggle effect dynamically!

✅ Pro Tip: You can animate the sliders to increase and decrease the wiggle over time.

Step 5: Controlling Wiggle Timing with Keyframes

Problem: Wiggle Applies to the Whole Animation

To limit the wiggle effect to specific frames:

1. Set keyframes for the Frequency and Amplitude sliders.
2. Example keyframe settings:
   • Start: Frequency = 0, Amplitude = 0
   • At impact: Frequency = 10, Amplitude = 50
   • End: Frequency = 0, Amplitude = 0

Now, the wiggle only occurs when needed!

✅ Best Use Case: Impact animations, shaking effects, object anticipation.

Step 6: Saving the Wiggle Setup as an Animation Preset

Once you have the Wiggle Master setup, save it for future projects.

1. Select the Wiggle Master Layer

• Press U to reveal keyframed expressions.
• Select Frequency, Amplitude, and Position expressions.

2. Save as an Animation Preset

• Go to Animation > Save Animation Preset.
• Choose a folder inside Adobe > After Effects > Presets.
• Name it Wiggle Master Preset.

3. Applying the Preset

• In a new project, go to Effects & Presets.
• Search for Wiggle Master Preset.
• Drag it onto a null object.

Now, you can reuse the wiggle setup instantly!

Conclusion

By following this guide, you have learned how to apply, control, and refine the wiggle expression in After Effects. The wiggle expression is a powerful tool, and when used correctly, it enhances motion graphics significantly.

Watch Complete Tutorials here