Create Nulls From Paths: Position is way off

[atdanks]

Hi! I love the new built-in feature "create nulls from paths." However, sometimes I get an issue where the newly created nulls are not where they should be. Please see the examples below, where the front leg of the bicyclist kicks out four misplaced nulls. Anyone else having this issue? Any workarounds? Fixes? Advice?

Thanks!

[Roland Kahlenberg · Accepted solution]

Before you apply any of the Nulls2Path feature you SHOULD zero all the Path>Transform:Path properties (except Opacity and Scale). Otherwise, you will have the issue you are currently facing.

[atdanks]

That did the trick! Thanks a bunch!

[erika.paprika]

Hi,

I am having the same issue unfortunately this solution isn't working for me. Any idea why and how I could fix that? Thanks!

[Kyle Hamrick]

Without getting too into the weeds, you're likely running into an issue of comp space vs layer space. 
If the path you're converting is on a layer parented to another, or buried multiple shape groups deep, you're wanting the visual position of your object, without realizing that its mathematical position is actually relative to its parent, shape group, whatever. 
There are ways around this with expressions, but the simplest answer is to take those variables out of the equation if possible. If possible, un-parent layers before running this script, and/or make sure your nulls are parents to the same layer(s) as the one containing the path. 

[Roland Kahlenberg]

FWIW, if you forgot to ZERO-in the Content"Path>Transform props prior to invoking Create Nulls from Path, you can do so AFTER - all will be well.

As Kyle has suggested, you will have to share more info on the Shape Layer. A screen grab showing its innards and whether it is Parented (a Child Layer) AND any effects the layer may have. FWIW, Even if the Shape Layer is parented (IOW it's a Child Layer), all you have to do get things back on track is to parent the newly created Nulls to the Shape Layer's Parent Layer.

[anonymous_hedgehog]

Can you please explain what you mean by "zero all the path"?

It would be appreciated if you can explain based on After Effects UI so it is clear how to do this step. thanks!

[Roland Kahlenberg]

The image below shows the default values for a Shape Layer's internal transform properties. When these properties are at their default values all Nulls created with the "Create Nulls from Path" feature will stick to their respective Shape Path vertex/point. HTH.

[anonymous_hedgehog]

Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying. This is strange functionality no? Maybe a bug unless intended to work this way.

[Roland Kahlenberg]

Not a bug. However I do see an opportunity for a better design by setting the related values to default, by default. I can't see any reason to have 'awkward' values as default and then having these props disaffect Create Nulls from Path.

[robersonbraga]

This worked for me, thanks!

[Lima_2099]

is there a way of zeroing those values but keepiong the position? 

[Roland Kahlenberg]

If you want to keep the current position then leave things as they are.

[EALS]

After I've created a shape from a vector layer (parented to nothing), 'Nulls from Paths' offsets the new nulls position. However, if I apply your solution and zero the path's transform properties, it works, but the path offsets itself and I need to bring it back to its original position. Is it right?

[DCNilo]

same problem! please help. thanks!

[BKontra]

Yes, same for me. I'm not sure how to put the path in the position I want it AND move the Null with it.

[BKontra]

OK, figured it out! Turns out my problem was there because I worked from an Illustrator .ai file in After Effects and for some reason the path to Null conversion wouldn't work properly. I've created the paths now in AE directly and it worked without any issues.

[nicomartins]

But is there a way to do it in .Ai without getting this error? it's really annoying me.

[nicomartins · Accepted solution]

I managed to find a solution and it is by downloading this script that has fixed this bug. I got it from this video in spanish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APry31ydjuU&

http://www.pablocuello.com/scripts/

[Blanca255594274xvh]

Muchas gracias!!!!

[Anil26186915kps1]

This works like a charm , thanks a lot !!

[maev_]

worked for me! thanks for sharing!

[verast_]

thanks roland! 🙂

[ginnyk82388723]

I know this thread is over a year old now and most people may have already discovered this, but I had the same issue with a path created from an Illustrator vector and was finally able to get the null directly on the path by ungrouping the effect from the path in the shape layer. I ungrouped the stroke from the vector path and the null sits directly on the path now instead of being offset.

[semakulan48659853]

Your approached worked for me thanks