When setting a layer to inherit properties from its parent layer, any position, scale and rotation changes on that parent layer affect the child layer’s properties as well. But if you only want certain aspects inherited – say only position? No worries: Adobe After Effects offers an expression which allows parents’ rotation values to be disregarded.
Start by writing an expression for the rotation property of a child layer, followed by typing this:
Value of Transform and Rotation;
Value refers to the layer’s original value; by subtracting this number from Parent, the rotation effect is removed and child layers retain their original rotation values intact.
Now, only the parent layer rotates; child layers remain motionless with position values still linked together.