Attach Arrow Tips to a Shape Path in After Effects CC 2018

#About
Adobe After Effects had a recent update that allows you to attach a null object to a shape path. Animate arrows or any other objects with ease using the method I will teach you in this quick tutorial.
World map image is creative commons available at:
pixabay.com/
#Feedback
Whether you like this tutorial or not, let me know with a thumbs up/down or a comment! You'll only hurt my feelings a little but I can take it! If you really like what you see, please subscribe or reach out to me on social. I'm always connected and would love to help or answer any questions you might have! I appreciate it!
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email: [e-mail]

[@suraiya21]

So many things I learned from this tutorial. Wish I was a robot. Using a pen drive I cud download and copy paste on my memory!!! Thank you so much.

[@ArtYouCanDrive]

This tutorial is EXACTLY what I was trying to figure out. Yet here it is, very easy to follow and also covers issues with the script like turning off looping. I'm using it to create a dot at the end of a line that extends out then moves along a path. Another bug is that the dot at the end of the line wiggles. The solution was spooling down rotation by clicking the little arrow > , clicking the = sign and turning off rotation.

[@BrandonThomasIrwin]

IT'S LIKE MAGIC! So many work arounds can be avoided now! Thanks for posting this. I need to start readin the update sheets they put out.

[@MorrisBarrier]

yw :)

[@mt.bikeher270]

Absolutely the best tutorial. I spent hours trying to figure this out. Others didn't explain a lot of the details I was getting stuck on. Thank You.

[@MorrisBarrier]

thank you!

[@Aprenderingles23]

Much better at introducing the overall concept than other videos I've seen on this.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you!

[@Yneos_xyz]

this is the best tutorial I've watched in a long time. Thanks!

[@Ben-fq1lj]

One of the best tutorials I've seen that was simple and relaxing! Good music choice, somewhat feels like I'm playing minecraft while learning :)

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you!

[@JayTaicho]

Exactly what i was after! Worked like a charm. Thanks!

[@Damarco4u]

This is the best arrow tutorial I've found and I've gone through many! LOL!

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you!

[@AnjaOttiger]

Thank you so much, this is an amazing tutorial. I spent so much time trying to figure that out and other tutorials didn't explain anything and went way too fast!

[@Mikrokleinstgarten]

This helped me so much! Thank you dear sire!

[@igorkas]

Incredibly useful in countless scenarios. Thank you!

[@MorrisBarrier]

That's what I have found also. You're welcome.

[@TravelingRobert]

Mind blown. Making the transition from Motion to AE so this is very helpful

[@MorrisBarrier]

I started out on Motion years ago. After Effects had so many more resources for learning at the time.

[@andydreadsbmx]

Just what I was looking for, wanted to know what "Trace Path" did and this explained it perfectly! Thank You!

[@MorrisBarrier]

Anytime. You're welcome.

[@VisualStory-Teller]

Literally exactly what I needed! Many thanks!

[@tomavellino9553]

Great tutorial, you are a gifted teacher, thanks.

[@SimonWhitesideMusic]

great tutorial very clear I like it when people explain why as well as how something is working.

[@naskifife]

EXTREMELY helpful!! Thanks so much!!

[@Dexter-fo2pk]

Underrated Tutorial... So useful!

[@ShantanuBaviskar]

Ikr!

[@MoveMeVideoandMotion]

Just used this technique in a project! Many thanks!

[@MrDevonParsons]

Very helpful. Solves so many problems! Thanks!

[@Paquidermo00]

Thank you! It solved a 1 week problem in a 10 min video.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Awesome! You're welcome!

[@kingkoiroi]

Very nice man! Wish I would have known this two weeks ago.

[@KennisKids]

Thank you! This tutorial was very helpful and easy to follow. I've learned a lot, thanks mate!

[@MorrisBarrier]

yw!

[@KennisKids]

@@MorrisBarrier I'll use the tips from this video in my upcoming project. These shape path's are awesome!

[@Wattoh]

Thanks so much for this tutorial.... It really helped point me in the right direction! ;)

[@gimbalguru360]

This is so helpfull! Thanks! Now I know how the NULL is following the "trimmed" Path 👌💪

[@eminemirza]

Thank you Mr. Morris! It is good tutorial...

[@gustavosaliola]

Great Tutorial! Thanks! First time using this script and just fitted perfectly for my project.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Awesome!

[@nematurd]

I need to find a place to use this now. Very good tip.

[@KelsonArwhi]

When attempting to do this with 3d layers (or make the layers 3d after the fact), the expression seems to assign an arbitrary z value to the null that visually separates it from the path. Adjusting the z value of the path itself does not resolve the issue. The only solution I've found is two create the animated arrowhead in 2d layers, then pre-comp and make the comp itself a 3d layer. Wondering if there is any other way to avoid that issue, as timing the animations of pre-comped material with top layer objects involves a lot of back and forth between different timelines.

[@digitalmedialinks7860]

Very good, the way you explained. Please keep it up for us. Thank You.

