• Adobe After Effects

  Connecting a Curved Line Between Two 3d Null Objects.

  Posted by Andy Sapp on October 4, 2011 at 7:44 pm

  I am looking to attach a curved line between two null objects exported in 3d-space out of Maya. I have done some research, and the only solution that seems close is to use the beam effect – however, I need to simulate fishing line hanging from these points… so it needs to have a curve to it. The beam effect, from what I can tell, only generates a straight line. It also needs to work in 3d space.

  Is there a plugin that might work for this? Or an expression that I haven’t stumbled upon yet?

  Thanks!
  —
  Andy.

  Andy Sapp replied 14 years, 10 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
• 2 Replies

• 

  Roland R. kahlenberg

  October 5, 2011 at 2:14 am

  To have Beam’s Starting and Ending Points follow a 3D layer, start by applying the following Expression to the Starting Point parameter –

  —
  StartTarget = thisComp.layer(“Null 01”);
  StartTarget.toComp([0,0,0])
  —
  Where Null 01 corresponds to the Null representing the start point. Then, analogously, the Expression for the Ending Point parameter
  is –

  —
  EndTarget = thisComp.layer(“Null 01”);
  EndTarget.toComp([0,0,0])
  —

  The trick now is to get the bend. AE’s distort tools will only allow you to anchor one end of the Beam while the other end will drift, depending on your settings. Turbulent Displace seems to have the best ‘control’ (Pin All Locked option) over this but again, it all depends on the how much you distort.

  A fool-proof method would be to create a mask shape with two vertices representing the two Nulls you have. You will first have to convert the 3D Null positional values into 2D. Then link each point to its respective Mask’s vertex.

  This final step requires a Script – more info here https://provideocoalition.com/index.php/mchristiansen/story/tip_track_a_mask_in_after_effects_with_trackerviz/

  Once you’ve got the two mask vertices properly tracked, All you need to do is to convert the default linear mask vertices into bezier mask vertices – this is to convert the straight line into a curve. Of course, apply the Stroke effect to view the line in the Comp Panel.

  Kinda long-winded way but it does provide the most control.

  HTH
  RoRK

  Intensive AE & Mocha Training in Asia.
• 

  Andy Sapp

  October 5, 2011 at 10:02 pm

  Fantastic info, Roland! I will definitely give this a rip and see how I fair.

  THANK YOU!!!

  Andy Sapp
  http://www.andysapp.com

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