[Bart Stevens]

Thanks for the feedback,
yeah that solution would work, but I want my 3-D text in After Effects to wrap in front of my rendered (2d element) foreground and in back of my rendered (2D element) background.
I thought about bringing the keyed actor into my 3-D application, but I really want to keep them separate until the final composite for better control of all the elements.
I can render the “text wrap” in my 3-D application (xsi), but I just figured there must be a way to “cut in half”(by the Z axis) the After Effects composite.
Hopefully I’m communicating the challenges accurately.
Thanks for your assistance.
-Bart

[Bart Stevens]

thanks for the feed-back Dave,
Yes, might be over-thinking (wouldn’t be the first time).

If all my objects were 3D layers, that solution would work fine.
I should have clarified the final composite.
I’m using a combination of live action footage (green screen key)
and the rendered “c.g environment” from my 3D animation package (XSI).
I’ve split my renders from my 3D animation package into foreground and background layers (defined by the “0” Z plane). The actor is in the middle of background and foreground objects ( in the center of the circle).
Although the renders are from a 3D environment, the renders are 2D layers in my composite.

I’ve exported my camera data from xsi, so I can combine After Effects 3D (text around circle mask) with my 3D animation (xsi) 3D.

Since my cameras are matched, I want to utilize AE for elements that could render a lot quicker.
So I’m trying to define my After Effects composition the same way and divide foreground and background at the “0” Z plane.

– Clipping planes are not a part of AE, but I didn’t know how else to express what I’m trying to accomplish.

Kapiche – on the Open GL ( double checked it was off)

Thanks
-Bart

[Bart Stevens]

Cassius,
Can you clarify your directions? I’ve tried following your steps, but I’m having some difficulty.
I have a very simple composition.
I have text animating on a circular mask with the center at 0,0,0.
I have no problem setting up my ” Z-plane” and making the positive Z space (or further from my camera) masked out.
I used a square comp with white solid and placed it in 3D space at 0,0,0.
It’s above the text path in the composition and set it to silhouette alpha.
The obvious challenge is making the positive (or closer to the camera) masked out.
Let me know if you have any ideas,
Thanks,
B

[Bart Stevens]

After Effects or Premiere won’t let me import the file at all. So not seeing anything.
I tried using the Black Magic Decklink 7.2.2 ( the one that worked in CS3), but Windows 7 would not let me install it. So yes I’ve upgraded to CS5, but that’s where I’m having difficulty.
Thanks

[Bart Stevens]

Thanks Dan
The “from” vs. “to” in World space did the the trick.
Your website is a great inspiration, keep up the good work.
Thanks agian
-B

[Bart Stevens]

Thanks for the response Dan. I’ll try and be more clear.
I want the layers to be orientated towards the camera but only on the y axis.
If I do all my animation with the camera, your script works perfect.
But when I have the image layers parented to a null and do my Y axis rotation animation with the null, the image layers don’t keep their orientation towards the camera.
I can make it work with animating the camera, but would like to use the null if possible.
Thanks again,
Bart