Repeat + Wiggle Transform Shape layer with gradient - gradient does not move with shape

Question

Hi all,

I'm trying to visualize a bunch of atoms moving around randomly. I need to be able to animate the spacing between them as well as the amplitude of the motion, so using repeaters and Wiggle Transform on a shape layer seemed like a very easy solution. It works fine as long as the shape has a solid fill.

But when I give the shape a Gradient fill, the gradient(s) remain static and does not move along with the wiggled shapes. I've looke around but found no solution to this. Very grateful for any ideas!

Fig 1 Shape repeated - works fine

Fig 2 Wiggle Transform applied - Shapes are wiggled but not the gradient fills

Rick Gerard · Accepted Answer

When you add Wiggle Transform, it transforms the Contents/Ellipse/Elipse Path/Position of the shape instead of the Contents/Elipse/Transform Elipse/Position. The start and end values of a gradient fill are based on the Contents/Shape/Transform Shape/Position and Anchor Point, so they are not going to move. Unfortunately, the result of that wiggle transform is not accessible because none of the properties show a change over time.

You'll have to create your wiggling matrix of gradient-filled circles by using multiple shape layers and expressions instead of a single shape layer. Lock the random seed and use the layer index to offset the position of each layer, and it will be fairly easy to generate the grid.

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