Make Column

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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 an LLM like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to verify it for you.

Option 1: Install to your AE Folder

Download 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 an 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();
})();