Moving anchor point and parenting layers

Technical Support
1

Hey guys, Im new to this tool and I need some guidance.

Im working with character animation in AE and when I open “Hand” composition I need to move the anchor points to the top centre of each layer (that’s usually where the arm parts connect) and then I need to parent respective layers to one another. The composition always contains of 3 layers (which are named 1, 2 and 3). 3 being the wrist and 1 being the shoulder.
So I need help with:

  1. In the composition the tool needs to identify precomps with the name “Hand”
  2. Move the anchor points inside “Hand” comp
  3. Parent all 3 parts to one another inside “Hand” comp

Here how it looks inside “Hand” comp

Screenshot 2024-08-29 at 10.53.15
Screenshot 2024-08-29 at 10.53.15825×772 88.2 KB

Thanks!

2

Hi @anetka03, Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the detailed explanation, it really helps!

this automation is straight forward, you need to:

  1. loop over the layers in the active comp.
  2. find layers with the name “Hand” that are also precomps.
  3. loop over these compositions.
  4. reposition the anchor point of each layer.
  5. save 3 layer variables, 1 for each layer (1,2,3).
  6. set the parent of layer 3 to layer 2.
  7. set the parent of layer 2 to layer 1.

Here is the automation:
Hand Connector.zip (2.1 KB)

(The automation will work only if the hand is in the resting state, so each part should have 0 rotation, it is needed for the reposition anchor point to work correctly)

Please Let me know if you have questions, I added a comment for each line.

1 Like
3

Thank you so much, that worked!

Also I have one more automation in mind but it might be more complex. If you are willing to help me out with this I’d be more than grateful, if not, maybe you can just point me to resources where I can learn how to do it myself.
So the deal is that I have 2 precompositions (Leg 1, Leg 2) in resting state and 2 precompositions (Leg 1 walk, Leg 2 walk) with walking cycle. I want to be able to toggle between the two states, so the character walks and then stops when needed.

I assume I need to precomp Legs in resting state and Legs in walking cycle but after that Im not sure how to proceed and whether it’s the task for this tool even :slight_smile:

Thanks! @alonshemer

4

@anetka03 I am happy to help with the automation, that’s why this forum exists :grinning:

as for the next automation,

I can help you automate your existing workflow, but unfortunately I cant help you with the workflow itself as I am not quite familiar with character animation best practices and workflows.

maybe you can create a checkbox effect that will toggle the opacity between the rest pose and the walk cycle.

make sure you find a manual way to create the character rig and then we can try to automate the creation of it.