[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

Since you have exr images, see if making the comp 16 or 32 bits makes a difference.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

Yes, select the layers, then choose “Options for selection” in the layer menu.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

Here’s how the test document I made looks in AE and AI. I used your moon example.

I created the paths at two different frame rates, 25fps and 5fps. Both paths are copied over to AI and you can see the resulting anchor points.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

Ok, I see, you have a parented object that you want to create a motion path for so as to copy it to illustrator.

After some trial and error, I discovered a way to do so:

1) Make sure that the anchor point of the object you want to create the path for is in the center (or at the point you want the path to follow)

2) Create a null with the following expression for its position:

M =thisComp.layer("Layer to Follow here");
pos = M.toWorld(M.anchorPoint);
pos

(Now your null should follow the object.)

3) Use Animation > Keyframe Assistant > Convert Expressions to Keyframes for the Null’s position

4) Delete expression from the Null

5) Copy position keyframes

6) Create a new solid with a mask

7) Paste position keyframes to mask

(You should now have a mask path of same shape)

8) Copy mask path

9) Paste in Illustrator (note: the path may be rather large initially, so you may have to zoom out to see it)

If all goes well, you’ll now have a path in Illustrator that follows the object’s motion exactly.

You’ll have points at every keyframe, but the good news is that they are bezier paths. Interestingly enough, you can control the amount of points created by changing the frame rate. AE does a great job creating bezier curves between the keyframes.

This is a great idea, glad you asked. It opens up an interesting way of generating Illustrator art from motion.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

For no-plug-in approach, see this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elHqinIm4RI

Then there are plug-ins such as Plexus that make this much less a manual task.

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[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

I would tend to think it is a Windows issue not an Illustrator issue. Or then a conflicting combination thereof. The application window is not being fully drawn. But since you know what started it, the best solution would most likely be to revert the theme to what it was before.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

Envelope Distort > Make with Mesh.

3 columns, 1 row is probably good for this purpose.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

My belief is that as long as you keep the trace “live” i.e. editable, the source image is kept, but the moment you expand appearance on the Image Trace, it is removed.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

I believe that is mostly done using Trim Paths with the text converted to shapes. Two copies of text are used, one red, one white and the Trim Paths are animated differently so that the red draws on slightly earlier. At least you can get very close to that result.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

Convert text layer to shapes, add Trim Paths to shape content, animate Trim Paths end point.