Auto-orient in only 1 axis

[Graham Quince]

Hi guys

Does anyone know if there’s a way to auto-orient a layer’s y-axis to permanently point to a camera? I need the X and Z axis to remain static, but have the layer keeps it’s face pointing towards the camera.

Graham

[yoondo]

I don’t think you can auto-orient individual axis. It’s basically locked in all axis.

[Mylenium]

You need to re-create the auto orient behavior using a simple expression. Add this to the orientation parameter:

my_orient=lookAt(position,thisComp.layer(“Camera”).position)
X=orientation[0];
Y=my_orient[1];
Z=orientation[2];

[X,Y,Z]

You may need to add an angular value to compensate for flipping.

Mylenium

[Pour Myl

[Graham Quince]

Many thanks, that’s worked just as i needed it to

Graham

http://www.qcit.com

[Graham Quince]

Thanks Mylenium,

The only change i had to make is to add a negative setting to the orientation.

my_orient=-lookAt(position,thisComp.layer(“Camera 1”).position)
X=orientation[0];
Y=my_orient[1];
Z=orientation[2];

[X,Y,Z]

Graham

http://www.qcit.com

[anthony s mcgrath]

I created a plane and have used this expression to point it at the camera. It only seems to work halfway around then the plane flips.

How would I go about spinning around it fully and avoiding that flip? the nearest example I can think of is the way sprite particles act in Maya.

Do I have to point the plane upward somehow with some kind of upvector? ..I’m really pants at this expression stuff!