accordion layers folding

[Jerzy Drozda jr]

I don’t understand what you need exactly, but maybe you should try Card Wipe or Card Dance?

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maltaannon.com – Free After Effects Video Tutorials and more

[Steve Roberts]

If I understand you …

… you need to move the anchor point of each layer to the point where it hinges. The inner layers need to have their anchor points located where they meet, and the outer two layers need to have their anchor points where they meet the inner two layers.

Also, the outer two layers, since they need to follow the middle two, need to be parented to the middle two layers.

All layers are 3D layers, rotating on their Y-axis.

You could search the COW for “paper airplane” for more info on folding stuff.

[Josh Weiss]

Steve, this is how I set it up initially but keying it by hand doesn’t work as the centers will overlap as they are rotating in. This is the perfect example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK7GsFF8KR0

go to about 56 seconds in where the sidewalk folds in.

[Steve Roberts]

Holy cow. We have a perspective thing here: I thought you were looking at the face of the layers.

Hmm. I seriously doubt that AE was used to create the primary effect. It sounds as if Maya was used:

“VS: The fold-in transitions are all very seamless. How did you create them?

MT: The actual execution of the fold-ins was a delicate balance of live-action and CG work, preceded by a period of meticulous planning. It starts in-camera, with us shooting two different camera moves of the same scene. We design these camera moves so that they match exactly, except one is the reciprocal of the other. So, for instance, one move goes right, and the other goes left. Then we composite those shots together in a way that brings the perspectives together. After that, we replace the center section with CG, using the textures and materials we shot in live action in order to create a believable setting. As the scene folds, we use entirely CG objects to flatten and fall into the fold. The final little touches, like the dust on the chalk scene, falling dirt, and candy exploding from the pinata, really make the difference in fooling the eye that it’s all actually happening.”

https://www.videostatic.com/vs/motion_theory/index.html

And at https://www.studiodaily.com/filmandvideo/projects/f/musicvideos/4508.html

“In post, the center section of the shot was replaced with CG in Maya and After Effects, using textures and materials from the live-action shoot to enhance the realism of the backdrop. As the scene folds, the physical objects become entirely CG just before they flatten and collapse into the fold like so much cardboard. Finally, the eye is tricked into accepting the movement by the addition of such visual flourishes as particles flying, puffs of dust, and candy emerging from a pi

[Josh Weiss]

Yes, I realize this is a much more complicated execution. However, I do mean a very simlified version with a flat layer that starts facing camera and just folds in the same way.

[Steve Roberts]

All right …

Imagine layers 1,2,3,4 from left to right, seen face on. Move the camera (make one explicitly) for a different POV)
Each layer will pivot around its anchor point.
The anchor point for layer 1 should be at its right edge. Use the Pan Behind tool.
For layer 2: at its right edge.
Layer 3: its left edge.
Layer 4: its left edge.
Parent layer 4 to layer 3, layer 1 to layer 2.

Rotate layer 2 and 3 on their Y-axes, then rotate layer 1 and 2 to follow.

Does that make sense?

[Josh Weiss]

Steve,

Thanks so much for getting back. Unfortunately, I already did this, but used a position on layers 1 and 4 as I don’t want them to rotate, just come into the center. However, layers 2 and 3 overlap eachother as they rotate on their Y and its not the exact effect I want. I want it to be as if the center point between 2 and 3 is pulling them back and that point goes straight back and pulls 2 and 3 to rotate on their y and 2 and 3 in turn pull 1 and 4 to touch at their edges in the center.

Keying it by hand as you suggested gave a close result, but as I mentioned 2 and 3 overlap.

[Steve Roberts]

Layers 2 and 3 should not overlap if each anchor point is on the edge of each layer.

For Layers 1 and 4, if you parent them to 2 and 3, you can keep them from “rotating” if you rotate them in the opposite direction from their parents. If 3 rotates from 0 to 45 degrees, rotate 4 from 0 to -45 degrees. Don’t animate their position.

To make everything push back, parent 2 and 3 to a null and move the null back.

Are you following my instructions from the beginning? It sounds as if you’re trying to shoehorn them into something you’re already doing, and the two methods aren’t mixing well.

[Josh Weiss]

Steve,

Thanks so much. I tried it all and it worked. I think my mental block was trying to position instead of just counter the rotation. Again, I really appreciate it.

[Steve Roberts]

Hey, no problem. 🙂