<p>Typo on line 2. It should be <code>thisComp.layer("DotMaster").index</code> not <code>-index</code>.</p>

<p>Also, while it's valid, the first parameter to the <code>random</code> function on second last line <code>-randomTimeAmount</code> makes me nervous. I'd recommend changing it to <code>0-randomTimeAmount</code>. It's more explicit, and less prone to accidental typos.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-08T01:25:49.913Z
2019-11-08T01:25:49.913Z
stib
<p>I can't figure out why I'm getting the error... Any ideas?! I tried adding "var" at the beginning of the first line, but that didn't work. Not sure what to try now! Help anyone?</p>

<p>Below is my code. The error reads: "object of type Layer found where a number, array or property is needed."</p>



<pre><code>timeOffset=thisComp.layer("Mograph Control").effect("timeOffset(frames)")("Slider")/24;
myIndex=thisComp.layer("DotMaster")-index;


seedRandom=(index, timeless=false);
randomTimeAmount=thisComp.layer("Mograph Control").effect("randomTime(frames)")("Slider")/24;
randomActualAmount=random(-randomTimeAmount, randomTimeAmount);

baseTime+(myIndex*timeOffset)+randomActualAmount;
</code></pre>

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<after-effects><animation><after-effects-expressions><motion-graphics>
AE Expressions question - why isn't my code working?
Shir L
# AE Expressions question - why isn't my code working?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-11-06)

I can't figure out why I'm getting the error... Any ideas?! I tried adding "var" at the beginning of the first line, but that didn't work. Not sure what to try now! Help anyone?
Below is my code. The error reads: "object of type Layer found where a number, array or property is needed."
timeOffset=thisComp.layer("Mograph Control").effect("timeOffset(frames)")("Slider")/24;
myIndex=thisComp.layer("DotMaster")-index;


seedRandom=(index, timeless=false);
randomTimeAmount=thisComp.layer("Mograph Control").effect("randomTime(frames)")("Slider")/24;
randomActualAmount=random(-randomTimeAmount, randomTimeAmount);

baseTime+(myIndex*timeOffset)+randomActualAmount;

**Tags:** after-effects, animation, after-effects-expressions, motion-graphics


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-11-08. Score: 0

Typo on line 2. It should be `thisComp.layer("DotMaster").index` not `-index`.

Also, while it's valid, the first parameter to the `random` function on second last line `-randomTimeAmount` makes me nervous. I'd recommend changing it to `0-randomTimeAmount`. It's more explicit, and less prone to accidental typos.


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