Connecting objects in 3D space?

[Steve Roberts]

You could draw a bunch of two-point masks with the pen tool and apply effect>render>stroke.

Or you could use the beam effect. This is good if you want to attach the ends of each beam to each square’s position using expressions (pickwhipping).

Steve

[Mike Clasby]

https://www.creativecow.net/show.php?forumid=2&page=/articles/bassett_doug/connections/index.html

[Filip Vandueren]

if all layers are 2d,

you can just pick-whip the start and end-points of the beam effect like in the Tutorial mentioned

if the layers you’re pointing from and to are real 3d layers,
then create a 2d layer with the beam effect and use this expression:

targetLayer=thisComp.layer("3d object 1"); // change this to the correct layername
targetLayer.toComp(targetLayer.anchorPoint);

this converts the positions in 3d-space to 2d points.
use it on both start and endpoint with the right layernames

[Mark Landsburger]

You guys are blowing my mind… 🙂

I’m going to see if I can work this out. I’ve done little with expressions unfortunately, but I think I can drudge my way through it.

It’s a really important project, so I’ll have to!

Thanks a bunch. I’ll post more questions if I have them.
LB

[Mylenium]

You could also try using real line shaped solids and a few more expressions. If you need to find out more, just follow the link in my signature.

Mylenium

[Pour Myl

[Jon Herron]

Is there a way to keep everything connected and spipn the whole thing in 3D space? Or would you just use a camera…? get it???

[Filip Vandueren]

Either you use the camera,

or

you create a 3d null, and parent everything to that, then rotate the null.
If the connecting lines you’re using are with the beam effect and the expression, then don’t parent those layers, only the 3d-ones.

The parenting way gives a more convincing spin with less keyframes.
Moving the camera is a bit more difficult, but of course, you have way more options.

[Jon Herron]

Thank you for the insight, very much appreciated!