Scaling multiple layers and keeping the alignment without a null layer

[Tudor “ted” jelescu]

If it’s just the scale of your objects and not the position, then you need to parent the scale of each to the scale of the Null and animate the thickness of the Beam in the plugin.
If you want to scale as a whole, then precompose and scale the layer.
Other than that it all goes out of wack as soon as you start linking the second object

Tudor “Ted” Jelescu
Senior VFX Artist

[Walter Soyka]

[Julia Hoerr] “I use a layer with a beam effect applied to. To each end of the beam I attached an object. Now everything is lined up pretty and works fine. But I would like to be able to scale the three layers up and down, just as needed. “

I usually like to work the other way, attaching the ends of the beam to the object. Using expressions and toComp(), we can build a rig that works with or without parenting.

Check out this AEP (requires CS6 or higher):
9852_aebeamdemo.aep.zip

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

[Julia Hoerr]

Thank you all very much for your help. With your suggestiona I found a good working way to change the scaling and even the position of my beam animation. I have to change the thickness of the beam manually according to the scaling, but thats ok.
So, thanks again. This forum is great.