arranging layers in 3d sphere format

[Dan Ebberts]

This is old, but it has the trig you need:

https://www.motionscript.com/mastering-expressions/random-sphere.html

Dan

[Alom Ambia]

Thanks Dan,

However, im finding it a bit confusing to change it to my requirements. I would like the layers to be arranged around a null which i can rotate and move around thus moving the whole thing. Im not after random motion

[Dan Ebberts]

Understood. I just thought the trig might be helpful.

Dan

[Alom Ambia]

Thanks,

Any ideas? Can your expression be changed to work for my scenario?

[Dan Ebberts]

I’m not sure what your scenario is exactly. What determines where the layers end up on the sphere?

Dan

[Alom Ambia]

I want to arrange 20 layers around a center (null) in a sphere shape. The layers need to be facing outward orienting to create a sphere shape. Very similar to the image posted
Thanks 🙂

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

With 20 layers, if you only need to do this once, it would be easier to use a 3D null at the center of the sphere with the footage layers originally in the same position (offset from null by radius amount on Z axis), parented to the null and rotated into place, then disconnected, and next one connected and rotated, etc. You can reset null rotation between each to make it easier to see what to rotate.

[Alom Ambia]

how would that create a sphere look? Not seeing it 🙁

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

A sphere consists of a surface at a fixed distance from a single point.

Thus, if you rotate a layer around a fixed point at a fixed distance, it rotates along the surface of a sphere.

Note: If you want them to be aligned to horizontal and vertical lines on the surface of the sphere, rotate around y and x axis only, not Z, that essentially rotates the image around it’s own center point.

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

Like so: