Best way to create a 3D carousel… w/o 3D plugins unfortunately.

[Mike Clasby]

For the hub, create a Null layer (Layer>New>Null Object). Make it 3D.

Parent all your 3D layer to the null, then rotate the Y axis of the null, the carousel will turn Merrily around.

If you have a newer version of AE you probably have cylinder creator lite, under the window menu. I used that to initially distribute the 3D layers that made up the outside of the carousel.

[Matt Sonberg]

Thanks for the suggestions! I’m laying out all of the images now and things are going just fine. I’ll give the cylinder creator a go to see if I can create something to “fill” the space in the middle to act as a hub. I’m just not real confident it’s going to look clean. We’ll see though.

[Mike Clasby]

Try this for a carousel if you don’t have Cylinder Creator Lite:

I’m assuming you have the layers you want for the outside of the carousel in a comp and they’re 3D.
Create null, make it 3D. Name it Hub.
Select all the 3d layers, except null. Change the x position value until the layers are out as far as you want from the hub (null).
First outside layer – Parent the first layer to the hub (in the parent column, pickwhip that layer to the Hub).
If you have 8 layers on the outside, 360/8 = 45 degrees.
Second outside layer – Rotate the hub, on the y axis, 45 degrees and then parent the second layer to the hub.
Third outside layer – Rotate the hub, on the y axis, 90 degrees and then parent the third layer to the hub.
Etc.

You can also rotate the outside layers on their own axis, which is kinda cool.

[Mike Clasby]

You can create a graphic of your hub in, say Photoshop, then import into AE, make it 3D, then rotate it 90 degrees on it’s x axis, and lower it’s y position until it’s a floor (or whereever you want it). You can even do the same with a new solid layer and the circle effect if you want a solid round floor.

The grid effect inthe stencil alpha mode will give you a lattice floor. Venetian Blinds will give you a plank floor.

[Matt Sonberg]

Alrighty! I’ve got all my pics in place (5 degree intervals). Not sure if it’s going to work out the way I want, but I’ll adjust that later. I’m worried that I won’t have a clear view of each ind. shot because they’re not spread out enough, but like I said I’ll adjust that later…

I understand what you’re saying about creating the images for the hub in PS, but the only thing I’m not sure about yet is creating the actual sides of the hub. I’m just about to try to do that with Cylinder Lite. But I’m not real comfortable with that plug in, so I don’t know how that’s going to go. I’ll check in shortly. But so far I’m moving along ok. Thanks again for hangin with me.

[Matt Sonberg]

I’ve been playin with the settings in CCL tryin to get a solid or solids to fit together to form a circular 3D hub. What dimensions do I need to use if I’m using a solid to create the 3D hub? I just can’t get my head around it. I’m also reading the 3d lite manual… no help so far.

[Mike Clasby]

If you’re having trouble visualizing things, you might change to two views,
Windows>Workspace>Two Comp Views,
And change one of the views to “Custom View One” (A dropdown in the comp window that normally says “Active Camera”).Now you get two views of the same scene from a different perspective.

I don’t know what type of hub you’re trying to create, but if it’s from a simple solid,
the solid needs to be as large as the hub spans. A solid layer, 3D, rotated 90 degrees on X axis will give you a plane where I assume you’d want a Hub (and changing the X position parameter will raise or lower the hub, from floor to ceiling). The Circle Effect (Render>Circle) will turn a solid layer into a circular layer, radius and color adjustable.

In the custom View you should be able to adjust the size and placement of the circular layer on the fly (while you look).
If the layer is too small the side will flatten out, then just increase the size of the layer (Layer>Solid Settings) and make it as big as you need (or the effect “Image Control>Grow Bounds” will work too). Once the solid/hub is as you like it, then you’d know how big to make a Photoshop generated hub (Alt + Dragging a file onto a selected layer in the timeline will replace the old layer with the one being drug (to replace the existing solid with a new Photoshop hub).

I hope I’m picturing what you want, and some of this makes sense, as I’m off to see Batman. Will check back later.

[Jonathan Miller]

In a pinch, you may be able to get by with just a tall, skinny solid layer (or graphic) oriented towards the camera. As long as there weren’t going to be any super-fancy camera moves, having the “pole” or “hub” oriented towards the camera will make it appear to be 3D with depth, and not just a flat layer.

Good luck!

Jon
TreeLine Productions
Fort Collins, CO USA