2D objects along a 3D path

[Andrew Yoole]

Your motion paths are not true ellipses, and the speed between points in your motion paths is inconsistent.

You can draw an ellipse with the Mask/Path tool and then copy and paste it into the Position parameter.

Set each ball to “Orient to Camera” so that the layer will always face the camera, regardless of the position.

[Michael Schmidt]

Hi Andrew,

thanks for your reply.

But I did use that exact way to create the positions – those paths are perfect ellipses:
https://amor.rz.hu-berlin.de/~schoebem/zwischenablage01.jpg

And since it’s all done in 2D there is no camera position I have to chose. It’s an entirely flat composition.

My guess is that this is exactly the problem – that I can’t really create the right feel without going 3D. Problem is I have no clue how to do it in 3D, even though I imagine it to be very simple.

Thanks though!

Michael

[Andrew Yoole]

My apologies – you did say you were working in 2D only.

Yes, mimicking the real-world physics of such an animation can be very tricky. For example, the speed of each object should slow the further away from the viewer it is.

It would be well worth your while creating the layers in 3D – probably much easier and more realistic than the option you’re trying here.

[Michael Schmidt]

Right, speed is something I haven’t thought about. Thanks!

I should go 3D, but I have no idea how to achieve what I’m looking for in 3D.

If there is an appropriate tutorial online it would be great if I’d be pointed towards it.

Many thanks!

Michael

[Jacob Wessler]

Michael,

Check out Andrew Kramer’s site – http://www.videocopilot.net

He has an excellent blog as well as great tutorials for After Effects (beginners, and more advanced stuff).

Specifically, check out this blog post:
https://www.videocopilot.net/blog/2009/01/new-tutorial-presets-more/

Dowload his presents and install them as instructed.

Then, look for the “3D Orbit” preset and apply to your layer (make sure it’s a 3D layer!!).

This will give you a nice circular orbit that you can stretch at will to make an ellipse. Rotate along the X axis for “near…..FAR” effects and animate at will.

Good Luck,
Jacob

[Michael Schmidt]

Thank you SO much for pointing me towards those presets!!!

https://amor.rz.hu-berlin.de/~schoebem/animation1.gif

Now it looks exactly like I need it 🙂

Cheers

Michael

[Darby Edelen]

Honestly the easiest way to make an orbit in 3D is to make your ‘planet’ layer 3D, then create a Null object and make it 3D. Parent the planet layer to the Null layer, set the planet’s position value to something like [0, 0, 500] and then animate the Null object’s Y-rotation.

This works because the [0,0,500] position of the planet is relative to the parent Null. The radius of the orbit will be 500 pixels.

Darby Edelen

[Jovie brett Bardoles]

Hi Darby! It really helped me alot on figuring on how to fly this circle off and it smoothly worked! https://plus.google.com/+JovieBrettBardoles/posts/dRbXDnsmh5o

But I have one more question, do you know how to make a circle shape appear from the right of the screen circling down to the center? For a clearer visualization, it’s like an example like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faacIELjUeI at 0:51
Thanks!

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