Create Nulls From Paths is resulting in a curved line instead of a linear one.

[Charles31620028xk0u]

I am trying to animate a line, but it isn't working as I'd like. I'll draw a line using the pen tool, open up the shape's path, click on points follow nulls, and move the nulls, but the resulting line curves if either end of the line gets too close to the other. Also, the line seems to fold upon itself if it gets too close, which is quite important for what I'm trying to do, as I plan to start with the the line appearing as a point, then extending to a line. I am able to achieve this with the Beam effect, but that has its own errors, which has lead me to the Create Nulls From Paths choice. The goal is attached demonstrating the curve of the C.N.F.P. option, and another map file is attached demonstrating the folding upon itself issue. Thanks!

Points Follow Nulls/ Beam 

Map Demo 

[Rick Gerard · Accepted solution]

Did you have Rotobezier turned on? Did you drag any Bezier handles out when you created the original path?

[Charles31620028xk0u]

Thank you!! I had Rotobezier on.

[Charles31620028xk0u]

Is there a way to turn rotobezier off post-creation of the line, or do I have to delete each line and recreate it?

[Charles31620028xk0u]

There's a rotobezier checkbox when I click on the shape layer, but it is unclicked, and the line is still curved.

[Rick Gerard]

Open the path property in the timeline, select the path, go to Layer/Mask and Shape Path, and deselect Rotobezier. When you do that you will get Bezier handles on the path. To collapse them you must make sure the path is selected in the timeline, select the Pen tool (g), hold down the Alt/Option key to change the pointer to a white arrow, draw a selection around the end points, then click on the points to collapse the Bezier Handles.

If you have already applied Points Follow Nulls, you will need to delete the expression and the nulls, then fix the line, then apply Points follow Nulls again.