2D text in a 3D space? with Apple Motion

Apple Motion

2D text in a 3D space? with Apple Motion

Posted by Kevin Jones on March 30, 2012 at 11:22 am

Probably a simple request, but I’ve been scouring the net for a tutorial and can’t find anything.

Basically, I’m looking to overlay text over a video in Apple motion in 3d space. However, I don’t want the text itself to be 3d blocks or extruded.

I just want it to be thin or 2d, moving in and out of frame as in a 3d space. Ideally matching this 3d space to that of the video it is overlaid on.

When I try to do this in Motion, and twist the text into 3d perspective, the video layer is turning with it.

I did see a similar post on here, but the solution proposed didnt address the problem. (A kinetic typography tutorial)

Any ideas much appreciated!

Stephen Smith replied 14 years, 5 months ago 2 Members · 6 Replies
6 Replies

Stephen Smith
March 30, 2012 at 3:22 pm

Is this correct:

You want flat text to have a video playing inside of it. And the video and text move around in 3D space as if they are one element? Is that correct?

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Vimeo page
Kevin Jones
March 30, 2012 at 4:45 pm

Sorry no, I will try explain again.

I want 2d video playing, say a shot of a building.

Then I want simple text over the top of it. But I don’t want the text just lying flat on a layer above it. I want the text to be in 3d space, as if part of the landscape. Like when you use the ‘perspective’ tool in Photoshop. Make sense?
Kevin Jones
March 30, 2012 at 4:49 pm

Also, I want to animate the text, so it flys in and out of the screen..
Stephen Smith
March 30, 2012 at 4:58 pm

To have the video not move and have the Text layer move in 3D space place the Text and Video in two different groups. Make the Video group a 2D group. Make the Text group a 3D group. Then you can animate the text with the camera and the video will not move.

Or you can have both the text and the video in a group and just change the Text layers Rotation independently of the video.

Is this what you are looking for?

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Vimeo page
Kevin Jones
March 30, 2012 at 10:26 pm

Yes this sounds perfect. Thanks for the tips.
Stephen Smith
March 30, 2012 at 10:41 pm

Happy to help. Best of luck.

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Vimeo page

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