[Edward Wu]

Hi John,

Thanks for the interest!

We don’t have a set date for the next release of ProAnimator, but it estimated that it will be released in Spring 2010.

If we have more information, we’ll make sure to provide an update.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Dave,

If you are not using ProAnimator version 4.5.1, I would recommend downloading the latest version from our download page below:

ProAnimator 4.5.1

ProAnimator 4.3.2 has an issue with the latest version of Apple QuickTime that could cause rendering issues.

If you are already using the latest version, you can try clearing the ProAnimator Preference files. Perform a search on your computer, and delete either files if you find them:

“Zaxwerks ProAnimator Prefs”
“Zaxwerks PA Prefs”

If you are rendering out of After Effects, you may want to try resetting the After Effects preferences as well.

In regards to your comments about the camera moves causing the rendering issues, please send me the project file to ed@zaxwerks.com

I will take a look at the project file and see if I can help you resolve your issue.

Thanks.

Edward

[Edward Wu]

You’re welcome.

We typically released updates immediately if we have major bug fixes, or periodically when we have minor bug fixes or stability builds.

In terms of upgrades, we are currently working on a new version of ProAnimator that will contain a lot of exciting new features. Stay tuned!

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Mitch,

If the white shape did not show up, you can try copy and pasting the white shape into a new Illustrator File. Save the Illustrator File with no compression, then in 3D Invigorator Pro, use the “Open Illustrator File” command again, and load the new Illustrator File that contains your white shape.

By doing this, you should still have the 3 colored shapes in your 3D Invigorator project, and have added the new white shape into your project as well. Then, you can move the white shape into the same set as all your other colored objects, and they will all animate together.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Craig,

You can have Title and Action Safe, as well as many other configurations on your screen. The controls are located under “Camera Mode”. Look under the “Grids” drop down menu, and you will be able to select the Title and Action Safe settings.

The screen shot below shows where the controls are located:

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Craig,

From your descriptions, it sounds like you are using the ProAnimator.

If you want to get a preview of what your layout looks like, you don’t necessarily need to use the “Render Frame” button. Hold the “Command (Control in Windows)” button, and the “Render Movie” button will turn into the “Test” button. By clicking on the Test button, it will give you a rendered preview of your scene.

If you want to get a full sized preview using the Render Frame command, then first use the “Render Frame”, then use the “Save Picture” command in the “File” menu. Then you will be able to zoom in and out using your image preview programs.

In regards to your question about the timeline, yes, you use the three mountain looking buttons to change the look of the timeline. The first (small) mountain button will zoom out on your timeline. The second (big) mountain button will zoom in on your timeline. Lastly, the third (bracketed) mountain, will fit your poses and transitions into your timeline.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Zvi,

The way you can work with Hebrew text is to use Adobe Illustrator (Photoshop can be used as an alternative). When you use the “Open Illustrator File” command, make sure to choose “Open By Layers” option. Then, when you want to edit the text, you can use the “Reload” command in 3D Invigorator to reload your Illustrator or Photoshop file. This way, you will be able to create your animation, and still reload the text if you have to make changes.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Great tutorial!

Unfortunately, the link leads to a 3D Text tutorial by Zak Peric.

The 3D Serpentine video tutorial link is provided below:

Eran Stern’s 3D Serpentine Video Tutorial

[Edward Wu]

Hi Mike,

I took a look at your project and fixed the animation using the “Make Hard Group” command from the “Transition Grouping” drop down menu. Make sure to select the “Hard Group” instead of just the “Group” because the Hard Group will keep all objects in the same position. I re-saved the fixed project and sent it back to you. Please check your e-mail.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Mike,

In your animation, try using the grouping controls in the Transition. The Transition Grouping should allow you to make a “Hard Group”. The Hard Group will lock all the positions together, and should help hold your logo pieces all together.

As for the logo moving apart, if you were animating the logo using the Tweak controls, then I would recommend using the Pose Positioning tools for the animation.

If you are still running into issues with this animation, you can try sending the ProAnimator scene to me at ed@zaxwerks.com
I’ll take a look at your setup and help you out with the issue.

Best,
Edward