<p>Use Expression Slider Controls to drive <strong>multiple Shape Layer Wiggle Path Values</strong>.</p>

<p>Here is an example of driving <code>Size</code> and <code>Detail</code> values of the <code>Wiggle Path Property</code> on <strong>6 Shape Layers</strong> with 2 created <strong>Slider Controls</strong> on a seperate <code>Null Layer</code>:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/iPOCJ.gif" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Note: To save time, it's a good idea to create <strong>one shape layer first</strong>, set it up as described below and <strong>duplicate it afterwards</strong> to maintain the expression links.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DPZKs.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<ol>
<li>Create a <code>Shape Layer</code> and a <code>Null Object</code></li>
<li>Add <code>Wiggle Path Property</code> to the <code>Shape Layer</code> </li>
<li>Add a <code>Slider Control</code> to the <code>Null</code> <strong>for every value</strong> you need for animation <em>(size, speed, correlation ...)</em> and name it like these for a better organization</li>
<li>Select the <code>Null</code> and go to <em>Effect > Expression Control > Slider Control</em></li>
<li>Open up the <strong>properties of the both layers</strong> by clicking on the small arrow <kbd> > </kbd> right beside the layer's name to see the values of the <code>Wiggle Path</code> and the newly created <code>slider control</code> at the same time</li>
<li>Holding down <kbd>Alt</kbd> while clicking on the <strong>stop watch</strong> of a <code>Wiggle Path Value</code> like the <code>Size</code> or <code>Detail</code>, this automatically will insert an <strong>expression</strong></li>
<li>Use the <strong>expression pick whip</strong> and drag it onto the predefined Slider Control of the <code>Null</code> before to link/parent it, for e.g. the <strong>Size of Wiggle Paths</strong>, this should create something like: <code>thisComp.layer("Name of the Null").effect("Size")("Name of Slider Control")</code></li>
<li><strong>Repeat the process of parenting</strong> the <code>Wiggle Path Values</code> to the <code>Sliders</code> as long as all needed values are parented to slider controls correctly </li>
<li>If you duplicate the <code>Shape Layer</code> with <kbd>CTRL</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd> now, <strong>all expressions will retained</strong> for the duplicated layers</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-04T18:07:04.447Z
@Ali Cleaned up the answer, added a screenshot and a gif for better understanding.
p2or
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-04T16:36:56.800Z
2015-08-26T14:58:33.853Z
2015-08-26T14:58:33.853Z
p2or
<p>I have multiple shape layers, and I want to add <code>Wiggle Paths</code> to all of them.<br>
One way of course is to manually add to each of them.<br>
Is there a way to add it to all of them at once? Specially is there a way to control them all in one place? so if I wanted to change the Wiggle parameters (like size, speed, correlation ...) I can change them all at once?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-04T16:07:23.587Z
Thanks @poor . I didn't know you can add "path operations" to Null layers. let me try it.
Ali
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-04T16:10:46.997Z
Ah, I was also thinking I may find an effect to do the same thing
Ali
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-04T16:13:42.210Z
The only way is to drive your values by **Slider Control's** created on a _Null_, but this could take ca. 20min to setup.
p2or
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-04T16:18:55.423Z
I like the idea of a "slider control" why don't you put it as an answer so that I can accept it?
Ali
<after-effects>
Add path operation to multiple shape layers
Ali
# Add path operation to multiple shape layers

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-04)

I have multiple shape layers, and I want to add `Wiggle Paths` to all of them.  
One way of course is to manually add to each of them.  
Is there a way to add it to all of them at once? Specially is there a way to control them all in one place? so if I wanted to change the Wiggle parameters (like size, speed, correlation ...) I can change them all at once?

**Tags:** after-effects

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks @poor . I didn't know you can add "path operations" to Null layers. let me try it.  
> **username_0**: Ah, I was also thinking I may find an effect to do the same thing  
> **username_1**: The only way is to drive your values by **Slider Control's** created on a _Null_, but this could take ca. 20min to setup.  
> **username_0**: I like the idea of a "slider control" why don't you put it as an answer so that I can accept it?  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-04-04. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Use Expression Slider Controls to drive **multiple Shape Layer Wiggle Path Values**.

Here is an example of driving `Size` and `Detail` values of the `Wiggle Path Property` on **6 Shape Layers** with 2 created **Slider Controls** on a seperate `Null Layer`:

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

Note: To save time, it's a good idea to create **one shape layer first**, set it up as described below and **duplicate it afterwards** to maintain the expression links.

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

1. Create a `Shape Layer` and a `Null Object`
2. Add `Wiggle Path Property` to the `Shape Layer`
3. Add a `Slider Control` to the `Null` **for every value** you need for animation *(size, speed, correlation ...)* and name it like these for a better organization
4. Select the `Null` and go to *Effect > Expression Control > Slider Control*
5. Open up the **properties of the both layers** by clicking on the small arrow  `>`  right beside the layer's name to see the values of the `Wiggle Path` and the newly created `slider control` at the same time
6. Holding down `Alt` while clicking on the **stop watch** of a `Wiggle Path Value` like the `Size` or `Detail`, this automatically will insert an **expression**
7. Use the **expression pick whip** and drag it onto the predefined Slider Control of the `Null` before to link/parent it, for e.g. the **Size of Wiggle Paths**, this should create something like: `thisComp.layer("Name of the Null").effect("Size")("Name of Slider Control")`
8. **Repeat the process of parenting** the `Wiggle Path Values` to the `Sliders` as long as all needed values are parented to slider controls correctly
9. If you duplicate the `Shape Layer` with `CTRL`+`D` now, **all expressions will retained** for the duplicated layers

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: @username_0 Cleaned up the answer, added a screenshot and a gif for better understanding.  

---

