As a student still learning AE, the rotating part seemed like quite an interesting challenge so I've had a bit of a fiddle. I've found two successful ways to achieve the effect - I can't guarantee either of these is the most sensible or the most effective way to achieve this - but they work which is enough for me.
Both methods require your items as 3d layers plus a Null object (also 3d).
First (simpler(?)) method is - arrange your items in a circle around the Null. Parent the items to the null then either Auto-orient your items towards the camera (Add a camera too) or use an expression to subtract the nulls rotation from the items rotation. (items Y Rotation = - thisComp.layer("Null 2").transform.yRotation).
This works fine but you have to manually arrange your items into the circle, which is annoying, uneven and hard to edit if you want to make it bigger or add more items. In an effort to solve such problems I've worked out an expression led solution as follows -
Name your Null object 'Controls' and add two expression sliders called "Radius" & "Number of Items" and an angle control called "Rotation".
In the position property of your items add the following expression:
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radius = thisComp.layer("Controls").effect("Radius")("Slider");
angle = degreesToRadians(thisComp.layer("Controls").effect("Rotation")("Angle"));
offset = degreesToRadians(index * (360/thisComp.layer("Controls").effect("Number of Items")("Slider")))
x = thisComp.layer("Controls").transform.position[0] - (radius* Math.sin(angle - offset));
z = thisComp.layer("Controls").transform.position[2] + (radius* Math.cos(angle - offset));
y = thisComp.layer("Controls").transform.position[1];
[x,y,z]
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This will orbit your items around the position of the controls null, in a circle sized by the radius slider. Set the Number of items control to whatever number of items you have (Don't set it to 0, it'll break) and it will position them all equally about the circle. Key frame the rotation control to make it spin.
Hopefully that all made sense - if you're interested in the expression it mostly a re-working from reading
this. If anyone has a better method I'd love to see it.
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Only in after effects do children get to pick and whip their parents.
http://hennell-online.co.uk
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