Particle Sprite Z-depth pop

[Eric Barker]

Definitely agree with your last point there. Still don’t think multi-layer instances is an option for my particular cases, considering I often swing around the systems, particles need to be able to overlap each other naturally in 3D space. But you’re correct, motion graphics and VFX are ALL about “HACKS”.

I thought that there would be less when I started working in a “true” 3D environment (Cinema4D), but on the contrary, there’s even MORE! In some ways, 3D graphics is all built on a completely made-up interpretation of how light works (e.g.: in the real world there is no difference between specularity, reflection, and diffusion). “Shaders” are ALL made-up concepts that emulate, but don’t simulate, real-world scenarios. Bump mapping is an amazing, silly, and ingenious example, too.

However, in this case, sprites are such a commonly used stand-in for volumetric geometry, that I’m sort of surprised someone hasn’t designed an engine to give them fake volume for cross-fade compositing, that strikes me as an incredibly useful technique. Maybe this is found on game engines like Unity, where sprites are used practically everywhere.

Audio/Video Production
Relaxing White Noise, LLC.