[@MorrisBarrier]

thank you!

[@Chnwee]

Thanks man! really helped me out!

[@ARDAEROL1]

Thanks Morris!

[@iankeldin3249]

So helpful. Thanks!

[@albertorondoni]

Thank you so much! Subscribed instantly :)

[@HaveAnother775]

Great job man...I was actually working on some arrows today and it was a hassle...thank you!

[@MorrisBarrier]

You're welcome. Thanks for the feedback!

[@thomasheising2589]

Wonderful tutorial!

[@kellywesterby1745]

Great tutorial. Thanks.

[@abhijeetkurup3012]

Awesome Video,, Thanks a lot bro. Cheers

[@75CD]

Good tutorial. Thank you.

[@matoflynn]

PERFECT tutorial, thank you!

[@MorrisBarrier]

Glad to help! Awesome!

[@vishnuvenkitachalam3817]

Great, Great!! Thanks you so much Buddy!!

[@Eeagli]

Briliant tutorial and really easy to follow. Thanks for sharing.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Awesome! Glad to help!

[@Eeagli]

@@MorrisBarrier It was great. I used it to make the arrows for my infographic . I know I need to work on my easing, but the tutorial was really good. Thanks again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKnbdXyKp811oK8

[@foxtrollgames]

Thank you, it saved me !

[@srikantdeshpande2789]

Thank you Morris

[@GraphicsVibes]

Beautiful

[@lucasschwantes4966]

YOU'RE. A. HERO.

[@mallikarjuneede]

Thanks Man!!! God Bless You!!

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you!

[@LeonardoCossio]

thank you for the awsome tip

[@gastonlag2693]

Thank you very much for this good tutorial.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you!

[@kishangzp]

All I would say wonderful... simply simple and excellent...

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you!

[@marufhstk]

Just awesome

[@carolinee.3435]

Life saverr :) thanks!

[@superadscreativemediapriva7787]

Thank You. Great Help

[@meganpoth1509]

Great tutorial, super helpful! One problem I can't seem to figure out, my arrow tip does not stay aligned with my line the whole way through. I've made sure to center the arrow head in the comp and center the anchor point. Any suggestions would be great! Thank you!

[@MorrisBarrier]

can you send the project to me at [e-mail]?

[@explevel2]

Excellent tutorial! I had no idea this feature existed.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you. New in CC 2017

[@fazalnajam]

Thanks! Keep making more.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Najam Fazal thank you!

[@ukrainethefuture1101]

amazing tutorial

[@AleZakko]

GREAT!!! Thank you very much!!!

[@blueowlstudios5972]

Thank You

[@126productions8]

Brilliant tutorial.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank You!

[@kunalalva]

Thanks a ton Morris !!

[@shoyaibhossen475]

Thanks a lot for this supper help.

[@thobisojakes17]

very nice

[@LonelyDogBarking]

TNX! great tut...

[@MorrisBarrier]

thanks!

[@pokevenom314]

Awesome thanks!

[@randomfreaks9292]

Thanks man!

[@ZakariaAroussy]

thank you this tutorial was helpful

[@MorrisBarrier]

you're welcome!

[@semakulanicholas3626]

Thanks for visiting Ug

[@mohammadgolpayegani281]

Thank you.

[@SkiResortsVideo]

thanks so much for this video. i don't know why, but in the end point, the null rotation jumps 180 degrees and if I try to make manuel keyframe to fix it, it changed it again to this 180 degrees jump. any idea how to fix it?( my comp continue after the path end because i am planning a lower third title)

[@SkiResortsVideo]

i am using 2020 version

[@philiprafferty849]

Thanks v much - appreciated

[@1littlething]

You da man. Thanks.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Awesome. Thank You!

[@fatimahgraphics4525]

very informative.

[@MorrisBarrier]

thank you

[@bxfguif]

This might seem like a dumb question, but how do you toggle into that bezier pen tool curve like Morris used at 2:13?

[@MorrisBarrier]

Well, "g" toggles to the pen tool but to create bezier paths there is no shortcut. There is a dropdown on the pen tool called "convert vertex tool". Looks sorta like the caret symbol ("^"). That's what I use to get control of my bezier handles. Hope that helps.

[@talebamin3999]

Thank you (y)

[@compingnick]

thats brill

[@oooo14800]

God bless you!

[@MorrisBarrier]

Very Kind!

[@TheScooter1397]

I've tried to dublicate the process, so I have two arrows travelling in the opposite direction. But when I fill in the arrow tip into the Null Path the purple in my time line just disappears. Can someone please explain to mean why this is happening?

[@johnnygabriel3344]

How were you able to do the circle thingy continuing to a line from your sample? Thanks a lot!

[@MorrisBarrier]

The earth to moon line? Most anything beyond a primitive circle or square I make in Illustrator. It would be difficult to make it After Effects because once I make the circle I had to create a perfectly straight line and connect it to the other and join it together. I'm not sure how to explain precisely how I created this one path.

