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Kieran5F9F
Participant
September 12, 2022
Answered

Is there a way to create a null object that is a parent to all selected layers?

  • September 12, 2022
  • 5 replies
  • 4105 views

This may just be my workflow that's wrong, but currently in After Effects I can't seem to find a way to create a null (or layer) that automatically parents to selected layers.

 

Currently i'm finding that i have to create a null object, then manually select all desired layers and then attach them to the null. What I'm trying to do is: Select layers in timeline > Create a null that is a parent to all selected layers.

 

Hopefully this makes sense as this would save a tonne of time and hassle. Preferably without buying 3rd party plugins

 

Thanks

Correct answer Kyle Hamrick

I'll agree this is a good idea, though since this functionality is already easily available through a couple existing scripts, it's pretty unlikely the AE dev team will consider it a high priority. 
This tool will do exactly what you're asking for, and it's name your own price. Is the convenience of not having to do this manually worth sending the creator a couple dollars? (I think it is.) https://aescripts.com/add-parented-null-to-selected-layers/

5 replies

Knuspi
Knuspi
Participant
October 31, 2025

I’ve got a script for that (and honestly I think it works better than the one on AE Scripts) — it creates a null and parents it to whatever you’ve selected. Also creates a new label colors for all parented layers. Shortcut included and it's free 😊 Saves a ton of clicks.

Add Parent Null for Adobe After Effects

R
Community Expert
Rick GerardCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 12, 2022

If I have a bunch of layers that I want to group in any way, I Ctrl/Cmnd + Click to select them all, then click on the colored square to the left of the layer name and pick a new color to use as a group label. You can then easily click on any layer with that group color and select them from the popup menu, then parent them or pre-compose them, or move them all at the same time. 

 

You can also create specific layer names that can be searched in the Timeline Search field to automatically find layers, effects, or properties common to all layers.

    Kyle Hamrick
    Community Expert
    Kyle HamrickCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2022

    I'll agree this is a good idea, though since this functionality is already easily available through a couple existing scripts, it's pretty unlikely the AE dev team will consider it a high priority. 
    This tool will do exactly what you're asking for, and it's name your own price. Is the convenience of not having to do this manually worth sending the creator a couple dollars? (I think it is.) https://aescripts.com/add-parented-null-to-selected-layers/

      W
      Community Expert
      Warren Heaton10841144Community Expert
      Community Expert
      September 12, 2022

      This is a brilliant idea.  Unfortunately, it only has a few votes on the Adobe User Voice pages for After Effects.

      Auto-Parent Selected Layers

      You select a bunch of layers, you create a new null, the selected layers are automatically parented to that null.



        Mylenium
        Mylenium
        Legend
        September 12, 2022

        There are scripts of all sorts to that effect on AEScripts.com, so have a look around there and download/ buy one of those utility palettes that provide such functionality.

         

        Mylenium

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