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T
trjprae
Known Participant
September 16, 2018
Answered

Any methods better than key-framing?

  • September 16, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 903 views

Hey everyone, so I have created a "magical particle trail" and a "magical ball". The particle is emitting from the light which is parented to the null object called "emitter". Now I want the magical ball to follow along the beginning of the particle trail but don't want to keyframe it because I am lazy (lol). I tried parenting the magical ball to the null object but it is not precise. Are there any better methods than just keyframing?

https://imgur.com/a/bK8YUwU

Thanks for any help!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer angie_taylor

First of all, are you using Particular? If you are you should not use parenting as a way of controlling the particle emitter position. Instead, choose a light emitter and then create a Light named emitter, you can then animate the light and the particles will follow. you can also use the cone angle etc of the light to control the particles further.

If you are using one of the built in particle effects, don't use parenting to link the position. Instead, use expressions to link the particle's own, built in position property to the the light's position property. You can also link the magic ball to the same property using the same method. It will be more precise as it allows you to change or tweak the values. Plus, the particles will react to the motion. With Parenting they won't.

See this course to learn more about expressions.

Learning After Effects Expressions

2 replies

T
trjpraeAuthor
Known Participant
September 16, 2018

angie_taylor
angie_taylorCorrect answer
Legend
September 16, 2018

First of all, are you using Particular? If you are you should not use parenting as a way of controlling the particle emitter position. Instead, choose a light emitter and then create a Light named emitter, you can then animate the light and the particles will follow. you can also use the cone angle etc of the light to control the particles further.

If you are using one of the built in particle effects, don't use parenting to link the position. Instead, use expressions to link the particle's own, built in position property to the the light's position property. You can also link the magic ball to the same property using the same method. It will be more precise as it allows you to change or tweak the values. Plus, the particles will react to the motion. With Parenting they won't.

See this course to learn more about expressions.

Learning After Effects Expressions

T
trjpraeAuthor
Known Participant
September 16, 2018

Thanks for the reply. Please refer to the image I posted for more details. As I have mentioned, "The particle is emitting from the light which is parented to the null object called "emitter".", so it is emitted from a light layer. It just got parented to a null object. Also FYI, the magical ball is not created using particular.

Thanks

P.M.B
P.M.B
Legend
September 16, 2018

jasonw4753550  wrote

Please refer to the image I posted for more details

FYI, the magical ball is not created using particular.

Thanks

  Patience....Compassion,.,, Please just drag and drop the image right into the comment field.   

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