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How do you avoid pixelization when zooming into a map in a 3D scene???
This is a problem I’ve never been able to resolve in After Effects. This is my method I use for illustrating invasions on maps:
[1] Start with a base layer vector map and remove the ocean color using the “Linear Key”:
[2] Duplicate this map layer twice. This first copy right above the base map will serve as a matte for all other map layers (states/countries) above it so that they can be colored in without the color spilling over into the ocean part (except for the invasion mask layer which will use a copy of the invaded country as a track matte.)
[3] The second copy of the map will be right at the top using a blend mode (Multiply, Color Burn, or Linear Burn). Like this all states and invasions below can stay in Normal blend mode, and there will be no spill over between states. Here are the layers in question:
I added a Turbulent Displace effect on the invading layer:
[4] Now I pre-compose the map into a new composition, add a null-parented camera, and check that all layers are 3D.
[5] But the problem is that the more I zoom into my map, the more pixelated it becomes, even though it’s a vector map and all the layers in the 2D comp are rasterized:
[6] I’m told the only way to avoid pixelization is to rasterize the pre-composed map layer. But if I do that, it kills the whole 3D scene as it disables the camera framing:
And if I go back into my 2D map composition and check the 3D box for all the layers, it then kills my invasion mask:
So how do I square this circle? Thank you so much in advance to anyone who can help me resolve this.
Please click on the accompanying pics with explanations below:
replied 1 month, 2 weeks ago 3 Members · 23 Replies
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23 Replies
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Try deleting or disabling the “Turbulent Displace” effect (you can add the “Wiggle Paths” animator for the gray shape instead).
Enable 3D for all layers and turn on “Collapse Transformations” for the pre-comp.
If this does not work, please send a draft of the project where we can see the problem.
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Hi Vasyl, thank you so much for your help. I tried the Wiggle Paths, and it does give some variety to the invasion layer. But I very much prefer Turbulent Displace, as it looks more organic and natural. But you’re right. That does work, thank you!
But I did find a workaround for Turbulent Displace when it comes to rasterizing a moving invasion layer mask in a 3D scene. I just discovered that I only need to pre-compose the invasion mask itself (nothing else), and I can then add a null parented camera above all the other rasterized 3D layers. So when I zoom in, the map and any accompanying text won’t lose any resolution, just the pre-composed grey colored invasion layer.
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Can you send me a draft of the project that shows the problem?
That way, I can tell you how to solve it.
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Hi Vasyl. It looks like both ways work now, thank you again for that very helpful suggestion!
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I think the problem was that you were adding the Turbulent Displace effect to a 3D layer that had Preserve Underlying Transparency turned on.
In this combination, you needed to turn off the “Turbulent Displace” effect, or one of the “3D Layer”, “preserve underlying transparency” switches.
If you could make and send me a simple example of a project (not necessarily the original), I would show you better.
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Hi Vasyl. Sorry I forgot. I’ll do that now. I guess it’s just the project file and the map that you need correct? How should I send to you? As a zip file? And to what email address? Thanks again! 😀
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Creative Cow won’t let me upload my project file. It doesn’t seem to recognize “prproj” extension. But here’s the map. How do I send you the project file?
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I think you can attach the zip file here.
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Not sure why but my option to attach AE file for upload is greyed out…
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Sorry I forgot that I had to Compress and Zip the file! My bad! 🤣. Here it is…
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