From: "Roland Kahlenberg" <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2018 17:57:04 -0700 (MST)
To: After Effects Mail List <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
Message-ID: <970503907.331424504.1520384224858.JavaMail.zimbra@broadcastgems.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-6414923@media-motion.tv>
References: <list-6414923@media-motion.tv>
Subject: Re: [AE] Questions about the Create Nulls from Paths script
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Thread-Topic: Questions about the Create Nulls from Paths script
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There are a few ways to do this. You have to appreciate that the mechanics require Nulls to be created - the good news is after hacking the mechanics, you can delete them. 

1) I would suggest you create 4 Nulls instead of 2. Place two Nulls exactly as what you have right now. Then add two more, one at the extreme end of the line you currently have. Actually, wouldn't this alone help you solve your issue?
And you don't need Phil's Expression to link the Start/End points of the Beam layer, unless you have a Parenting structure at play. otherwise, simply pick-whipping the Beam's Star/End props to the respective Position props of your two Nulls.


2) To hack this thingy - create your Solid or drop in the layer you want to use instead of the Null. A simple Shift-Parent routine should do the trick but since you have the added requirement of not wanting Nulls to exist in your Timeline, we have to begin hacking. 

a) Select your Shape Layer with the source path which was used when you invoked the Points follow Nulls script. 
b) In its Effects Control Panel, you will see a layer property for each of your points/Nulls.
c) Select the layer menu for the Null and point it to your Solid/Layer - this creates/changes a/the link between the effect and the original Null to your desired Layer.

3) Now go back to the Timeline and delete the Null you just replaced, in the layer menu. 
4) Repeat Step 2, in its entirety.

After awhile I think it's just too much work and you'll learn to live with those Nulls.

The good thing with this explanation is that you know how to reconnect lost connections. Connections get lost if you copy the source Shape Layer and the Nulls to another Comp - to re-use the effects there. Connections are also lost if you copy-paste the affected layers within the same comp, to re-order layer hierarchy - for housekeeping purposes. 

Lastly, if you like the Create Nulls from Paths feature, then you will want to use an improved version of it, from a 3rd party. This improved version adds bezier handles to each Null/Point created.
Here's the video on this improved version and where to get the improved script.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHLiE5xh13s&t=1s


Cheers
- Roland Kahlenberg
broadcastGEMs - home of AE's only Animated Font Designer, PathSlicer

Intensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations
BorisFX/Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor & Adobe After Effects ACE/ACI


----- Original Message -----
From: "After Effects Mail List" <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
To: "After Effects Mail List" <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
Sent: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 3:51:32 AM
Subject: [AE] Questions about the Create Nulls from Paths script

I want to use this new AE script "Create Nulls from Paths" to draw lines
between two points and I have a couple questions:
1. Can I get a simple line to -overshoot- the nulls? (see image)
https://i.imgur.com/sAxq0LU.png
2. I want to draw lines between layers -- not nulls (I don't need nulls and
they clutter up my timeline). But I can't seem to modify the script to
relink the line shape to layers in my scene. If I try, the script breaks or
ceases functioning. Is there any way to modify the expression so that my
line draws between layers of my choosing?