• Adobe After Effects

  After Effects correct way to use camera?

  Posted by Andrew Hunt on May 5, 2015 at 2:24 pm

  Hi I am trying to learn how to use the After Effects camera to create movement in 3D space. I am trying to orbit the camera around an object like in this photo: proper3dspace0-00-00-02.jpg

  But instead it starts the turn and zooms really far into the object then out the other end completing the orbit.
  Like through the object as shown in this photo: proper3dspace0-00-01-17.jpg

  I can video it if you want.

  Thanks for your help.

  Andrew Hunt replied 11 years, 4 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
• 2 Replies

• 

  Darby Edelen

  May 5, 2015 at 5:50 pm

  It sounds like you’ve set just a few position keyframes. You should check in one of the orthogonal views (Top, probably) to see what your motion path looks like. You can use the pen tool (Shortcut is ‘G’) to modify the motion path in the same way that you’d modify a mask: pulling out bezier handles or adding new vertices/keyframes. You’ll want your motion path to more closely resemble a circle rather than a line.

  Alternatively, if you want a perfect orbit the most straightforward method would be to parent your camera to a 3D null layer at the center of the orbit and animate the rotation of the null.

  Darby Edelen
• 

  Andrew Hunt

  May 6, 2015 at 9:13 pm

  Thanks guys, I will try your suggestions and report back. One quick question, I am not an expert in AE, but I use element 3D and various other videocopilot products. I have just found a model online which is in blender, 3ds and max format and I am trying to import it. I downloaded blender and exported the OBJ and all of the textures as .jpg. However when I load it into element, the model is white and I can’t see any way to auto load all of the textures. I googled it and it seems I would have to texture each material with specular, reflection etc. Unfortunately the texture files I have do not say what they are so I would be unable to do it. I am considering learning how to use a 3D program to render then composite into after effects.

  Can someone point me in the right direction, please?

  Thanks again!

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