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After Effects 3D shape positioning??
Hi guys, really need your help on this one!
I’m relatively newish to After Effects but not a complete novice. My question is this…
I’m trying to build a large Typography “scene/ set” within After Effects, which I then want to animate the camera around. Whilst adding new elements to the scene such as text or a square/ ellipse, I’ll pan the camera over to the desired position, draw a new element in place, but then when I click the “enable 3D” button for the layer, the object disappears back to the original centre of the entire composition, which means I then have to parent the layer to the camera, reset the position, un-parent the layer to get the object back to where it was intended.
Is there a way to draw a shape layer/ text in its intended 3D position (on the active camera’s focal plane) without having to go through the repositioning drill each time?
Many thanks guys!!
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8 Replies
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I would use a Custom view to see your 3D scene, including your camera, then position your text or other assets. For a helpful camera control tool, you can check out the SureTarget plugin on Video Copilot.
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Thanks for the reply Daniel, but I have the same problem using a custom cam.
I’ve attached a screen grab of the style of infographic I’m trying to create.
It’s quite complex and I need to be able to build and add shape layers and text in position as I go along.
But every time I add a new element and convert the layer to 3D, the layer re-centers itself way back at the start of the composition.Many Thanks.
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If you press Ctrl+Home (PC) or Cmd+Home (Mac), it will center the selected layer(s) in the active view.
Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
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Whether or not that answered Ashley’s question, it was something that I didn’t know before.
Thanks!
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Walter.. that is absolutely brilliant!! Thank you SO much, that really has made my day! 🙂
One more related question… Once the selected layer is centred in the active view, is there a way to tell the layer to face the camera?
(Using “Transform – Auto-Orient” seems to make the layer permanently stick to the camera)Thanks again!!!
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I had been meaning to write a script to make this easier for quite some time.
Here it is:
Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events -
Another useful shortcut key is CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+\ – Look at Selected Layers (found in the View menu. This works well when you’ve placed a 3D layer in its place and want your camera re-positioned to view the layer, centered in the Comp Panel.
With CTRL+HOME, you move the selected layer(s) to the Comp Center, probably after you’ve moved/animated your camera. With CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+\, you move/animate the camera instead of the selected layer(s).
HTH
RoRK
Latest AE Workshop – MoGraph Intensity – Shapes & TextIntensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations
Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
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Walter… Wow! That script is absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much, you’ve been such a great help. If you’re ever in London UK give me a shout anytime, I definitely owe you a pint 😉
And thanks to Roland too, that’s another really handy little shortcut…
You guys rock! 🙂
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