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Importing a mask from a different computer
Hi Guys,
I have after effects CS6 (with element 3d) on my macbook pro. I don’t want to use the software on my PC because it is very old and slow. I have Photoshop & AI on my pc that i don’t really want it on my mac too.
I need to be able to import masks from PS or AI into after effects to use in element 3d. How can i do this ?
Basically i want to trace a 3D logo outline to make it 3d in element 3d.
I tried the auto trace in after effects but the quality is not great, id much rather import a hq mark layer if possible ?
Any help or advice much appreciated as usual
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4 Replies
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hey Steve,
I don’t use Element 3D much but you should be able to import/export luma mattes in and out of PS/AI/AE and most software. Just make the object to be traced black and the BG white, then use that as your ‘trace’ in After Effects.Mike Sevigny
TorusFX Inc.
https://vimeo.com/channels/mikesevigny/
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mike-sevigny/49/875/495 -
I don’t get too good a quality when i trace in after effects. It’s ok but not as sharp as it would be if i copied the outline in ai and pasted into a layer in ae.
Any other solutions for this please ?
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then you’ll want to retain the paths in a PSD and import with editable layers in AE, but as Dave said this will depend on your version.
Although, if you mess with the Auto-Trace settings you should be able to get some pretty good results on a black and white (no grey) image.
Mike Sevigny
TorusFX Inc.
https://vimeo.com/channels/mikesevigny/
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mike-sevigny/49/875/495 -
[Steve George] “I have after effects CS6 (with element 3d) on my macbook pro. I don’t want to use the software on my PC because it is very old and slow. I have Photoshop & AI on my pc that i don’t really want it on my mac too. “
I would suggest you reconsider this. Photoshop and Illustrator are valuable companion applications for After Effects.
[Steve George] “I need to be able to import masks from PS or AI into after effects to use in element 3d.”
With both Ae and Il on the same computer, you can simply copy and paste a path from Il as a mask.
Without Il, but with Ae CS6 or CC, you can import an .AI file into Ae, then drag it into your comp. Right-click on the name of the layer in the timeline panel, then choose Create Shapes from Vector Layer [link]. You can copy and paste a path from a shape layer into the path of a mask if you need to.
Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
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