[Edward Wu]

Hi Dan,

That’s not correct. 3DS files do not export or import with textures as well. Any model that you import or export will need to be textured. The program will only import or export the UV mapping coordinates.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Van,

By default, Invigorator PRO is using its own camera separate than the After Effects camera. This allows you to make camera changes in Invigorator without affecting the After Effects camera. You can enable the “Use Comp Camera” option and your Invigorator objects will using the After Effects camera instead.

Also by default, the Invigorator camera is set to a upper right view as you’ve mentioned. This is so you can see how all the objects relate to one another in 3D space. You can adjust the camera view by going into the “View” menu and selecting “Front” to see the objects from the front, or selecting one of many different options.

You’re also correct that no animation can happen within Invigorator. You create all the animation within After Effects using keyframes. If you are interested in creating the animation within the Set-Up window, ProAnimator is the application that allows you to do that.

As for Pivot points, you will want to adjust the pivot points for the Sets that you are working with. It’s best to click on the “Reset” button to reset the pivot point of the Set so that it is in the center of all the objects. If you need the pivot point in a custom location, then you would adjust the Set pivot point to another position.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Dan,

It’s correct that the models do not export with color or lighting. Since all the 3D programs work differently, you will need to apply the materials in the program that you’ve imported the models into. The models do have the UV coordinates, so you will be able to apply the materials onto the same locations in Invigorator.

Similarly, when you import an object into 3D Invigorator PRO, the models do not get imported with any colors. You will need to apply the texture maps or colors within Invigorator.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Just to update other users who may be running into the same problem. This issue was resolved after updating the video card driver.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Jim,

Just to let you know, version 5.1.0 is the latest release of version 5. So you may be running into rendering issues if you are not using the latest version of the software. Please email me at ed@zaxwerks.com and I will provide the version 5.1.0 download link for you.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi James,

Please send the project file to me at ed@zaxwerks.com and I’ll take a look at your project setup.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi James,

If you are working with Warping within 3D Invigorator PRO, then you will have to go to the Set Controls (located in the Effects Controls Window of After Effects) and adjust the Set Z Pivot control.

If you are working with 3D Warps, then you will need to go into the Transform section, and adjust the Z Center control.

Once you set up the Z Pivot correctly, when you apply the Y-Rotation, the Warp layer will rotate around the globe.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi James,

I replied to your Online Documentation post as well, but it seems like you are using 3D Invigorator PRO from that post. If so, it will be easier to just create a 3D Primitive (Sphere), then apply the map/image onto the sphere. Then, you can rotate the sphere by adjusting the Rotation values for the Set.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the information. Is it possible to send the project file to me? My email address is ed@zaxwerks.com. I’ll try rendering the project file and see if I can reproduce the crash issue you are running into.

If you need to render the project, as a workaround, you can try rendering with the 3×3 setting, then applying a blur afterwards.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Kerri,

When importing an image with a transparent background into ProAnimator, be sure you are importing the image into the “Transparency” section of the Material Editor as well. Once the image has been loaded into both the “Color” and “Transparency” sections, you should the image without the background.

Best,
Edward