If you’re not using Null Layers, you’re missing out big time!

After Effects Tip of the Week

Cmd + Alt + Shift + Y = New Null Layer

Need a new null? Just mash all those modifier buttons (Cmd, Alt, Shift) and Y. Boom.

If you want the new null just above a certain layer, highlight that layer and then do the magical keyboard shortcut. 

What's a null? 

Oh, it's nothing. No really... it's pretty much nothing. But it's a very useful nothing.

The best thing to do with nulls is to parent other layers to them. It opens up the possibilities for new movements you can achieve! 

I'm not exaggerating when I say this one null layer technique changed something HUGE in my brain.

Here's a demo of how to use Null Layers to make a 2D box tilt back and forth on it's edge realistically.

www.austinsaylor.com This tutorial video was made for this blog post about null layers... Null Layers are nothing... but they are a useful nothing. The only way I've seen them used is to parent other layers to them or to parent null layers to other null layers.

Here's how I used that technique for animating the letter E.

☝️All of the controls you see here are nulls.

Lettering Animation Spotlight

This week's lettering animation spotlight comes from Florent of Hello, I'm Flo. He's a super talented designer, letterer and animator. You should follow him on Twitter and Instagram. I mean check out this amazing 3D lettering animation piece! So polished.

A post shared by Florent S (@hello_im_flo) on Dec 11, 2016 at 2:32pm PST