Giving 3D text reflection and metal look…

[Thorsten Miess]

the only way i can think of are the material options.
Just twirl down the arrow from the layer that usually reveals the Transformation options. But beneath that there should be the Material Options

Play around with the settings for Specular Highlight and the other as well.

(The Material Options is only available for 3D Layers;
I think that you may need a light)

[Steve Roberts]

You have to fake it or buy Zaxwerks Invigorator. For faking it, search the COW for “metal” or “chrome”.

[Adam Lewen]

Thanks for the replays, I have been trying with Zaxwerks, I guess I am trying to achieve something too specific to describe. I will keep on trying through Zax. I think what I am looking for will need to combine a matte that will ‘reflect’ on the moving text…

[Steve Roberts]

Hmm … yes, you might have to do that, because Invig doesn’t do raytraced reflections, if I recall. And that’s what you want. 3D apps do that naturally, though.

Did you search the COW for “raytrace”, raytraced” or “raytracing”? There may be other ways of faking it.

[Adam Lewen]

I will do that.
Had no idea that this is the term. Thanks.

[Adam Lewen]

Great help! I was looking for a couple of days now under ‘reflection’ ‘3d metal reflective’ etc…
this is a good start
https://library.creativecow.net/articles/okerstrom_jon/reflections.php

[Serge Hamad]

Humm… You are confusing me a little. The tutorial you are referring to helps a great deal to create a fake reflection like on a plane but not on your text.

If you are after a chrome look etc…check out the following thread:
https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/41/858761

In case you are new to Invigorator and need more details just let us know and we will be glad to help with a step by step instruction.

Salut,
Serge

Invigorator/Proanimator Training: https://library.creativecow.net/articles/hamad_serge/invig_training.php

[Adam Lewen]

Yo were right to be confused. I replayed way too fast, and I am looking for reflectiveness on the letters… So your post from 2 days ago helps, I just did not understand one out of the two main things you said;

-To have more control on what is reflected on an object best is to use a comp as a layer map, add your environment to this comp and scale it way down until you see a clear reproduction of your map on your 3D object.

I will try to play around with it, but I am not sure what exactly you mean by that.

But Thanks a lot for catching my thread!!

[Serge Hamad]

Hi Adam,

I was talking about Layer Mapping.

Try this:

-Create a new comp 800 X 800.

-Create a black solid and apply 2 sessions of the lens flare effect.

-Move the center of your lens flares so the rays cover the entire comp.

-Apply now the Colorama effect and set the Output cycle to Solarize Grey to get rid of the color.

-Now nest this comp in your main comp, switch off its visibility icon and assign it as a layer map using the Invigorator layer map menu.

-Open the set-up window, select your text give it a black color in the material editor and assign your layer map as a reflection material. Set the reflectivity value to 100% and drop your material on your text.

Now your text should look like chrome. I would advise you to use different maps for the faces and edges. The one for the edges should be wider. Scaling down the Lens flare layer playing with brightness, Colorama etc… would also give you more control.

Here is an aep for you that only took 10 min to create so I am sure you could do better:

https://www.nyc-visual.com/Chrome.zip

Looks like this:
https://www.nyc-visual.com/Chrome.mov

Salut,
Serge

Invigorator/Proanimator Training: https://library.creativecow.net/articles/hamad_serge/invig_training.php

[Adam Lewen]

Serge, this is like a mini tutorial!
I think you should put it up on the site.
It is also great help. thank you very much.
If I will have any further questions I’ll ask.
But this is exactly what I was looking for.
Adam.