When setting a layer to inherit properties from its parent layer, all movements in terms of position, scale and rotation of that parent layer have an effect on its child layer. But what if you only want its position inherited? Luckily, Adobe After Effects expressions allow this. They enable us to disregard parented rotation values!
Start by writing an expression for the rotation property of a child layer. Next, type out this code:
Value-parent.transform.rotation;
Value refers to the layer itself; when removed from its parent layer’s rotation value, this effectively negates its effect and leaves behind child layers’ original rotation values intact.
Now, only the parent layer rotates while child layers do not; their position values remain linked.