How to link a mask path to only the x or y position of another layer?

Question

I’m trying to create a wipe text reveal animation where a vertical line moves horizontally and reveals text as it moves.

I have a mask on the text layer to create this, and I want to link the mask path to just the X parameter of the line layer’s position property (so the mask will move with the line).

When I drag the pick whip on the mask path to the X position of the line layer, I’m given the error

object of type found where a property is needed

Why is this? What can I do to resolve this error? AE newbie here so your help will be appreciated!

Rick Gerard · Answer

If you want the position of another layer to drive the position of vector path points, you have first to open Window/Create Nulls From Paths.jsx, then select the path, then select Points Follow Nulls, then tie the appropriate to the position of the layer you want to use to animate the position of the points. The easiest way to make this work is to add a new null (Controller), shift + parent the null to the position of the moving layer (your control layer), then parent the appropriate nulls that the script created to the new Controller null.

There is no easy way to directly tie the position of a layer to the position of a vector (mask) point by simply dragging the pickwhip. The expression is very complex, and the Create Nulls From Paths script does this automatically. I use it all the time.

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