[Edward Wu]

Hi Terry,

It’s possible that you are trying to use the Open Type Fonts on your computer. 3D Invigorator Pro supports Post Script and True Type fonts, so if you are trying to use the Open Type Fonts, you may see that error message. In addition, if you have the display fonts installed, but not the print fonts, you may also see that error message when using the font.

If you have True Type, or Postscript fonts, you can try using those fonts and they should work out without any issues for you.

To get the Open Type fonts to work in 3D Invigorator, you can first try bringing the text into Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.

In Photoshop, create your text and go to “Layer > Type > Create Work Path” and then use the “File > Export Paths to Illustrator” command to turn the Photoshop file into an Illustrator document. You can then bring the Illustrator file into 3D Invigorator by using the “Open Illustrator File” command.

In Illustrator, create your text and go to “Type > Create Outlines”. You can then save your Illustrator file without compression, then using the “Open Illustrator File” command in 3D Invigorator to open up the Illustrator file.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Christina,

I am using ProAnimator version 4.5.1, and it seems like the merge scene command is working fine in that version. If you have example scenes where this is happening in version 4.5.1, you can send them to ed@zaxwerks.com and I can take a look into what is causing the issue for you.

If you are not using ProAnimator version 4.5.1, please download it from our download page below:

https://www.zaxwerks.com/download/

One of the things you may want to try out is to turn the 3D Display style to wireframe, and the Preview Object Faceting setting to a higher value like “3.0”. When merging scenes, there may be a lot of objects getting merged, so this may slow down your scene. By changing the 3D Display Style and the Preview Object Faceting, this can speed things up when the scene is merged.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Paul,

From your descriptions, it sounds like you are having an issue where ProAnimator is conflicting with the undocked panels within After Effects.

When you have undocked panels within After Effects, it will cause flickering effects and not have the interface load up properly in After Effects. To fix this, go to the “Workspace” menu, and select the “Effects” workspace. Then, with the “Effects” workspace selected, select the “Reset Effects” command, and you will see a dialog box asking if you would like to discard changes made to the workspace. Click on the “OK” button to discard the changes.

Now, using the Effects workspace, you should have no issues running ProAnimator within After Effects. To make things more convenient, you can save your own favorite workspace, and toggle between workspaces when you need to use ProAnimator.

In regards to ProAnimator asking you to locate an image file, it means you have saved a material in the material bin that is using a texture map, but the texture map has been moved or deleted on your computer. Now, the program is trying to re-locate the texture map. If you look in your material bin, you should be able to see a material swatch that has a question mark in the bottom right corner of the swatch. You can then load the swatch into the Material Editor by double clicking on the swatch, and re-linking the texture map. After re-linking the texture map, you should no longer see the dialog box when running ProAnimator. If you feel that you don’t need the material swatch, you can just click on the swatch, and delete the swatch, and you will not see the dialog box as well.

If Glintwerks is crashing, please see if you can retrieve a crash log and send it to me at ed@zaxwerks.com

We can take a look at the crash log to determine what is causing the crashes for you.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Jen,

Make sure that you are installing ProAnimator version 4.5.1 for After Effects CS3. If you are using an older version of ProAnimator such as version 4.0.0, it is not compatible with After Effects CS3. You can still use your ProAnimator 4.0.0 authorization code for ProAnimator version 4.5.1.

To download the newest version, please visit our download page below:

https://www.zaxwerks.com/download/

In terms of your authorization code, if you are copying and pasting the authorization code, make sure that you are not copying extra spaces in the back. If there are extra spaces in the authorization code field, it will say that your authorization code is invalid.

If you are still having any issues with your authorization code, feel free to contact us at (626) 309-9102, and we will be able to look up your authorization code for you.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Marshall,

If you are new to the plug-ins, you can try to follow along with the free video tutorials first. It will give you the foundation on how to use the programs. If you are looking into the training DVDs, you can start with “Making It Look Great 1” (I am assuming you are using ProAnimator). Making It Look Great 1 will show you the techniques to creating your 3D Text, and creating animated backgrounds with ProAnimator and After Effects.

For more information on the Making It Look Great series, you can check out the link below:

https://zaxwerks.com/dvdtraining/index.shtml‘> https://zaxwerks.com/dvdtraining/index.shtml

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Tim,

You’re welcome.

As to part two, you may have to go with an imported object from another 3D program. While it’s possible to create a bowl shape in ProAnimator, it may be tricky to get a square opening.

To create a bowl shape, you can use our lathe techniques with custom edges shown in the link below:

https://zaxwerks.com/goodies/custom_edges.shtml

However, to combine the bowl shape with the square opening, you may have to play with combining multiple shapes in ProAnimator, and piecing the whole shape together. Or if it’s possible, create the shape from another 3D program such as Maya or Lightwave, and re-import the object back into ProAnimator.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Bob,

When 3D Invigorator sets up the lighting, it takes the shape of the object to cast the reflection. So, even though we are using techniques to mask the shape of the plane, the projected shadow will still be the plane.

One alternative you may look into is that if you keep the green screen set separate from your 3D scene, you can cast shadows in your 3D scene, while not casting shadows in the green screen set. This way, things look realistic in your scene, and you will not get the shadow of the plane.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Tim,

If you want rounded sides for your pyramid, you may consider creating a custom pyramid from four triangular “slabs”, then adding another slab as the base of the pyramid.

By creating custom slabs, you can add your own custom bevels that you create in Illustrator, and create the specific look that you are going for. As for the square box, you can also make one using the same technique by piecing 6 square slabs together to form the cube. After piecing together the shape, you can then group them together so that the piece moves as one single object.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Donovan,

I could think of one way in ProAnimator that will help you map the logo onto the golf ball. To do this, create another sphere that is the same size as your golf ball (or it can be slightly bigger). Then, apply a texture map with your logo onto the sphere. Next, apply a transparency map of your logo (black and white image) onto the sphere, and it will mask out the sphere, and leave only the logo on your golf ball.

If you are not familiar with transparency maps, it is a black and white image where the black areas will become transparent while the white areas will still be solid. By keeping your logo white, and the background black, it will keep your logo intact while it masks out the rest of the sphere.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Greg,

Thanks for attaching the new movie.

If you are using 3D Reflector version 1.0, I would recommend that you download the latest version, which is 1.5.0. The latest version contains bug fixes as well as stability fixes.

From the way the reflection moves, it could be the way the floor is set up that is causing the reflection to fly in from the top. You will want to make sure that your floor surface has a 90 degree x-rotation.

If you are still having any issues, you can try sending the project file to me at ed@zaxwerks.com

I can take a look at your project setup to see what you are running into.

Best,
Edward