Can anyone explain this?

[Mylenium]

A null with 3D switch on and set to auto orient along a path will flip on the axis aligned to a bezier motion path as it moves around curves. Yet there is no indication of the change on the layers orientation or rotation properties. It seems to be related to and depends on the curves orientation. I did a search on this form but found only one reference but not specific to this issue and no solution or explaination. If someone would explain it and any possible solutions I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

This is a simple math issue known as "gimbal locking" (every 180 degrees all results for the underlying rotation calculations, which are done in radians, are the same, so when exceeding certain angles stuff will flip around). AE does not have "smart rotation", since it doesn't compare orientation (Quarternion) to rotation (Euler), it blindly only calculates the values. Other then using parented hierarchies you cannot circumvent this easily. Even expressions won't work in this case.

Mylenium

[DLangley]

Hey, thanks for the explanaination; I had been trying to "express" my way around this one and just couldn't find a workable math soulution. Its good to know its not my rusty trig.

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