Parent null object to a mask

[Walter Soyka]

With the latest release of After Effects, we now have expression access to mask paths and vertices:
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/animating-shape-paths-masks.html#ExpressionaccesstopathpointsonmasksBeziershapesandbrushstrokes

That means you could write an expression that allows a null to track a mask as if it were parented. Dave’s question is right on: what is it you’re trying to do?

Walter Soyka
Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
@keenlive   |   RenderBreak [blog]   |   Profile [LinkedIn]

[Matt Davis]

This thread never went to the finish line. ☺

But since I’m trying to do something along these lines maybe I’ll pick it up.

I’m convinced that I’ve managed something like this before but I’m having a hard time remembering how, so maybe someone can help.

I’m trying to create an effect with a magnifying glass. The actual magnifying through the glass part is easy enough, but for part of my effect the glass is meant to reveal something that isn’t there when the magnifying glass isn’t over it.

So what I need to do is one part magnifying glass, one part x-ray machine, I guess. lol

It’s a video about high tech fraud and one layer is a globe, one layer is a magnifying glass and another layer is a matrix type screen of animated code. When the magnifying glass passes over the globe, it magnifies the globe but also reveals the animated code. Get it? ☺

I’m looking for an easier way to have the mask follow the magnifying glass around. Right now I’ve made a mask on the “x-ray layer” lined up with the glass of the magnifying glass and then keyframed the masks’ path to follow the magnifying glass. But anytime I need to tweak the motion of the glass, I need to redo all my keyframes too. It’s one of those “there has to be a better way” moments.

Thanks in advance.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

In your case you can use track mattes, you can parent them to the magnifying glass, or parent all the layers that need to move together to a null object.

Kalleheikki Kannisto
Senior Graphic Designer

[Matt Davis]

“Sokath, his eyes open!”

Thanks, I knew there was a way. 🙂

[Matt Davis]

That would have been so much easier than the way I did it. lol

[Mark Palmos]

OMG YES, that works for me too, thank you!