null object not tracing path of selected layer

[tomasurnes2001]

When I try and get a null object to trace the path of a shape in after effects the null object appears - however it does not trace the path over the shape it traces the path on a different part of the composition. If any one has any ideas it would be amazing 🙂 thanks

[Rick Gerard]

I would bet that the layer with the path has been moved or scaled, or rotated in the comp position. If you want a motion path to follow a vector path all of the Layer>Transform controls must be at the default values.

[tomasurnes2001]

Hi Thanks for your time! The path has been imported from an illustrator file if that helps. However I did not format the path in any way once converted from an illustrator file to a shape.. I clicked on reset in the transform controls of the path, however there was no change..

[Rick Gerard]

When you create shapes from a vector path the Anchor Point ends up in the center of the layer. The anchor point of a new shape layer is always 0, 0. When you create a shape layer from a vector path the anchor point is at comp center. 

The fix is to create a new null and name it something like Fix Position, copy the path you want to turn into a motion path, paste it to your original null, parent the original null to the Fix Position null, then move the Fix Position null to 0, 0. 

Let me know if that works. It should. 

[tomasurnes2001]

Thank you !

[jakekWPG]

copy the path you want to turn into a motion path, paste it to your original null...

By Rick Gerard

Sorry, I'm not quite following this step. Can you explain how you pulled it off @tomasurnes2001 , or in more detail @Rick Gerard ?

[Rick Gerard]

Does this help: