-
Stumped with write on
Hi need to scale up a graphic a wavy line in 3d space its an AI file so ive set it to continuous raster. Using the write on effect to reveal it over time but when i precomp and raster the write does not seem to scale with the wavy line. Im probably doing something really stupid or some ones gonna tell me to use an animated mask instead but there has to be a simple way to do this.
Nicholas Raeburn
Cheers -
4 Replies
-
Your are coming up against one of the limitations of continuously rasterizing/collapsing transformations. When you apply an effect to a layer that has this switch active the render order which is normally MASKS, EFFECTS, TRANSFORM changes to TRANSFORM, MASKS, EFFECTS. This is why the Write On (EFFECT) is not scaling (TRANSFORM) with the wavy line. If you disable the CT switch everything should look fine, but of course you need the line to look sharp when it’s scaled… Try doing the scaling to the layer in one extra large comp, then precompose and apply the effect to the new precomp.
The issue applying effects and masks to collapsed layers (and collapsing 3D layers) is one of the more complicated to get your head around, even advanced users come up against problems with this. I’ve personally requested Adobe provide a better explanation and give workarounds for this issue in future manuals/online help.
JD
John Dickinson
Motionworks
https://www.motionworks.com.au -
Cheers John im pretty seasoned with AE and your right never come up against this before I kinda figured write on wouldnt work in this instance and have used an animated mask instead.
Thanks for the quick reply.
And your right this is a rather large limitation of AE for someone whos been using it for about three years im surprised I never noticed it before thought I knew this app inside out, ah well live and learn I guess.
Nicholas Raeburn -
It only became an issue as of v6 when the ability to apply effects and masks to collapsed layers was introduceds. Most of the time it’s extremely useful, like when you want to color correct, apply a blur or a quick mask to a collapsed layer.
JD
John Dickinson
Motionworks
https://www.motionworks.com.au -
Still a bit of a pain though when you have a complicated and fast animation like i do the only alternative i have is to mask it (very time consuming) i cant apply my effect afterward (write on) beacuse it would probably take even longer to painstakingly keyframe the effect.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up