• Adobe After Effects Expressions

  rotating in a circle but remaining horizontal …

  Posted by Tim West on December 8, 2008 at 8:27 pm

  Hi,

  I am trying to build an animation where several rectangular icons (e.g. 10) are arranged in a circle (see image).
  I would like to rotate the circle of icons so that they remain horizontal (e.g. the icons do not rotate with the circle but inherit the circular motion).

  Can anyone give me any ideas on how to write an expression for this (or is there an easier way, without key framing each icon individually?)

  Any help appreciated!

  Thanks

  Tim West replied 17 years, 5 months ago 2 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  Dan Ebberts

  December 8, 2008 at 9:39 pm

  Sure, put a null at the center, make it the parent of all the icons, add this rotation expression to each icon:

  -thisComp.layer(“Null 1”).transform.rotation

  Then just rotate the null.

  Dan
• 

  Tim West

  December 8, 2008 at 9:57 pm

  Hi Dan,

  Was just reading your tutorial on Motionscript!

  I’ve tried your above expression but have found the icons just twirl round whilst following the nulls rotation – I need them to remain horizontal (a bit like chairs in a big wheel ride at a fair!)

  Will keep playing – but any ideas appreciated!

  Thanks again for your time and help 🙂
• 

  Dan Ebberts

  December 8, 2008 at 10:10 pm

  Did you include the minus sign at the front of the expression?

  Dan
• 

  Tim West

  December 8, 2008 at 10:13 pm

  doh! have now and it works a treat – thanks so much for your help – definitely going to spend some quality time on your website 🙂
  have a great day and thanks again!

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