What's up with AE's Distribute layers?

Question

Is there some way to force AE to recognize the selection order so I can have some idea of what the results will be?

This has bothered me for awhile and I've finally decided to try and understand it.

Using the Distribute Layers function within the Align panel uses logic I cannot predict.

I have ten text layers that are actual numbers (1-10).

The layers are in a order.

I move the 10 all the way to the right where I want the distribution to end.

I select all the layers (in order) yet AE distributes the layers, for all intents, randomly

Furthermore it's a different random order depending on distribution I choose.

If I choose Distribute horizontally it gives one order but if I choose Distribute Right it uses a different order.

Is there some way to force AE to recognize the selection order so I can have some idea of what the results will be?

Of course i could creat the text layers as all the same. distribute them and THEN change each layer to the number I want but

I'm just curious if there's something I'm missing, or if it's something AE is missing.

Thanks Y'all....Yee-Haw

Roland Kahlenberg · Accepted Answer

The Align/Distribute Panel works in the Comp Panel - nothing in the Timeline is regarded in any manner AFAIK.

I use this script for sorting/re-stacking layers in the Timeline.

Sortie - aescripts + aeplugins - aescripts.com

P.M.B · Answer

I learned some stuff. Ill post more later

EDIT: So AE distributes the layers from bottom to top & back from where you set the last layer.

So the layer you move out to the point where you want the distribution to end needs to be on the bottom of the layer stack

& the layers will be distributed from that point backwards moving sequentially up the layer stack.

However: If you move the layer at the top of the stack out to the point where you want the distribution to end instead of the one at the bottom

AEs brains melt and the layers get distributed randomly.

So for it work sequentially you have to move the bottom layer out to where you want the stack distributed to and plan for the layers to be distributed up the stack from right to left. Anything other than that process seems to cause a random distribution

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