linking layer deforms child when parent layer has non-uniform scale + rotation

[takashi vfx]

just noticed my duplicate later keep shifting when i link layer to hero layer. 

tried on simple comp and i can repeat, so reporting as bug.

when i link a layer with non-unifrom scale and rotation, the child layer rotate and scale to change shape. when i unlink from the parent, it deforms again and won't change back to original shape.

system:

MacStudio M2 Ultra

128GB ram

macOS Ventura 13.6.6

AfterEffects 24.5.0

[Airweb_AE]

I don't think it's a bug. Since the calculations involve percentages,
they aren't necessarily reversible.
It's like if you have $100 and you add 20%, you get $120.

But if you then remove 20%, you end up with $96, not your original $100.

It must be somewhat the same thing here.

[takashi vfx]

linking layer to other layer as parents shouldn't change the shape of child layer.  not sure if you are familiar with after effects.

[Airweb_AE · Accepted solution]

Maybe my analogy wasn't clear, here's a slightly more precise explanation.

Child layers distorted 

[takashi vfx]

Thanks for the link. Now I kinda remember I had to precomp the layer before linking or use another null. 

[nishu_kush]

Glad to hear that helped.

Moving the thread from Bugs to Discussions.

Thanks,
Nishu

[Roland Kahlenberg]

This thread also has the solution and it's laid out quite clearly, if you haven't solved it - https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects-discussions/child-layers-distorted/td-p/10652220