Adobe After Effects Basics Tutorial 7/8 - Null Objects

Don't know what NULL OBJECTS are in Adobe After Effects? This tutorial will explain what they are and how you can use them to manage your VFX better!

Null objects are simple markers with a position, rotation and scale - collectively referred to as the 'transform'.
They are invisible and will not be rendered as part of your final video export. However, they are extremely useful in a number of different scenarios to make your life easier and help you manage complex visual effects:

1. To control the movement of other layers by parenting them to a null object. The null object will define the reference point for the other layers and you can move/scale/rotate (animate) the null object to control how the child layers will behave.
If you are not sure how parenting works, check out my parenting basics tutorial here:

2. To control effect parameters. You can place a null object in your scene and then link parameters from effects on other layers to it, e.g. the position property of a lens flare effect. This gives you easier access to the property and you can animate it simply by animating the null object.

3. As container for expression controls. Expression controls are simple effect that give you access to simple tools like sliders, checkboxes, colour selectors and more. You can learn all about expression controls in this tutorial:
Create a new null object and assign any expression control effect to it. I like to call these layers 'CONTROL' as they are merely containers for the controls that I can then use to animate and manage all of the effects in my composition.

Null objects, while invisible, have a ton of great uses and I encourage you to use them wherever you can to make your life easier when working in Adobe After Effects!

You can find a detailed written version of this tutorial with step by step instructions on my website:

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[SurfacedStudio]

Brand new #VFX tutorial now available on my YouTube channel: learn all about NULL OBJECTS in Adobe #AfterEffects! Check it out!

[BloxMine]

can't understand how you don't have more viewers.. I mean with the best AE tutorial on Youtube.

[mihaidolganiuc]

Now Honestly!

I've watched a lot of tutorials, but yours are truly great.

You have a gift of explaining things, and make them seem so easy. 

Thank you very much !!!!

[milovarquiel]

Your tutorials are great and timeless.

That means the way you teach is very concise and gets to the point.

Thank you for this videos.

[DEFACTO]

I was very suprised at the high quality and precise information provided by this excellent video. One of the best. Thank you.

[polinapetrova]

I agree with the previous commentators. This is perhaps one of the best tutorials. Your train of thought is very clean.

I'm subscribing for more :))

[piratescode]

These are my favorite and best Adobe After Effects Tutorials on the Internet.

[WMWAnimations]

you are easily one of the COOLEST people to give adobe after effects tutorials! Your very fun to listen to, enjoy the tips!

[FoolTheViking]

I have watched this video several times over the years, and I finally have a better grip on null objects thanks to this tutorial. It's been something that has gone over my head for a long time. Tonight I set out to understand it better. Already have a project open and just rolling with something basic.... It's working!

[dbcontre]

Tobias, I watched this tutorial a few months ago and I didnt quite understand the use, but now that I've been practicing AE for bit, your explanation makes total sense! This clicked in my head right away, and it helped me understand slider controls and their relevancy to creating custom scripts. Thank you.

[stevenpollock]

Thanks Tobias, your tutorials are easily the best I've seen anywhere, concise, easy to follow and very very useful.

[montgal]

Great I have now concluded that Andrew Kramer and yourself are the BEST instructors on Youtube. You are clear, concise and I can follow your steps easily. I am a neophyte in AE, and I understood EVERY word you said. You were easy to follow and it was great. Now I can use my Null Object in a project I am now undertaking. Thank you so very much. I look forward to future tutorials

[vishandsuch]

i have seen a lot of ae tutorials and yours are by far the best. its great the way you explain stuff.

[FamilyGamingFun]

The fact that 58 people actually gave this video a thumbs down just goes to show that there are plenty of mind numb idiots with nothing to do in life but hate on others. Your videos are awesome and I appreciate them much. I watch them constantly while creating new videos and trying new stuff. Keep them coming!

[alecthemad]

I watch so many after effects tutorials and none have explained Null objects as clearly as this. Thanks.

[ericnishiokajudo]

Awesome video! thanks for making, unlike most tutorials it was very well written and easy to follow, will definitely be watching more of your videos:)

[synthiboy]

Finally starting to realize I need to work with null objects and this tutorial is a very good start, thx !

[UnnaturalHunter]

Your the man, keep up your awesome work Tobias!

[ECUSFodollah]

Hey man - love your tutorials.  Thanks so much for taking the time to create this and want to share with the community.  Cheers!

[cbowles]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have a much better understanding now of null objects. Really great examples that I can use in my own projects. Awesome!