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Give 2d images a 3d perspective
I am working on an intro for a television program. The intro begins with an image that was scaled down and painted in photoshop. I then need to have the image zoom in and turn as if a camera was turning in front of the image (a cabin in the woods). I tried using the camera in after effects but every time I turn the y axis during the zoom, the bottom left corner of the house appears to drop due to the 3d space. Is there an option on the camera or in the timeline that I am missing to make this appear as a smooth turn (no drop). Is rotating the z axis my only option? Thanks!
btw, i am working on after effects 7.0 at work, but if there is an option in CS4, please let me know, because i have that version at home.
On a deadline, too. Please let me know as soon as you can. Much appreciated!
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1 Reply
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This is a common problem in traditionl 3D animation with a camera known as “rotation order”. You need to animate your rotation values separately.
A quick fix is to animate the Camera’s point of interest, to keep it looking at the target.
The long fix:
Create a Null called “Null Cam Pos” and attach the camera to that.
Then create another Null called “Null Cam Rot” and attach the first null to that.(Ensure the Cam and both Nulls are at 0,0,0 first (x,y,z)
Don’t touch the camera again, just use the nulls to animate.
Now you can set key frames and manupulate them separately. For subtle control, you could add another Null to correct the tilt of the camera, or perhaps use the Camera target.
Elegant camera work is not an easy 1 click process and there are many ways to get a shot to work well. Once you build a good camera Rig in AE and save it, you can easily bring it into a new project for specific tasks. Like an orbiting camera, or a Camera tracking on a curved path, or a crane. Just like the pros.
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