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Expression for position in many layers
I have 100 layers of logos that I am animating flying through 3d space. They will come together to form a word on screen. I will build the final word position first and then would like to use an expression to vary each layers x, y and z space apart from each other so I can animate the camera to fly through. The x and y position would vary slightly and the z space would vary greatly.
The end product will be a camera flying through many objects, the camera suddenly stops and pulls out very fast to see the objects come together and form the word.
I am greatful for any help.
Thanks,
Graham
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8 Replies
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To get it to line up right, it seems like the layers that are farther away from the camera are going to have to be larger, is that what you had in mind?
Dan
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This might do it for you:
Paul Tuersley
Date: Aug 6, 2004 at 17:28 gmt
Subject: Re: Distributing alot of layers randomly in 3D space. -
Opps, I was busy tracking this down and didn’t see Dan was on the job.
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Hi Dan:
The logos are going to come in like a starfield. I plan on spreading the logos out in Z space and then running the camera through that Z space to make appear to be flying by.
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I understand that part, but the other part:
“… the camera suddenly stops and pulls out very fast to see the objects come together and form the word.”
That implies that there is some position in 3D space where you could put the camera and all the z-separated layers would appear to line up and form the word. If that’s the case, it would seem like the ones farther away from that spot would have to be larger.
In any case, I would think the easiest thing to do would be to put the camera in its final position and arrange the layers in the positions that make the final shot work. Then create your camera fly-through and have it end up at the predefined spot. Or am I missing something?
Dan
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Thanks Dan, you are right on the mark. I have build the end shot first.
I have figured a few things out via the responses and maybe could ask a more direct question.
Is there a way that I can change the Z space in my 100 layers incrementally via an expression instead of keying in the data? Another words have layer 1 at 100, 2 at 200, 3 at 300 etc. On various pre-comps I need to alter the Z space by various incremental amounts. I am guessing that I can’t as I would have to input the expressions on each layer anyway?
Thanks again.
G
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Thanks Paul, this was most informative.
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You can probably create an auto z-positioning that depends on the layer index and/or the comp name. Simple example of a position expression:
value + [0,0,index*100]
which would move Layer 1 back 100 in the z direction (leaving x and y untouched), Layer 2 back 200, etc.
Dan
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