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Absolute Layer Possition [toWorld() expression]
Hello,
Im trying to calculate a layer position relative to the world. The reason being is that I want to calculate the distance between two layers and not get interference when one of those layers gets parented.
My Expression seems to work, BUT … it seems that the world position is calculated from the top left corner. I’ve solved that with adding the X and Y from the layers anchor point, but it fails when the layer gets rotated.
To put it in other words. If I have a Layer with position values [960,540], after I parent it I want those values to remain the same, so my distance calculation remains accurate.
Any solutions?
Thank you very much.
Layer = [whateverlayer];A = Layer.toWorld(anchorPoint);
X= A[0] + Layer.anchorPoint[0];
Y= A[1] + Layer.anchorPoint[1];AbsPos = [X,Y];
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6 Replies
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Depending on what type of layer you’re dealing with, this might work:
L = thisComp.layer(“Null 1”);
L.toWorld([L.width,L.height]/2)Dan
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Hello Dan,
Thank you very much for your reply.
Your solution works really well, but when the layer is a shape layer it doesn’t work unfortunately. For some bizarre reason anchor point coordinates for a solid layer and a shape layer are different, when they are in the same spot.
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Shape layers are trickier. Try this:
L = thisComp.layer(“Shape Layer 1”);
r = L.sourceRectAtTime(time,false);
L.toWorld([r.left + r.width/2,r.top + r.height/2])Dan
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Hi Dan,
I wanted to know how I could convert the local coordinates of a nested Shape Group to it’s absolute World(Comp) position?
I’m developing a rig using nested Shape Groups within a single Shape Layer and wanted to know how I could obtain the Global position of a nested Shape Group. I’m trying to use the toWorld or toComp functions but those methods don’t seem to work within Shape Layer contents. I keep getting errors.
As an example, lets say I have a Shape Layer called Controls. Within the shape layer, I have 2 Shape Groups, Group A and Group B. Within Group A, I have 2 other groups, Group A1 and Group A2. The position values of Group A1 and A2 are relative to Group A. Essentially, if I move Group A into position, Group A1 and A2 will follow but I still have independent control over the two nested groups. I’d like to convert the local value of the nest groups to either a World position or Comp position.
If I can obtain this number then I can link anything to the individual Shape Groups regardless of how it’s parented/nested.
I’ve read previous forum posts where you’ve mentioned something like:
L = thisComp.layer(“Null 1”);
p = L.toComp(L.anchorPoint);
fromComp(p)But this structure doesn’t seem to work with Shape Layer groups.
In the first line I can’t point directly to the Shape Layer Group Name. AE won’t let me pick whip it. I have to explicitly point to the Position property of the Nest Group. Which works, but that’s not the value I want.
Once I point to the Position property of the Nested Shape Group, then the second line will throw an error stating that “l.toComp is undefined”
Thanks in advanced.
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Long shot here.
Did you ever solve this Problem?
I got something similar, where i want to parent the anchorpoint and position of a shape group to a Null Layer. -
Man, this was so long ago that I can barely remember what I was working on at the time. I believe I was trying to do a Squash and Stretch rig. I think I got it to work, but I’d have to dig threw old files to find it. The solution I came up with has actually been implemented directly in After Effects now.
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