Mikey Borup shares some tips for rigging a clock in After Effects, showing how to make the hands move properly interrelation to each other.
Some quick expression tips on creating a clock, and making it move properly
Rigging the locker is simple, driving it off of expressions that can be picked from other layers, but there is something that will cause the expressions to break if you are not careful.
More Resources for Rigging a Clock
We have seen this type of expression rigging before when creating a clock in After Effects. Daniel Brodesky had a look at how to create a clock showing how to have it all work correctly by the use of expressions. Check out the post Creating a Clock Driven by Expressions in After Effects for more information on that.
On the topic of clocks and switching to a more retro inspired look, Matas Zaloga at one time showed how to create the flipping number display version of a clock. Using all standard tools in Ae, Matas created lighting and fake shadows to give the clock a more realistic look. Check out the tutorial for Creating a Retro Flip-Clock Animation in After Effects here.
It might be interesting to see how the expressions for rigging a clock would change from After Effects to Cinema 4D. Thankfully, Joey Korenman had a look at the basics for using Xpresso and expressions in Cinema 4D by creating expressions that will actually run a Clock which will keep real time. Check out the tutorial for Rigging a Clock in Cinema 4D with Xpresso here.
