<p>Use <a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/animating-puppet-tools.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Puppet Tools</a>. </p>

<p><kbd>⌘/ctrl</kbd><kbd>p</kbd> will switch to the puppet-pin tool. Click on the layer where you want to be able to drag it, say on the head, then click any other areas that you want to have control over - so, if you want the feet to stay still, put a pin on the three visible feet, and maybe the tail.</p>

<p>Now move the playhead down the timeline, and select one of the little yellow dots and drag it. This will deform the layer like it was stretchy. By default when you put a pin on a layer it is already animated, so if you wind the playhead back to the original point you'll see the pony moving. The other puppet tools let you adjust the stiffness of parts of the mesh, and control which parts overlap.</p>

<p>To get really hardcore you can rig the layer, as you would a 3D character. One of the best tools for rigging IMHO is <a href="https://rainboxprod.coop/en/tools/duik/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">DUIK</a>, and not only because it's free.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-26T13:03:49.013Z
2018-03-26T13:03:49.013Z
stib
<p>I know about CC Mesh Warp and I use it to move static pictures in simple cartoon scenes, but is there anything more convenient?</p>

<p>Like for example I need this pony to slowly sway left and right while staying on the same spot. What is the best way to do it?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/CyWoa.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/CyWoa.png" alt=""></a></p>

<after-effects><animation>
How can I make pseudo 3D movements to static PNG in AE?
Ant
# How can I make pseudo 3D movements to static PNG in AE?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-24)

I know about CC Mesh Warp and I use it to move static pictures in simple cartoon scenes, but is there anything more convenient?

Like for example I need this pony to slowly sway left and right while staying on the same spot. What is the best way to do it?

Thank you!

[![](https://i.sstatic.net/CyWoa.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/CyWoa.png)

**Tags:** after-effects, animation


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-03-26. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Use [Puppet Tools](https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/animating-puppet-tools.html).

`⌘/ctrl``p` will switch to the puppet-pin tool. Click on the layer where you want to be able to drag it, say on the head, then click any other areas that you want to have control over - so, if you want the feet to stay still, put a pin on the three visible feet, and maybe the tail.

Now move the playhead down the timeline, and select one of the little yellow dots and drag it. This will deform the layer like it was stretchy. By default when you put a pin on a layer it is already animated, so if you wind the playhead back to the original point you'll see the pony moving. The other puppet tools let you adjust the stiffness of parts of the mesh, and control which parts overlap.

To get really hardcore you can rig the layer, as you would a 3D character. One of the best tools for rigging IMHO is [DUIK](https://rainboxprod.coop/en/tools/duik/), and not only because it's free.


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