<p>Create a path with the <code>Pen Tool</code> first, copy the property <code>path</code> under:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Contents > Shape 1 > Path > <code>Path</code></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Create a <code>NULL object</code> and paste the value you just copied to its <code>position</code> property.</p>

<p>You now have a NULL that follows your 2D path.</p>

<hr>

<p>To enable the <em>Z-axis</em> of the NULL position, toggle the <code>3D Layer setting</code>.</p>

<p>Click on the NULL position property and then get into the <code>Graph Editor</code>, in the bottom bar click the icon <code>Separate Dimensions</code>, this way you now have the 3 axis as separate properties.</p>

<hr>

<p>You can see the <code>Z Position</code> is set at 0 without keyframes, despite the other 2 axis, play now with the <code>Z Position</code> and add keyframes as wished to give a 3<sup>rd</sup> dimension to your previously created 2D path.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-05T15:34:53.777Z
You can link a camera to the NULL object.
Apeiron_Sound
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-05T15:34:05.900Z
2019-11-05T15:34:05.900Z
Apeiron_Sound
<p>I am trying to make a 3D path that will be used as motion path for a object as well as base for <code>Trim Paths</code>. </p>

<p>In other words, I would like to create something like Nyan Cat. I am going to use a path to animate movement of a 'cat' and to use same path to animate 'rainbow' by using <code>Trim Paths</code>. A 'cat' must move through 3D space eventually. Not sure if I chosen right direction so I would appreciate any tips about best practices for that kind of tasks. </p>

<p>However I would really love to learn how to create 3D paths to use them as trajectory for a camera, for example. </p>

<p>What I tried:</p>

<p>To create a circle -> make it 3D ->change its orientation -> <code>convert to Bezier Path</code>-ctrl+c. And then if I try to paste the copied path into an object <code>position</code> it get inserted as a 2D path. I could create 3D motion path for a camera manually using a <code>Pen tool</code>, however I would like a path to be a right circle.</p>

<p>Sorry if my question seems to be stupid, I am a really new. Thank you in advance!</p>

<after-effects>
After Effects: How to make 3D path
Google user
# After Effects: How to make 3D path

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-11-05)

I am trying to make a 3D path that will be used as motion path for a object as well as base for `Trim Paths`.

In other words, I would like to create something like Nyan Cat. I am going to use a path to animate movement of a 'cat' and to use same path to animate 'rainbow' by using `Trim Paths`. A 'cat' must move through 3D space eventually. Not sure if I chosen right direction so I would appreciate any tips about best practices for that kind of tasks.

However I would really love to learn how to create 3D paths to use them as trajectory for a camera, for example.

What I tried:

To create a circle -> make it 3D ->change its orientation -> `convert to Bezier Path`-ctrl+c. And then if I try to paste the copied path into an object `position` it get inserted as a 2D path. I could create 3D motion path for a camera manually using a `Pen tool`, however I would like a path to be a right circle.

Sorry if my question seems to be stupid, I am a really new. Thank you in advance!

**Tags:** after-effects


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-11-05. Score: 1

Create a path with the `Pen Tool` first, copy the property `path` under:

> Contents > Shape 1 > Path > `Path`

Create a `NULL object` and paste the value you just copied to its `position` property.

You now have a NULL that follows your 2D path.

---

To enable the *Z-axis* of the NULL position, toggle the `3D Layer setting`.

Click on the NULL position property and then get into the `Graph Editor`, in the bottom bar click the icon `Separate Dimensions`, this way you now have the 3 axis as separate properties.

---

You can see the `Z Position` is set at 0 without keyframes, despite the other 2 axis, play now with the `Z Position` and add keyframes as wished to give a 3rd dimension to your previously created 2D path.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You can link a camera to the NULL object.  

---

