<p>The issue you're experiencing is that the transformation of the circle does not originate where you expect it to be.</p>

<p>This is because the <a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/layer-properties.html#layer_anchor_points" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>anchor point</em></a> of the layer is very far from the center of the visual contents.</p>

<p>You can re-position the anchor point of the layer using the "Pan Behind" tool (also known as "Anchor Point" tool.)</p>

<p>There are scripts that will do this while preserving the visual position of the layer on the canvas; one of my favorites is <a href="http://www.mtmograph.com/motion/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Motion 2 by Mt. Mograph</a> and a very simple, low-cost script is <a href="https://aescripts.com/repositionanchorpoint/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">RepositionAnchorPoint by Charles Bordenave</a></p>

<p>My suggestion would be to first experiment on a copy of your composition to see how manually adjusting the anchor point with the "Pan Behind" tool affects your animation, and once you have a strong grasp on how After Effects implements the changes you make, trying out one of the scripts linked above.</p>

<p>Once you've mastered understanding of the Anchor Point, you'll be able to use <a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/layer-properties.html#null_object_layers" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Null objects</a> and <a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/layer-properties.html#parent_and_child_layers" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Parenting</a> to great effect.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-02T03:04:40.520Z
2017-12-02T03:04:40.520Z
Chris Jeffries
<p>This happens because the Circle anchor point is placed far from it.<br>
Its a good practice to center the Anchor Point to the center of the object before animating it, you can do that manually by:<br></p>

<ul>
<li><p>Clicking <strong>Pan Behind</strong> tool then drag the anchor point to the center
of the object or,</p></li>
<li><p>Ctrl + Double Click on <strong>Pan Behind</strong> tool    to center
automatically. This won't work with all objects/layers.</p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-02T12:25:26.610Z
2017-12-02T12:25:26.610Z
MEGA
<p>Hi I have a circle that moves from A to B. During this path I want to change its size. However, when I do this, the ball suddenly goes up and is not following the path anymore. Heres a gif:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fY7zO.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fY7zO.gif" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>How can I scale the ball so that it stays on the path?</p>

<after-effects><adobe>
Adobe After Effects: Scaling circle changes its movement?
Adam
# Adobe After Effects: Scaling circle changes its movement?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-29)

Hi I have a circle that moves from A to B. During this path I want to change its size. However, when I do this, the ball suddenly goes up and is not following the path anymore. Heres a gif:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/fY7zO.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/fY7zO.gif)

How can I scale the ball so that it stays on the path?

**Tags:** after-effects, adobe


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-12-02. Score: 2

The issue you're experiencing is that the transformation of the circle does not originate where you expect it to be.

This is because the [*anchor point*](https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/layer-properties.html#layer_anchor_points) of the layer is very far from the center of the visual contents.

You can re-position the anchor point of the layer using the "Pan Behind" tool (also known as "Anchor Point" tool.)

There are scripts that will do this while preserving the visual position of the layer on the canvas; one of my favorites is [Motion 2 by Mt. Mograph](http://www.mtmograph.com/motion/) and a very simple, low-cost script is [RepositionAnchorPoint by Charles Bordenave](https://aescripts.com/repositionanchorpoint/)

My suggestion would be to first experiment on a copy of your composition to see how manually adjusting the anchor point with the "Pan Behind" tool affects your animation, and once you have a strong grasp on how After Effects implements the changes you make, trying out one of the scripts linked above.

Once you've mastered understanding of the Anchor Point, you'll be able to use [Null objects](https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/layer-properties.html#null_object_layers) and [Parenting](https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/layer-properties.html#parent_and_child_layers) to great effect.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2017-12-02. Score: 0

This happens because the Circle anchor point is placed far from it.  
Its a good practice to center the Anchor Point to the center of the object before animating it, you can do that manually by:

* Clicking **Pan Behind** tool then drag the anchor point to the center
  of the object or,
* Ctrl + Double Click on **Pan Behind** tool to center
  automatically. This won't work with all objects/layers.


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