[@nazimcontreras5125]

Unfortunately when I make the "Create from Null Path" appears it doesn't show the option "Trace Path", only "Points Follow Nulls" and "Nulls Follow Points". I'm using the last version tough. Any idea where can I find the "Trace Path" Option?

[@mansoorabbaskhan2145]

i was help ful

[@MorrisBarrier]

Thank you!

[@DaStuntChannel]

Hmm, I have about 11 lines, should I do the same procedure for each??, or is there an easier way?...

[@paulcunningham4147]

Very useful

[@MorrisBarrier]

thank you!

[@gregmwheeler]

Hey-great tutorial but I'm wondering-why doesn't your orange background in the Arrowtip comp show up when it follows the line. My comp background colour DOES show up. Which I do not want? How did you make that work?

[@MorrisBarrier]

Do you have toggle transparency turned off? It's a checkerboard button under the Comp window next to the text "active camera"

[@AchHadda]

this so cool another reason to convince my mate to upgrade xD

[@MorrisBarrier]

Awesome!

[@cyrilkohler5801]

How does it create a new layer as soon as you use the path tool? :) Whenever I use it, it just draws an path but doesn't create a new layer. Great tutorial!

[@MorrisBarrier]

Make sure none of your layers in the timeline are selected and a new shape layer should be created when you click on the Composition screen. Otherwise it will create a mask path on the selected layer.

[@owenkilleen]

Hi, great vid! I'm currently trying to get a null to follow a triangle made from the polygon tool, i don't seem to have any options, is there an easier way, or are the geometric shapes not designed for having null objects move along them.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Have you tried to right click on the polygon shape in the timeline and there should be an option to convert the shape to bezier paths. From there you can use the "create nulls from paths" tool to have the nulls follow a point on your polygon.

[@owenkilleen]

It's not there.

[@MorrisBarrier]

what version do you have?

[@owenkilleen]

cc 2015

[@MorrisBarrier]

The easy answer is to upgrade to CC 2018. AE scripts has a tool called the Masked Avenger 2 that let's you do this also but it is $149. If you are just trying to get a null to follow a triangle why not parent the null to the shape? Unfortunately KZbin won't let us paste screenshots in the comments so it's difficult to know what you're wanting to do.

[@RaadHani]

there is no tint in cc2017

[@calebstith5651]

Wow.

[@benpohlmann2352]

when I use the path tool and want to create the new layer it doesnt make a line but kind of an half ball. What can I do

[@MorrisBarrier]

I'm not sure I understand. You're using the 'g' pen tool? send a screenshot to [e-mail]

[@benpohlmann2352]

I fixed the problem. Fill Option was on

[@MorrisBarrier]

ahh, hence half circle :)

[@mandrakemotion]

That just saved me from spending $$ on aescripts. Only question left now, how to adapt this for 3D shape layers, since it becomes unhinged?

[@MorrisBarrier]

I'm not certain. I have tried it before with a 3D shape layer and had trouble myself.

[@MarkFarnsley]

How do you use this method if you have offset the path, like on a circle?

[@MorrisBarrier]

If I understand correctly, I would create the arrow like in the tutorial, then precomp the layers and apply the offset effect to the precomp.

[@fi-ville]

@@MorrisBarrier I still am not sure how to apply this effect on the precomp. I too would love to know more about this!

[@doodelay]

for some reason when i draw my line with my pen it doesn't automatically open up a new shape layer for me so that i can animate my line. how to fix this? Never mind i fixed it, great tutorial :]

[@MorrisBarrier]

Glad you got it figure out :)

[@DonaldDrennan]

How did you add a trim path? I can't see how you did that.

[@MorrisBarrier]

At 02:19 you see an "add" button to the right of the shape layer twirl down box. Trim Path is there.

[@chrklipp9973]

woah thanks man! very hard to see, because there's a cut and it looks like a right click

[@baileybourdon6940]

The rotation suddenly jumps 180 at the end! Please help!!!!!

[@IanConnel]

Something I found: this seems to only work with a new shape layer. I couldn't get a shape created from a .AI link to work properly.

[@MorrisBarrier]

Yeah. You have to right click and create shape from layer if it is an AI file.

[@RexArtTv]

Where can I get that Adobe Colour Theme plugin for After Effects?

[@MorrisBarrier]

It's built into After Effects. Go to windows>extensions>Adobe Color Themes. If you are logged into creative cloud it will sync the color palettes you have liked. I use color themes all the time, I don't like creating my own palettes.

[@RexArtTv]

Thanks so much man! And great video :)

[@MorrisBarrier]

anytime. Thank you :)

[@hafizmiau]

3:47 so how to "open that from here?"

[@MorrisBarrier]

What I said was "drag it over here". At 3:43 I Go to window>Create Nulls from Paths and a new popup window appears. Mine popped up on my secondary screen. Make sense?

[@egormykhailov7639]

you are very slovly