In After Effects, a null object is primarily used for what purpose?

A null object in After Effects serves primarily as a control layer for manipulating other layers in your composition. By using a null object, you can group multiple layers together so that any transformations, such as position, scale, or rotation, applied to the null object will also affect all the layers linked to it. This is particularly useful when you want to create complex animations that depend on the coordinated movement of several elements.

For instance, if you have a character and a background that need to move together in a dynamic scene, you can parent the character layer and any other related layers to the null object. When you move the null object, all the associated layers will follow, ensuring that your animation remains consistent and organized.

In contrast, a null object is not designed for creating static layers or directly holding effects. While you can use a null object to manage effects indirectly through parent-child relationships, its primary role is as a control mechanism rather than an effect holder or audio source. Therefore, controlling multiple layers captures the essence of what a null object is primarily intended for in After Effects.