Stroke effect in 3D space problem

[Will Cavanagh]

You might want to look into the 3D Stroke plugin from RGS/Trapcode… I believe there is a free trial, and it gives you some cool features beyond just putting strokes in 3d space.

[Eliezer Cisner]

Does it have a feature to reveal the original image as the Strole effect in AE has? I can’t seem to find it.
Thank you so much!

[Will Cavanagh]

3d Stroke allows you to bend and move a stroke in 3d space and add dimensionality to it. You can’t perform these same transforms on the layer it is applied to, thus it doesn’t allow you to reveal that layer.

Were you to want to use a stroke to reveal a layer in 3D space, I would do the stroking and reveal on the layer in 2d first, then precomp this, and make this precomp 3d. This will preserve the dimensions, and allow you to visualize what you’re doing better. It will likely also solve your initial problem.

3d Stroke is much better for cool “organic” looking 3d stem/stalk effects than it is for revealing layers. It’s also great for making a signature unwrap or move in 3d around stuff for example, just not revealing a picture with a signature.

[Eliezer Cisner]

Thank you very much for your prompt replies, I appreciate it very much!

I just have one major problem:

When pre-composing the layers and then zooming in with the camera, the layers get blurred out, and when enabling Collapse Transformations thereof, you know, it defeats the whole purpose.

Please Help. Thanks a ton!

[Will Cavanagh]

Ah! Yes, that would be a problem 🙂 An obvious method would be to make that comp big enough that it looks good at whatever res you need it to eventually be. This would of course mean adding a lot of weight to the project and wouldn’t be an optimal solution.

Maybe there’s another way to accomplish your end goal — what are you trying to do?

–Will

[Eliezer Cisner]

I’m trying to simulate the drawing of a complex Illustrator vector drawing (a logo) in AE, while tossing, turning and flipping it around with the cameras.
Thanks again!