Particular in Match move

[Michael Powers]

Could you use an expression to link the transform of the 3d object to the particular emmitter object, like:

Particular>Emitter>PositionXY:
temp = thisComp.layer(“3d layer”).transform.position;
[temp[0], temp[1]]

Particular>Emitter>PositionZ:
thisComp.layer(“3d layer”).transform.position[2]

Michael Powers
Art Director, Animation
Cramer
Crameronline.com

[Jeff Mcbride]

I think that’s on the right track. The only problem I can tell right now is that the position of the solid is different than the position of the emitter. So for my test example here are the parameters:

21.7, -1.3, 5.2 Position for Layer
324, 240, 0 Default Position for Particular

So in addition to this script I would need it to balance the difference, any idea how to do that?

Another theory I have (which I can’t really test yet) is that if I can get the emitter to equal the position, then I can adjust the anchor point to the emitter position and set up the layer to auto orient to the camera. But, how will this affect Particular’s interaction with the camera?

Thanks for the help!

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer/Editor
LimeGreen
Chicago, IL

http://www.limegreenproductions.com

[Jeff Mcbride]

I just tested the second part without the match move and the auto orient to Camera completely works with particular. Having the anchor locked to the emitter seems to yield a better result too. So now I think I just need to figure out the other part.

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer/Editor
LimeGreen
Chicago, IL

http://www.limegreenproductions.com

[Michael Powers]

I also think you could make a light, slave it in front of your camera, then make a particlular layer that uses “Light” for emmitter type.

I’m not sure using the Particular layer in 3d will preserve the physics of the particle system

Michael Powers
Art Director, Animation
Cramer
Crameronline.com

[Darby Edelen]

A 2D layer with Particular applied is automatically aware of the Comp’s camera. You should definitely not consider making the layer that Particular is applied to into any kind of 3D layer.

All you should have to do is create a 2D layer, add Particular and then place the emitter where you want it. If you want to have the emitter emit from the location of one of the Nulls you can use this expression to find the position of a 3D Null object:

l = thisComp.layer(“3D Null”);
l.toWorld(l.anchorPoint);

You can access the first and second elements of the array for your X and Y coords:

l = thisComp.layer(“3D Null”);
p = l.toWorld(l.anchorPoint);
[p[0], p[1]];

And the 3rd for the Z coord:

l = thisComp.layer(“3D Null”);
p = l.toWorld(l.anchorPoint);
p[2];

Darby Edelen
DVD Menu Artist
Left Coast Digital
Aptos, CA

[Jeff Mcbride]

Well the reason I want Particular in 3D space is that it will have less interference with other layers. We’re building a full 3D comp (with elements from C4D) so, if we use particular as a 2D layer then we have to restack all the layer orders to get the right look per scene. It’s just a problem that I foresee having and want to see if there is a way to get it.

The problem I”m having now is that Particular and the layer itself are effected by the camera, so I get a double motion track basically. Anyway anyone can think of to correct that? It’s almost perfect haha.

[Darby Edelen]

[LGABoarder] “Anyway anyone can think of to correct that?”

Pre-comping the Particular layer is the only way I know of to prevent it from reacting to the camera in the final comp. This is not ideal, however. The individual particles will no longer react to your comp’s camera, which could be obvious depending on the particle system.

I suggest that you stick to using a 2D layer for Particular. I agree that it’s unfortunate that you are generally only able to use one layer as an obscuration layer but it’s better than nothing, and you will get better results from Particular on a 2D layer.

Darby Edelen
DVD Menu Artist
Left Coast Digital
Aptos, CA