Lesson 4: 3D Space CMM204 – Digital Media Effects

Chapter Objectives Learn about the Z dimension Rotation and orientation in 3D space 3D motion paths Mixing 2D and 3D layer

Topics to be covered The new dimension Spin Tracking in 3D Anchors and Offsets 3D views Layouts 3D Motion Paths Auto Orient along 3D Path Rending Order Mixing 2D and 3D Layers Blending Modes

The New Dimension When working in 2D, you will see the x- axis and the y-axis In 3D, there is another axis, the z-axis Z-axis is the pane from your computer screen to your eyes To switch a 2D layer to a 3D layer click on the 3D layer switch With this switch you can move the object in the z-axis

Spin Tracking in 3D With the 3D switch on you can see four new properties (Orientation, X Rotation, Y Rotation, Z Rotation) You can use the different axis rotation to rotate the object in that axis Orientation is used to pose a layer Rotation is used to animate a layer

Anchors and Offsets Like all other properties, the Anchor point will also have a z value when the 3D switch is on Z Anchor point value can become an invisible extension for the anchor’s natural pivot point

3D Views Six Orthographic views –Front –Left –Top –Back –Right –Bottom Three custom views –Custom view 1 –Custom view 2 –Custom view 3

Layouts Able to have up to 4 views with different angles Able to arrange the objects in 3D space without having to move the camera to get a better look

Getting Grip So far we are able to move the object in 3D space using the properties You can also directly move the object using the XYZ Axis arrows

Twirl versus Spin We can rotate the object directly in the comp panel using the Rotation Tool To change the orientation ensure that in tools panel orientation is selected To change the rotation ensure that in tools panel orientation is selected To change specific axis, mouse over the axis to change it’s value

3D Motion Paths Go to the starting position and set a keyframe for position Go to the ending position and set a keyframe and change the X,Y and Z values

Auto Orient along 3D Path Select the layer that has motion path Layer>Transform>Auto-Orient (Ctrl+Alt+O) Additional option to orient towards camera Orientation property will help to get the object’s starting position right

Rendering Orders For 2D, After Effects takes the bottom layer in the timeline panel and composites the next layer up the stack on top of it and so on. For 3D, using the Z values they will be determined how they will be stacked in space, the larger Z values being further away and the smaller ones being closer.

Mixing 2D and 3D layers 2D layers act as “render breaks” between 3D layers Groups of 3D layers that are stacked between 2D layers are internally flattened down to a 2D result Entire composition is then rendered as if it consisted of 2D layers only Each group of 3D layers are treated as a single 2D layer in the middle of the stack

Breaking the Render Order Inserting the following types of layers between 3D layers will break up their groups –Any 2D layer, with exception of Null Objects –Any adjustment Layer, even if its 3D Layer switch is enable. The exception is an Adjustment Light –Any Layer that has a Layer Style applied to it

Blending Modes Found in Timeline panel under mode Many Modes can be found some of which are –Dissolve –Darken –Multiply –Color Burn –Lighten –Screen

Track Mattes Also works in 3D Need to place matte above the layer to be matted in the timeline Four Different Tack Matte –Alpha Matte –Alpha Inverted Matte –Luma Matte –Luma Inverted Matte

Stencils Do not work in 3D anymore for CS3 Two different Stencils –Stencil Alpha –Stencil Luma

Thank You!