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My masks created from text aren’t working well in 3D
Hello!
I’m having a trouble with creating a masks from text layer in 3D space.
I’m trying to create a handwriting effect and I’m doing it by converting text layer to mask, then stroking it and keyframing stroke end from 0 to 100%. When I’m doing it in 2D space, everything works perfect!
But now I’m trying to create a movement on the paper. I want an effect of a huge paper with text writing on it and camera following it. I have made my text layers and created a path to camera (null object which camera is parented to) and it still works fine, it follows the path as I want and text is appearing.
The problem appears when I convert this existing text layers to masks. Suddenly the layers are half-visible, or not visible at all.
Here’s the screenshot of what I’m talking about:
https://postimg.com/150000/untitled-149104.jpg
I’ve created the mask from brown text and it came out like white text, cutted off. All layers (including background) are 3D.
Anyway, logically I though the problem is in After Effects not being able to create mask from parts of the layer that aren’t visible, but I tried to move through the timeline an creating outlines when the whole layer is visible and it didn’t work either.
Is there a elegant solution for this? Can I create normal 3D text layers and convert them to masks that will remain in the same position and rotation during the whole composition?
Thanks in advance!
Marko
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12 Replies
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I think you just need to move the text forward in z space a little because it’s likely occupying the same z space as the paper, AE doesn’t like that.
“|_ (°_0) _|”
Sincerely,
George
http://www.vimeo.com/georgegoodman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgefranklingoodman -
Thanks for your answer, but I’m afraid that’s not the solution.
I’ve tried moving it a bit forward, but it’s still the same. And you can se on the image below that AE recognizes just a part of the layer. It’s marked with red line.
https://postimg.com/150000/untitled-149123.jpg
Another thing is that pivot is not centered or fixed as in the text layer. It’s somewhere above the text.
Any other solution? :/
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How about precomposing your write on effect, keeping that 2d, then using the precomp in the 3d comp? I’m having a little trouble understanding what all has been done.
“|_ (°_0) _|”
Sincerely,
George
http://www.vimeo.com/georgegoodman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgefranklingoodman -
Sorry for the delay with my answer.
Anyway. None of this is working. I just realize that it’s not working even for 2D layers, I was mistaken about that.
Once the layer is not fully inside of the screen, it’s automatically sliced and created mask is only the part that was visible. If layer is fully out of the screen, nothing is visible as mask.
If it helps, this is what I’m trying to accomplish:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEgRzLXqWUI
But every time I get only the first layers which were visible when creating a mask. Not even when I move through the composition and create masks gradually isn’t working.
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I’m actually unable to watch that video here in the U-S-of-A. If you can upload a project file, I’ll take a look at it tonight for you.
“|_ (°_0) _|”
Sincerely,
George
http://www.vimeo.com/georgegoodman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgefranklingoodman -
I actually don’t have the project file because I’m trying to do it another way (with keyframing 2D layers manually to get an effect of moving on the paper). But here’s an example I’ve made so you can see what I’m talking about.
https://www.mediafire.com/?16t2nkponw21758
You’ll see two comps. One with only text layers and other with those text layers already converted to masks. I’ve added a camera and null object too, and you’ll see that in first comp all layers are visible and on second one only the layers which were visible before moving camera are still there. You’ll notice that one layer is half sliced.
I hope you’ll be able to understand what’s the problem.
Thanks again for your time.
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Okay, I took a look at it and figured out the problem.
You were creating your masks from 3d text layers after you created the camera. So the masks were reading the 3d position and being created off screen which means there was no solid behind them. To avoid this, create all your masks before adding a camera and make sure you can see them all on screen. Then make them 3d and add your camera/null. Now animate it however you want.
“|_ (°_0) _|”
Sincerely,
George
http://www.vimeo.com/georgegoodman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgefranklingoodman -
Thanks. I think this will work.
But then I won’t know exactly where my layers are because there won’t be a camera to move forward. Or can I move through composition without camera?
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Just create all of your layers in 2d first. Then once you have them, convert them to 3d. Then you can add a camera and place them where you want.
Also, something to think about, shape layers are typically much more flexible than masks and don’t have those kind of oddities. I understand you’re looking to do a stroke effect, so the masks are good for that, but you may consider using the vegas effect instead of the stroke if you decide to convert your text to shape layers instead.
“|_ (°_0) _|”
Sincerely,
George
http://www.vimeo.com/georgegoodman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgefranklingoodman -
I’ve never worked with vegas effect, so I don’t know how to use it.
What I’m trying to accomplish is handwriting effect. I’m generating a stroke on mask and keyframing end from 0% to 100% so it turns out like its writing on.
It’s basically the same thing as creating a path manually to cover the text layer and then revealing it. Not so good looking, but much faster.
Can I do the same thing with vegas? How?
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