AE CS6 – Camera projection: avoid and overallped layer

[Duca Simone luchini]

Okay Ted, thanks,
but for your experince is better make Displacement map in CreazyBump and than save it in .tiff to utilize it in FreeForm or make Dispacement map in Photoshop?

[Tudor “ted” jelescu]

I would say that it depends- CrazyBump may not be able to pick up on the actual displacement on certain images, like the one you have and then drawing them in psd is the way to go. I would test both and check the result.

Tudor “Ted” Jelescu
Senior VFX Artist

[Duca Simone luchini]

Hi, Ted, I wrote you also in this post:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/2/1029873#1030476

My problem, shortly, is to understand what do you mean when you say ” …and then drawing them in psd is the way to go”.
Help… please!

[Tudor “ted” jelescu]

For the image you posted there is unfortunately no simple way – here’s what I would try using Adobe Illustrator to start with due to easier manipulation of shapes and gradients:
Draw boxes (3 sides- front, side and top- distorted to match perspective) for each building on separate layers to have easy access.
Fill in each side with a grayscale gradient.
Adjust the values of the gradients to have lighter at the top and darker at the bottom. The trick is to have the values go darker as the buildings recede.
Then you need a second set of gradients layered on top of the first with gradients following the angle of the perspective and a Overlay transfer mode to blend them with the first set of gradients.
Lastly you need to create a bottom layer with a gradient for the “floor” that starts with the lightest of the grayscale values from the bottom of the gradients for the buildings and ends with a significantly darker one.
Open in PSD then as a 32 bit file and save as tiff or png.
Work in AE @ 32bit.
Hope I managed to make sense – it’s clear in my head but written down it may be a bit confusing.

Tudor “Ted” Jelescu
Senior VFX Artist

[Duca Simone luchini]

Hi Ted,
Thanks, but I think we need a… tutorial.
Anyway I’m going to try to make it in a 3d software… I’ll say you if and how does it works.
many thanks!

[Adam Meeks]

I was having the same problem is AEcc~ But it was simple to fix: Make sure that your solid/grids Material Options are set to Accept Shadows, but Accept Lights needs to be off.

[Duca Simone luchini]

Hi Adam,
Are you sure…?
I exactly didn’t remember now but It’s not possible have projection without light! So Accept light must be on!
If grid can’t accept light it means It can accept the image projection (projected by light…).

[Mike Sevigny]

hey Simon,
I realize this is a year later but I’ve made a tutorial on how to achieve true projection mapping onto 3D extruded shapes in After Effects CS6.

Tutorial:
https://vimeo.com/87376234

Some examples:
https://vimeo.com/82407663
https://vimeo.com/86289027

Good luck!
Mike Sevigny

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[Duca Simone luchini]

Wow, finally a great solutions!
Very well!
But I make this work now in C4D by Camera Calibrator and Projection Man. You have total control on camera projection and you can export all in AE to composite. Really easer.

[Mike Sevigny]

I will have to check that out. The C4D workflow is looking more and more attractive.. I used to work in Max when I was inhouse but those are pricy apps. I’m getting the C4D demo right now.

Thanks for replying,
Mike Sevigny