What It Does
Multi Parent Rigging lets you parent a single layer to up to 10 different targets at once. Instead of After Effects’ standard parenting (where a layer inherits all transform properties from one parent), this tool gives you granular control. Parent just the X position to one layer, rotation to another, and scale to a third. Or blend multiple influences using sliders.
This is built for modular animation. Create your walk cycle on null objects, your jump on different nulls, then use sliders to blend between them. Your character switches from walking to jumping without redoing keyframes. Same idea for having a character grab and hold a moving object: animate the object, then parent the hand to it with a slider. No doubling up on keyframes.
Key Features
Up to 10 parents per layer. Each parent can influence different properties, at different times, or all at once.
Global or individual property control. Use one slider to control all transform properties together, or dive into advanced settings to control position X/Y/Z, rotation X/Y/Z, scale X/Y/Z, and opacity separately. You can even invert individual properties (e.g., follow the opposite rotation of Y).
Works with parented layers. Whether your layer already has a parent or your target is parented to something else, the script handles it. Keyframes on the layer fade out as you increase the slider.
Auto-generates controllers and targets. The script can create controller layers for your sliders and generate null targets to use as parents.
Works in 2D and 3D. The tool detects 3D layers automatically and adjusts.
Compatible with expressions. If your layer already has expressions, Multi Parent Rigging works alongside them.
Who It’s For
Character animators who want reusable, modular rigs. Instead of keyframing every movement directly on your character, build a library of animations on nulls (walk, run, jump, idle) and blend between them. Also useful for motion graphics work where you need layers to follow multiple objects at different times (think procedural animations or complex transitions).
Pricing
$29.99 for a single-user license. A free trial is available with restrictions: limited to 2 parents, only position and opacity properties, and no advanced settings. Bundle pricing available when purchased with Character Swing Rigging and Wave-o-Matic (20% discount for all three, 10% for two).