# BeatGrid
Based on a great idea for a [BPM grid overlay](http://www.sandervandijk.tv/after-effects-features/timeline#1.2-bpm-grid) for the Ae timeline by [Sander Van Dijk](http://www.sandervandijk.tv/). Though not as robust as an integrated solution, it does provide enough to synchronize elements to 4/4 beats with markers and keyframes.
### Snapping
The major benefit of BeatGrid is to create points in time to snap animation to. Select the BeatGrid layer and press `U` on the keyboard to reveal the individual beats. Hold the `SHIFT` key when dragging a layer's start, end and keyframes to snap to the revealed keyframes. This a behavior of Ae and can be useful for aligning elements to the music tempo as well as any other alignment needs.
### Layout timing before music
When I start a project I will often have a target length in mind but I need to know what musical timing would fit based on the number of measures and how I want the music to progress or resolve through the video. Whether you're writing music or searching for a track that will fit a project length, knowing a rough musical timing can be very valuable.
## Download
{% file src="/files/-LyZl0qVMjO8R2FuVNWE" %}
### [Install](/freebies/master.md#script-panel)
Requirements: After Effects CS6+
## Usage
BeatGrid's controls are very simple. Enter the *beats per minute* numerically or using the -/+ buttons then click either the `♩`or `♬ ♬` buttons. A new empty shape layer will be created with markers on it. Marker 1 (at the start of the timeline) represents the first bar of music including the length of the bar. The next marker will be labeled 5 because it is the 5th bar and the start of the next 4 bar phrase, and so on until the end of the comp.
This in not the place for music theory, but BeatGrid provides two levels of granularity.
### Quarter notes - ♩
Pressing U will reveal a set of keyframes aligned to the beats that are normally counted:
1, 2, 3, 4 - 2, 2, 3, 4 - 3, 2, 3, 4 - 4, 2, 3, 4
### Sixteenth notes - ♬ ♬
For more subdivision that is still linked to the time of the music, 16th notes provide extra flexibility, but may also be hidden with `SHIFT` + `P` on the keyboard.
## FAQ
### Are the markers and keys aligned to frame?
Nope. The point if this is to provide musical timing markers, and this means they will not always line up to your frame-rate. But that's ok. Using `SHIFT` to snap keys or layers will round to the nearest frame.
### Why not just have all the beats as markers on the layer?
Rather than destroy you timeline with markers or wreck the ability to use `J`/`K` keyboard shortcuts to navigate the timeline, there are multiple levels of detail. This is a choice for an extra step, but I prefer the ability to zoom out and see less musical detail. Similar to an audio DAW like Ableton, Audition, Logic.
## Feedback
Got some ideas on how to make this better? Email me at
## Change log
### 1.00 - 2020-01-14
#### Initial release
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