-
Mimicking a GPS map
Hey all – sorry for the simple question, but here goes:
I am trying to emulate a GPS display (like a Garmin or TomTom) in a little animation. I have a tiff file of a map, and I have been able to draw a path and have an icon (in this case a red arrow) follow that path along a road.
I even figured out how to have the arrow auto-orient so that it was pointing the right direction the whole time.
The problem is, what I really want is for the arrow to stay put (pointed straight up) and for the map to move underneath.
For some reason, I can’t seem to make this work. I’ve tried inverting the path, then pasting it into the map layer as position keyframes. The result of that, though, is just erratic, twitchy rotation.
It also occurred to me that maybe I should nest this comp in another comp and then stabilize it, using the arrow as my tracking point, but that didn’t seem to work either. (Although I’m not experienced at all with AE’s stabilization tools.)
Any bright ideas out there? I feel like there must be a really obvious step I’m missing here, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what it is.
(Okay, last idea – is there some way to capture the data from the “auto-orient” behavior of the arrow as it moves along a path. And then send that data to the rotation property of a null object that is a parent to every layer? Am I crazy?)
—
Jason Mann
Compass Light, Inc. -
3 Replies
-
I’d do it this way:
Create the map as a huge illustration, maybe 8k x 8k. Bring it is as a 3d layer. Create your arrow and set it to be the parent of the Point Of Interest for the camera. Animate the arrow’s position, the camera will follow as it flies above the map layer. You can use a placeholder or nested comp for the arrow so the arrow changes direction at your command. Another way to do this is with an Expression controller layer.I have no patience with GPS systems. hope you bet better advice soon. Give the other folks a couple of days.
bogiesan
This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”
-
Thanks for the prompt response. I’ll try that technique and let you know how it goes.
And if anyone else has a bright idea, please chime in!
—
Jason Mann
Compass Light, Inc. -
David’s suggestion is good. I would do very similar, but instead of animating the POI for the camera, which could lead to camera angle issues, just aim the camera down at the 8k map and set it a fair Z-distance above the map. I would do a simple expression pickwhip of the camera’s X & Y positions to the arrow’s X & Y position. This way, if you move the arrow, the active camera always stays on top of the arrow.
Or, align the camera over the arrow layer. Parent the arrow layer and the camera to a null layer and animate the x/y of the null.
CS3 – Mac
C4D
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up