How to lock an object's rotation (while following a path) ..?

Question

So I have a 2D project of a line that is moving from left to right while the "camera" follows it (by adjusting a null's anchor point to always have it in the center of the screen so it looks like the camera is following the line movement). I can successfully attach an object (i.e TEXT) to the line's movement so it looks like the Text is at the front of the line and directing the path. However when the line goes up and down, the text rotates it's shape WITH the line instead of staying horizontal. Is there a way to LOCK the text's rotation so it still follows the line's path, but doesn't rotate and stays rotationally stationary but still moves with the line?

Thanks guys -- any ideas?

Rick Gerard · Accepted Answer

Screenshots that don't show us what you have done to the layers are pretty useless when if comes to figuring out what you are doing in the comp. I'm pretty sure I know what you are trying to do. Here's the solution.

You can do the whole thing by simply copying the path and turning that into a motion path. Start like this:

The next step is to create another shape layer for the box and simply paste the copied path to the box layer, set auto-orient to motion path and the box layer will stick to the path as it draws on.

Add the text layer and paste the path again but this time don't turn on auto orientation. The text layer will not rotate

To keep the text and the box in the middle of the comp add a null, but this time paste the motion path to the Anchor Point of the null then adjust the position of the null until it is lined up with the text layer. The last step is to parent all layers to the null. This will keep the text layer in the center of the screen as the line and box move behind it. You will probably have to adjust the position of the keyframes on the text layer and the anchor point to line things up like you need them to be.

If you had shown us the modified properties of the layers in your screenshot as I did we would not have to guess, but I think this is what you are trying to do.

missVC · Answer

hey! So better late than never... I used the same method as you did, trace path with trim shapes and shape parented to the resulting null layer. I have a text marker that I need to follow the position of the null but not the rotation/ orientation. This script applied to the child layer (text comp in my instance) worked!

parentPosition = thisComp.layer("name of parent layer").transform.position;
value + parentPosition // Remove this line if you need locked child

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