Solid Parented to Null not working Please help

[RadDav]

I'm trying to create Jedi Lightning effect I found on youtube . Everything works up to the point where I parent the solid to the null. The lightning will not move with the finger and I can not figure out why. I believe its a setting but have no idea where to start looking.

[RobShultz]

You’re probably missing a tracking step. Hard to say exactly what the problem is without more information.

[RadDav]

I have a solid list of tracking data with the null. The square red box moves with my finger no problem. The lightning which is part of my solid just sits there and doesn't move.

Please forgive my lack of correct nomenclature!

[P.M.B]

It's not "nomenclature"   It's that you're not describing your workflow at all.

You probably have an effect applied to the solid.  (if so you should probably mention it, and what it's name is )

And the effect you "probably" have applied "probably" has it's own origin and termination coordinates & it's those that need to be parented to the null (via expressions) & NOT the solid itself.

Also it would probably help if you posted a link to (or embed) the tutorial video.

Probably would also be helpful to also mention the time in the video where it "parents the solid to the null" so we don;t have to guess.

I don;t mean to point out the obvious but apparently it's necessary.

It's not about not knowing the "nomenclature".  It's about having the common sense to realize we have no idea what your doing unless you tell us.

[RadDav]

Here is the video

After Effects Force Lightning Tutorial - Star Wars VFX Academy # 5 - YouTube

The parent happened at 11:03

I expanded the Black Solid with an Advanced Lightning effect and see no way to parent the effect and not the solid.

Thanks for the help

[P.M.B]

You don't parent the effect to the solid.  The effect is applied to the solid..or at least it should be.

If you've applied the tracking data to the null correctly and parented the solid to the correct null the solid should follow.

So...now we know what the instructor has done...

It's likely that you just missed something or did something wrong along the way.

You would have to provide screen shots or better yet a video screen capture uploaded to Youtube or Vimeo or wherever.

If we can't see the problem from that then at least we could tell you what else we need to see.

To be honest though, if I were you I would start again from scratch.

There's no harm in doing it again...in fact it will serve to commit what your learning to your long term memory.

Repetition is the key to learning.

[RadDav]

I will thanks.

[Roland Kahlenberg]

I suggest you provide screen grabs of your Timeline and Comp Panels. Ensure you capture the important/related properties. I have a feeling you should be linking the properties via Expressions instead of Parenting. Certainty can only come forth after you provide more details.

[RadDav]

[RadDav]

Above is a pic.

I have now tried for the 3rd time by following the video. I have no issues up until the Advanced Lightning effect will not track with the movement.

[Roland Kahlenberg · Accepted solution]

Create an Expression link from the Advanced Lightning's Origin property to the Null's position (tracking data).