Path Constraint

Note

Available in After Effects CC2018 and above only.

Hint

Available in Standard and Expert modes only.

The Path Constraint constraints the position of a layer to any Bézier path.

  1. Select some layers
  2. Select a Bézier path property (shape or mask)
  3. Click the Path Constraint button

YOUTUBE_1-1

Note

When clicking on the button, if no path property was found, Duik will show another panel to pick a path. In this case:

  • Select the desired path
  • Click on the “Pick Path” button
  • Select the layers to constrain
  • Click on “Constrain layer” button

A Path Constraint effect is added on the layer, where you can animate the percentage to move the layer along the path.

Tip

The position of the layer can still be animated, and you can move it yourself to the path if you want it to be exactly above. In this case, set the percentage to 0% and move the layer above the first vertex of the Bézier path.

If the path itself is animated, the constrained layer will follow the animation of the path, even when the percentage is animated.