# MENTORbot
**AI-powered After Effects guru**  
By The2457 Design — apps.the2457design.com

---

## What is MENTORbot?
MENTORbot is an Adobe After Effects panel that answers your AE questions using Google Gemini AI, completely free. Ask how to do anything in After Effects and get a clear, practical answer directly inside your panel.

---

## Installation

### Step 1 : Run the install script to enable the panel

Adobe After Effects does not load custom panels by default. You need to unlock this once.

**Windows:** Right-click Install.bat → Run as administrator → click Yes when prompted. 
This automatically updates your Windows Registry to allow custom panels in After Effects.

**Mac:** Double-click `Install.command`  
This automatically runs the required Terminal commands to allow custom panels in After Effects.

> If Mac says the file can't be opened: right-click the file → Open → click Open anyway

You only need to do this once. It does not affect any other software.

---

### Step 2 : Copy the MENTORbot folder

**Windows:** Copy the `MENTORbot` folder to:
```
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\
```
If the `extensions` folder does not exist, create it manually.

**Mac:** Copy the `MENTORbot` folder to:
```
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/
```
To get there on Mac: open Finder → click Go in the top menu → Go to Folder → paste the path above → press Enter.

---

### Step 3 : Open in After Effects

1. Restart After Effects completely
2. Go to **Window** in the top menu → **Extensions** → **MENTORbot**
3. The panel opens, follow the on-screen setup steps to activate

---

## First Time Setup : Get Your Free API Key

MENTORbot uses Google Gemini AI. You need a free API key from Google to activate it. No credit card required.

1. Click **Open Google AI Studio** inside the panel and your browser will open
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Agree to Google's developer terms (free, one-time only)
4. Click **Create API key** and your key appears on screen
5. Copy the key and paste it into the panel input field
6. Click **Connect** and you're ready to use MENTORbot

Your key is stored only on your machine, never shared with anyone.

---

## How to Use

### Select a filter first
MENTORbot is specifically designed to answer After Effects questions only. All answers are already filtered to stay strictly within After Effects, if your question is off-topic, MENTORbot will let you know and ask you to rephrase.

Choose the filter that best matches your question:

- **AE How To** Use this for general After Effects questions: how to use tools, navigate panels, set up compositions, work with layers, keyframes, masks, effects, and anything inside the After Effects interface.

- **AE Native Plugins** Use this for questions about effects and plugins that come built into After Effects, such as Warp Stabilizer, Content Aware Fill, Puppet Tool, Roto Brush, and all other effects found in the Effects & Presets panel that do not require a separate installation.

- **AE 3rd Party Plugins** Use this for questions about plugins you install separately, such as RSMB (ReelSmart Motion Blur), Element 3D, Optical Flares, Red Giant suite, Video Copilot tools, and similar third-party products.

- **Scripting** Use this for writing After Effects expressions (the JavaScript-based formulas applied to properties), ExtendScript automation scripts, and any code-related AE questions. Answers will include ready-to-use code.

- **Tips & Tricks / How To** Use this for workflow tips, keyboard shortcuts, best practices, technique suggestions, and efficiency improvements inside After Effects.

### Ask your question
Type your question in the input field and press **Enter** to submit.

### Read the answer
The answer appears directly below your question inside the panel. Scroll down if the answer is long.

---

## Log Files

Every answer is automatically saved to a log file on your computer, no action needed.

**Where are the log files saved?**

- **Windows:** `C:\Users\YourName\Documents\MENTORbot Logs\`  
  (YourName is your Windows username)
- **Mac:** `/Users/YourName/Documents/MENTORbot Logs/`  
  (YourName is your Mac username)

You can also find it by opening your Documents folder, look for the `MENTORbot Logs` folder inside.

One file is saved per question. Filename format: `FilterName-Keyword-Date-Time.txt`  
Example: `AEHowTo-Loop-260416-143022.txt`

To change where log files are saved: click the gear icon → Settings → Log Folder → Choose Folder.

---

## Settings

Click the **gear icon** in the top right corner to access Settings:

- **API Key** replace or update your Gemini API key
- **Log Folder** change where log files are saved on your computer
- **Model** switch between Gemini models (gemini-2.5-flash is recommended for free tier)
- **Reset** clear all settings and start fresh from the beginning

---

## Updating from a Previous Version

Your settings, API key, and log folder are stored on your machine and will not be affected by an update.

### Windows
1. Go to `C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\`
2. Delete the existing `MENTORbot` folder
3. Copy the new `MENTORbot` folder from the zip into the same location
4. Restart After Effects

### Mac
1. Go to `/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/`
2. Delete the existing `MENTORbot` folder
3. Copy the new `MENTORbot` folder from the zip into the same location
4. Run `Install.command` again to apply any new panel settings
5. Restart After Effects

---

## Troubleshooting

**Panel not showing under Window → Extensions:**
- Make sure you ran the install script first (Step 1)
- Make sure the folder is named exactly `MENTORbot` with no extra characters
- Restart After Effects completely after copying the folder

**"Key format invalid" error:**
- Your Gemini API key may start with `AQ.` (new format) or `AIzaSy` (old format), both are valid
- Make sure you copied the full key with no extra spaces before or after

**"Invalid API key" or HTTP 400 error:**
- Your key may have been deleted or expired in Google AI Studio
- Go to aistudio.google.com/apikey, create a new key, and paste it in Settings → reset/update

**"Rate limit" error:**
- The free tier allows 10 requests per minute
- Wait about a minute and try again

**Panel appears blank or white:**
- Restart After Effects completely
- Make sure the install script ran successfully (Step 1)

---

## Free Tier Limits (Google Gemini)
- gemini-2.5-flash: 250 requests/day · 10 requests/minute
- No credit card required
- More than sufficient for normal daily use

---

## About
MENTORbot v1.2.1
AI-powered After Effects guru  
The2457 Design - apps.the2457design.com
