3D block problem

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I’ve said it to people before, but AE is not a 3D modeling program. If you’re wanting to create true 3D blocks in AE it’s going to take some hard work.
From your starting point of creating the pieces of your blocks in your graphical editor use tight mathematics within each piece to be used. You may want to also create a 2-4pixel black/color border (or a border of similar size with 10% opacity color of your pane)to use as a safety net for intersecting panes in AE (AE can’t join two layers into a polygonal 3D object (the layers just sort of sit there, touching each other). You’ll have to create each block as a separate comp to keep things organized (retain layer properties, don’t flatten it to 2d for the final comp). Import your graphics (pieces) for one block. Model the block to the best of your ability in AE 3d and parent all the layers to the front pane; That way if for some reason you move it in it’s original comp you won’t mess up your layer’s intersections. If you get the original 6 blocks (of tetris) made in a single generic color in their original comps, you can add them into your main comp in any order, angle, color (color effects) that you want.

I did something like this with a pacman theme once. It’ll take a lot of work, but if you can get it to the point that you like it, most other people won’t notice, in the split second that something is on screen, the details. Like Stu says, It’s suspension of disbelief, use broad strokes.

[Don Sciore]

One thought is if you are using an older version of AE, the Advanced 3D from the Composition Settings may not be on.(now it is default on) This causes interesting intersection problems. Secondly make sure you are working in a “Square pixel” comp. Otherwise, creating a cube is a rather simple effort of creating six sides, adjusting them by 90 degrees and changing relative x,y,z by half the width. Parenting all to a Null.

Good luck.

[Don Sciore]

Link to screen capture

https://sacanimation.com/information/cube.html

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Keep in mind that if you’re fusing them into a solid shape at the end (for logo or whatever) that you can hide the lines of the pieces by faking the merge. Just transition from the animation of your pieces making the cube to a final copy of the simplified cube. If done right, it’ll look like your pieces merged to create a unified whole.