Make Column

Currently I give away all my motion scripts for free. If you've found them useful and would like to support future development, you can do so here →

How to use the script

Always check code before running it on your computer. Even basic scripts like this one. If you’re not a developer, ask a LLM like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to verify it for you.

Option 1: Install to your AE Folder

Download this and install the below .jsx file in your After Effects Script folder. You can then run it using the scripts menu, or by using a launcher like Quick Menu 3.

Option 2: Adapt the script yourself

Alternatively copy the code below and develop your own version. If you’re not a developer you can do this easily with a LLM like ChatGPT.

makeColumn.jsx1.7KB

// Script to create centered nulls and parent selected layers
//
// Adds a null at the center of selected layers, named 'column1',
// 'column2', etc. Each time the script runs, it increments the
// number. Selected layers are parented to the created null.

(function() {
    var comp = app.project.activeItem;
    if (!(comp && comp instanceof CompItem)) {
        alert("Please select a composition.");
        return;
    }

    var selectedLayers = comp.selectedLayers;
    if (selectedLayers.length === 0) {
        alert("Please select at least one layer.");
        return;
    }

    app.beginUndoGroup("Create Centered Null and Parent Layers");

    // Determine the next available 'column' name
    var nullIndex = 1;
    while (comp.layer("column" + nullIndex)) {
        nullIndex++;
    }
    var nullName = "column" + nullIndex;

    // Calculate the center position of selected layers
    var minX = Infinity, maxX = -Infinity;
    var minY = Infinity, maxY = -Infinity;

    for (var i = 0; i < selectedLayers.length; i++) {
        var layer = selectedLayers[i];
        var pos = layer.property("Position").value;
        minX = Math.min(minX, pos[0]);
        maxX = Math.max(maxX, pos[0]);
        minY = Math.min(minY, pos[1]);
        maxY = Math.max(maxY, pos[1]);
    }

    var centerX = (minX + maxX) / 2;
    var centerY = (minY + maxY) / 2;

    // Create null at the center position
    var nullLayer = comp.layers.addNull(comp.duration);
    nullLayer.name = nullName;
    nullLayer.property("Position").setValue([centerX, centerY]);

    // Parent selected layers to the null
    for (var i = 0; i < selectedLayers.length; i++) {
        selectedLayers[i].parent = nullLayer;
    }

    app.endUndoGroup();
})();