Animate an engine

[dougc32057606]

I know just enough to get myself in trouble so I'm going to ask for help. I want to animate an engine like this - http://www.animatedengines.com/diesel.html and can't figure out how to connect all the components so they move together.

Anyone know of a tutorial or have advice?

Thank you!

[Dave_LaRonde]

Gas or Diesel?

[dougc32057606]

Gas.

[imeilfx]

That is really simple and basic knowledge of After Effects so you should start by learning AE basics. You can start here: https://helpx.adobe.com/pl/after-effects/tutorials.html

What you are looking for is called "parenting" - you have to parent all moving parts together in correct order and give them movement. 
Of course, you can automate that much more with expressions but that is more complicated so for you, I would suggest just parenting and key frames. 

[dougc32057606]

Thanks! I will check those tutorials out.

[Rick Gerard]

Dan Ebberts is the man. You will need Expressions for Speed and Frequency Control and then you combine that tool with Inverse Kinematics. You'll also want to look at Inverse Kinematics Redux. 

Or, if you have a budget, go to aescripts.com and check out some of their rigging tools

[dougc32057606]

Thanks! I will look at those. Appreciate the help.