# Batch Operations Guide
## Efficient Keyframe Animation
Instead of calling `set_keyframe` multiple times, use `batch_keyframes` for better performance.
### Example: Animating Multiple Properties
**Inefficient approach (6 separate calls):**
```javascript
// Each call creates a separate command file and script execution
await set_keyframe({ compId: 1, layerIndex: 1, property: "Position", time: 0, value: [100, 100] });
await set_keyframe({ compId: 1, layerIndex: 1, property: "Position", time: 1, value: [200, 200] });
await set_keyframe({ compId: 1, layerIndex: 1, property: "Scale", time: 0, value: [100, 100] });
await set_keyframe({ compId: 1, layerIndex: 1, property: "Scale", time: 1, value: [150, 150] });
await set_keyframe({ compId: 1, layerIndex: 1, property: "Rotation", time: 0, value: 0 });
await set_keyframe({ compId: 1, layerIndex: 1, property: "Rotation", time: 1, value: 360 });
```
**Efficient approach (1 batch call):**
```javascript
await batch_keyframes({
compId: 1,
keyframes: [
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Position", time: 0, value: [100, 100] },
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Position", time: 1, value: [200, 200] },
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Scale", time: 0, value: [100, 100] },
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Scale", time: 1, value: [150, 150] },
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Rotation", time: 0, value: 0 },
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Rotation", time: 1, value: 360 }
]
});
```
### Example: Animating Multiple Layers
```javascript
await batch_keyframes({
compId: 1,
keyframes: [
// Layer 1 - Fade in
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Opacity", time: 0, value: 0 },
{ layerIndex: 1, property: "Opacity", time: 1, value: 100 },
// Layer 2 - Scale up
{ layerIndex: 2, property: "Scale", time: 0, value: [0, 0] },
{ layerIndex: 2, property: "Scale", time: 1, value: [100, 100] },
// Layer 3 - Slide in from left
{ layerIndex: 3, property: "Position", time: 0, value: [-500, 540] },
{ layerIndex: 3, property: "Position", time: 1, value: [960, 540] }
]
});
```
## Batch Layer Creation
Use `batch_create_layers` to create multiple layers at once:
```javascript
await batch_create_layers({
compId: 1,
layers: [
{
type: "text",
name: "Title",
properties: {
text: "Welcome",
position: [960, 200],
scale: [150, 150]
}
},
{
type: "solid",
name: "Background",
properties: {
color: [0.2, 0.3, 0.8],
opacity: 80
}
},
{
type: "shape",
name: "Circle",
properties: {
position: [960, 540],
scale: [200, 200]
}
}
]
});
```
## General Batch Execution
For mixed operations, use `batch_execute`:
```javascript
await batch_execute({
commands: [
{
tool: "create_composition",
params: { name: "Comp 1", width: 1920, height: 1080, duration: 10 },
id: "comp1"
},
{
tool: "create_composition",
params: { name: "Comp 2", width: 1920, height: 1080, duration: 10 },
id: "comp2"
},
{
tool: "save_project",
params: { filePath: "/path/to/project.aep" },
id: "save"
}
],
sequential: false // Execute in parallel when possible
});
```
## Performance Benefits
- **Reduced file I/O**: One command file instead of many
- **Single script execution**: After Effects runs one script with loops
- **Less overhead**: Fewer round trips between MCP and After Effects
- **Atomic operations**: All keyframes in a batch succeed or fail together
## Best Practices
1. **Group related keyframes**: Batch all keyframes for a single animation together
2. **Use appropriate batch size**: 50-100 keyframes per batch is usually optimal
3. **Consider dependencies**: Use `sequential: true` in `batch_execute` when order matters
4. **Handle failures**: Check the results array for any failed operations
