Pan Behind Numerically?

[Kevin Camp]

you might try using a null object (layer>new>null) as the rotation point for the camera. make the null 3d, then position it where you need to rotate around (you could animate the position if it needed to say track an object).

then parent the camera to the null. now you can rotate the null to have the camera swing around that point. if you needed to say truck the camera in/out on that point you would just animate the camera (not the null) on its z position.

is something like this what you were after?

Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW

[Aaron Benoit]

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for the advice – but perhaps I didn’t make myself clear – the “pan behind” that I was referring to wasn’t a camera move but instead the actual ‘pan behind tool’ (y). I was trying to figure a way to keep my 2d comp intact while changing anchor points numerically without having to offset the position by hand.

Thanks,
AB

[Patrick Hearn]

Create an expression on the property: position. (Alt + Click on the stopwatch)
Enter this:

x=thisLayer.position[0];
y=thisLayer.position[1];
Ax=thisLayer.anchor[0];
Ay=thisLayer.anchor[1];

[x+Ax, y+Ay]

This will at first mess up your comp, you will prob have to rearrange some things, but it will mean you’re able to move anchor point without affecting position.

(There’s a better way of doing this, I’m sure. So I’m well prepared to be shamed into submission by Dan Ebberts. This was just my first thought, I’ll have another look and post again I I get a better solution)

[Patrick Hearn]

x=thisLayer.position[0];
y=thisLayer.position[1];
Ax=thisLayer.anchor[0];
Ay=thisLayer.anchor[1];

[x+Ax-(width/2), y+Ay-(height/2)]

That should be better, assuming that previously all your anchor points were in the centre of the layers.