[Edward Wu]

Hi Tim,

Unfortunately, I haven’t found the cause of that just yet. I usually work in Illustrator CS4 also, but have not had any issues opening up the files in ProAnimator. However, I have had an user send a file to me in CS4, and I checked every layer and all the pieces in the Illustrator file. There were no issues (that I could find) and I could not open up the file in ProAnimator. Eventually, I did have to save as an Illustrator 8 format to get the file to work. I’m not sure if the user originally created the file from a previous version.

This issue seems to be related only to Illustrator CS4, so I’ll take a look into it to see if I can determine the cause. Thanks for the information.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Tim,

If you have made sure that all your layers are vector paths with no pixel elements, try saving your Illustrator file as a Illustrator 8 format. This should allow you to open the file in ProAnimator.

To save as version 8, use the “Save As” command, and type in the file name. Then, in the Illustrator Options window, you will be able to choose the Illustrator version you wish to save as.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Brent,

You can try separating the elements into different layers and then re-saving the file. Or, if the objects are grouped, try ungrouping the objects.

If the logo was made using the “Live Trace” command in Illustrator, you will need to ungroup the objects, and delete the outer box of the picture that the trace made.

If you are still having any issues, you can send the Illustrator file to me at ed@zaxwerks.com and I’ll take a look into what you are running into.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi David,

You can achieve this type of effect with 3D Invigorator, ProAnimator, or 3D Serpentine.

With 3D Invigorator and ProAnimator, you can first create the pipe shape you need in Illustrator, and then extrude it inside of 3D Invigorator or ProAnimator. You can give the shape a circular bevel so that it simulates the look of a pipe. Then, you can use the After Effects camera to fly through the pipe.

If you are interested in working with 3D paths in After Effects, 3D Serpentine is the perfect fit for this project. First, draw the pipe path within After Effects. Then, using 3D Serpentine, you can extrude the path using a circular body. This will simulate the look of a pipe. You can then parent your After Effects camera to the 3D path, and it will travel through the pipe.

You can find out more information about the products below:

https://zaxwerks.com/proanimator/index.shtml

https://zaxwerks.com/invigorator_pro/index.shtml

https://zaxwerks.com/3dserpentine/index.shtml

If you have questions, let me know.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Jason,

You may be seeing this if you are using a font that has the display font installed, but not the printer font. If this is the case, you will see it in the font list, but have the error message when you try to use the font. Also, ProAnimator supports True Type and Postscript fonts, so those are the fonts that you will see in the font list.

If there are fonts that you need to use, you can enter them through Photoshop or Illustrator. In Photoshop, type your text and go to “Layer > Type > Create Workpaths”. Then, use the “File > Export > Paths to Illustrator” command to turn the text into an Illustrator file. You can then use the “Open Illustrator File” command in ProAnimator to load the font into the program. If you are using Illustrator, type the text from Illustrator, and use the “Type > Create Outlines” command. Then, use the “Open Illustrator File” command in ProAnimator to open the Illustrator file.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Actually, to clarify, when applying a Layer Map, you do not need to drag it onto the track first. Drag the texture map directly from your File Library to the Layer Map 1 image well.

Sorry for the confusion.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Joel,

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it!

What I think you may be running into is that the materials are being lost in the rendering process. This may be because it is getting processed through the multiple cores on your computer.

What you may try doing is importing your texture maps into Final Cut Pro, and applying them as Layer Maps for your materials. To do this, import your texture maps using the File > Import command, then place the image files onto the Final Cut Pro track. Then, go to the Filters tab to access the ProAnimator controls, and drag the texture map image from the track into the image well for “Layer Map 1”. You can then go into the ProAnimator interface, and apply the Layer Map onto your material.

Try to do this for the materials that are getting lost and see if you are still running into any issues.

Let me know if this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Christina,

Thanks for submitting the project files. We’re investigating the issue, and we’ll let you know any information as soon as we receive them.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Paul,

Glad to hear everything has worked out. Thanks for the update.

If you get a crash log from Glintwerks, please submit it to ed@zaxwerks.com and we’ll take a look into what is causing the issue.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Matthew,

Our plug-ins are supported with Snow Leopard, so you shouldn’t run into any issues with 3D Flag and ProAnimator running on Snow Leopard.

Best,
Edward