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As I see, this easy concept works based on tracking at a high-contrast spot, tie tracked object to null layer.
My composition is yet but a comp with a series of animated shape layers, and it's not working. My animated object and it's attachment, track in the 'sub'-comp window, but don't show in the main composition. Before I pre-render and try that are there any obvious solutions? Thanks
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If I'm understanding you correctly: you have animated shape layers, created a pre-comp, opened that in a layer window and tracked that. You've then attached a null to your track. Is that correct?
If you are attaching a null object to your track, this won't shown when you preview (spacebar) the animation as a null object is not visible when previewing. If you drag the playhead manually you should see your null.
Otherwise - please upload screenshots.
PS: This seems a very odd thing to do. There are various much easier ways to get an object to follow a shape layer object - copy and paste keyframes, an expression...
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After Effects has Motion Tracking that tracks a feature, not a point. There is a feature region, a search region and an attach point. Motion tracking only works on movies. If you animate the position of a shape layer you will have to pre-compose that layer before you attempt to track the motion. Most of the time it's easier and more accurate just to use parenting or shift + parenting to make one layer follow another one.
If you want to use motion tracking on animated layers pre-compose them and move all attributes to the new composition first, then track the Nested comp (Sub Comp).
If you need more help than that we need a detailed explanation that describes exactly what you are trying to accomplish and screenshots of the comp with the modified properties of the layers involved revealed. Just press the U key twice, PrintScreen and paste or drag a screenshot to the forum so we can help.
If pre-composing doesn't work and you are still having problems please type Motion Track in the search help field at the top right corner of AE to learn about Motion Tracking workflows.
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Thank you. I will use the parenting method.