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How to link many compositions to the same animation keyframes?
Here’s something I have been fiddling with the last few AE projects, and that I would really, REALLY like an answer to by now:
Let’s say we are creating a brief breaker swipe animation where a solid layer is quickly drawn across the screen. Easy enough: create a solid layer, and animate this layer with some nice, intricate adjustments to the speed graph. But what if I needed that breaker animation in 26 different colours and wanted to be able to adjust the motion of the swipe in a single place and not within the 26 color variation compositions? Also, I might have to go back and adjust the movement later, so I want those animation properties in one place only.How is that possible?
I tried: Putting all animation content into a null-object in a composition (called “Nice movement”). Then I created another composition called “Breaker color red” with the visual content. Into “Breaker color red” I added composition “Nice movement” and parented visual content to this composition. Does nothing.
A composition contains only keyframes in relation to visual content, and a null-object can’t link outside of the composition in which it appears. Right?
What have I gotten wrong? Need someone to look at this with kind eyes. Thanks so much.
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4 Replies
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[Armin Saxkop] “A composition contains only keyframes in relation to visual content, and a null-object can’t link outside of the composition in which it appears. Right?”
That’s not correct. Expressions can refer to layers in other comps.
Check this out:
https://blogs.adobe.com/creativecloud/favorite-features-in-cc-versions-of-after-effects-property-links/Walter Soyka
Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
@keenlive | RenderBreak [blog] | Profile [LinkedIn] -
Walter, thanks for reading my post and responding. Property links looks like they will allow me to do what I am requesting.
Problem is, I’m using CS6.
Is there a way of achieving the flexibility I’m requesting by means of null-objects or precomposing or parenting?
I am a bit daunted by expressions. Again, thanks. -
Set up your master controller comp. Duplicate it to create a follower comp. Tear off the master controller comp’s timeline tab and place it above the follower comp.
Reveal all animated properties in both comps. For each one, alt+click the stopwatch for the property in the follower comp, and use the pickwhip to select the corresponding property in the controller comp.
Check out this screenshot:
Walter Soyka
Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
@keenlive | RenderBreak [blog] | Profile [LinkedIn] -
YES! This works exactly as you described. And it is EXACTLY what I wanted to do. I might even learn a bit about “expressions” along the way, but best of all now I can spend my time experimenting instead of menial clicking across many compositions. You made my night. Thanks Walter.
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