Layer Space Transforms¶
thisLayer
Use layer space transform methods to transform values from one space to another, such as from layer space to world space.
Composition (comp) and world space are the same for 2D layers. For 3D layers, however, composition space is relative to the active camera, and world space is independent of the camera.
Info
On this page, we're going to use thisLayer
as a sample on how to call these items, however note that any method that returns a Layer will work.
"From" & "To" Methods¶
The from
methods transform values from the named space (composition or world) to the layer space.
The to
methods transform values from the layer space to the named space (composition or world). Each transform method takes an optional argument to determine the time at which the transform is computed; however, you can almost always use the current (default) time.
"Vec" Methods¶
Use Vec
transform methods when transforming a direction vector, such as the difference between two position values.
Use the plain (non-Vec
) transform methods when transforming a point, such as position.
Methods¶
toComp()¶
thisLayer.toComp(point[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a point from layer space to composition space.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
point |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | The point to convert |
t |
Number | Optional. The time at which to sample the point at. Defaults to time . |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
fromComp()¶
thisLayer.fromComp(point[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a point from composition space to layer space. The resulting point in a 3D layer may have a nonzero value even though it is in layer space.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
point |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | The point to convert |
t |
Number | Optional. The time at which to sample the point at. Defaults to time . |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
Example¶
fromComp(thisComp.layer(2).position)
toWorld()¶
thisLayer.toWorld(point[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a point from layer space to view-independent world space.
Tip
Dan Ebberts provides an expression on his MotionScript website that uses the toWorld
method to auto-orient a layer along only one axis. This is useful, for example, for having characters turn from side to side to follow the camera while remaining upright.
Tip
Rich Young provides a set of expressions on his AE Portal website that use the toWorld method link a camera and light to a layer with the CC Sphere effect.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
point |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | The point to convert |
t |
Number | Optional. The time at which to sample the point at. Defaults to time . |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
Example¶
toWorld.effect("Bulge")("Bulge Center")
fromWorld()¶
thisLayer.fromWorld(point[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a point from world space to layer space.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
point |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | The point to convert |
t |
Number | Optional. The time at which to sample the point at. Defaults to time . |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
Example¶
fromWorld(thisComp.layer(2).position)
toCompVec()¶
thisLayer.toCompVec(vec[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a vector from layer space to composition space.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
vec |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | |
t |
Number |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
Example¶
toCompVec([1, 0])
fromCompVec()¶
thisLayer.fromCompVec(vec[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a vector from composition space to layer space.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
vec |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | |
t |
Number |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
Example:¶
For a 2D layer:
const dir = sub(position, thisComp.layer(2).position);
fromCompVec(dir)
toWorldVec()¶
thisLayer.toWorldVec(vec[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a vector from layer space to world space.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
vec |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | |
t |
Number |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
Example¶
Transform two different "Bulge Center" properties from the layer space of the layer the effect is applied to, to the world space of the comp the layers live in:
const p1 = effect("Eye Bulge 1")("Bulge Center");
const p2 = effect("Eye Bulge 2")("Bulge Center");
toWorld(sub(p1, p2))
fromWorldVec()¶
thisLayer.fromWorldVec(vec[, t=time])
Description¶
Transforms a vector from world space to layer space.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
vec |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | |
t |
Number |
Type¶
Array (2- or 3-dimensional)
Example¶
Convert layer #2's position from world space to this layer's space:
fromWorld(thisComp.layer(2).position)
fromCompToSurface()¶
thisLayer.fromCompToSurface(point[, t=time])
Description¶
Projects a point located in composition space to a point on the surface of the layer (zero z-value) at the location where it appears when viewed from the active camera. This method is useful for setting effect control points.
Note
Use with 3D layers only.
Parameters¶
Parameter | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
point |
Array (2- or 3-dimensional) | The point to convert |
t |
Number | Optional. The time at which to sample the point at. Defaults to time . |
Type¶
Array (2-dimensional)