[Edward Wu]

Let’s say you create 2 Solid Layers in After Effects. The first Solid Layer contains a Sphere primitive, while the second Solid Layer contains some 3D Text. The first layer is on top of the second layer, in terms of Layer hierarchy. This means that no mater how much you use the Object Dolly tool to push the Sphere primitive back, it will always be “on top” of the 3D Text. Even though realistically, the Z value of the sphere should dictate that the sphere be “behind” the 3D text, however, the 3D objects are still confined to the After Effects’ layer hierarchy system.

Sphere, primitive as in a sphere created in Invigorator ?

Right, this is just an example. It can be anything created in 3D Invigorator. I just chose the Sphere Primitive and the 3D Text.

To make 3D Invigorator objects “interact” with 3D layers from After Effects, you will have to use the Layer Map technique. You will first have to create a Plane in 3D Invigorator, then set up a pre-comp of the After Effects layer you are working with. Next, apply the pre-comp as Layer Map 1 (3D Invigorator Effect Controls Panel > Layer Maps). Inside the 3D Invigorator Setup window, you can now apply the Layer Map as a texture map onto a material, then apply the material onto the Plane.

Now, when you rotate the camera, or do an object animation, you can have the objects interact with one another in the same 3D space.

I think I understand, yet I’m a little confused, if I have two layers one called “red” and another called “plane” which would have to be a pre-comp ? And which would have to be a layer map ? And why must it be a layer map for the object to interact with each other ? I understand that once it’s a layer map that is the only way they both move in the same 3D space but I just don’t get what I mentioned earlier.
Hope this helps.

Objects don’t need to be layer maps to interact with each other. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. What I meant was, if you wanted a layer (plane surface) to interact with a 3D Invigorator object (say, a sphere) in the same 3D plane, you have to bring that layer “plane” into 3D Invigorator. In order to do that, you have to use a layer map to get the appearance of that layer into 3D Invigorator so you can apply that to a plane (primitive) created in 3D Invigorator. By using a layer map, you can apply the layer map onto a material, which you can then map onto the plane. This way, both objects are in the same 3D space since they are in the same 3D Invigorator setup.

So technically, you don’t need to have layer maps if you just want objects to interact with one another. It’s when you want a plane to have the appearance of a 3D Layer from After Effects, then you use the layer map to map the appearance. The pre-comp allows you to set up the image more, so you can have an animated layer map, for example.

In a nutshell, how it works is: If all the objects are in the same 3D Invigorator setup, then they can all “interact” with one another in the same 3D space. If they are not, then they will operate in separate 3D space.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Chris,

Let’s say you create 2 Solid Layers in After Effects. The first Solid Layer contains a Sphere primitive, while the second Solid Layer contains some 3D Text. The first layer is on top of the second layer, in terms of Layer hierarchy. This means that no mater how much you use the Object Dolly tool to push the Sphere primitive back, it will always be “on top” of the 3D Text. Even though realistically, the Z value of the sphere should dictate that the sphere be “behind” the 3D text, however, the 3D objects are still confined to the After Effects’ layer hierarchy system.

This applies too when you are using the 3D Invigorator objects along with the After Effects 3D layers. Even though both are 3D objects, they are not in the same 3D space. Thus, when you rotate the camera around, both are changing in perspective, but it will get to a point where you see they are operating on separate 3D space.

To make 3D Invigorator objects “interact” with 3D layers from After Effects, you will have to use the Layer Map technique. You will first have to create a Plane in 3D Invigorator, then set up a pre-comp of the After Effects layer you are working with. Next, apply the pre-comp as Layer Map 1 (3D Invigorator Effect Controls Panel > Layer Maps). Inside the 3D Invigorator Setup window, you can now apply the Layer Map as a texture map onto a material, then apply the material onto the Plane.

Now, when you rotate the camera, or do an object animation, you can have the objects interact with one another in the same 3D space.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Chris,

The tip is referring to the way 3D Invigorator works. Even though the objects you create are fully 3D, when placed into After Effects, it becomes a form of simulated 3D that is projected onto the Solid layer in After Effects. This means that even though your objects will rotate with the camera, they technically can’t intersect with other objects, etc. The projected 3D models will always appear “infront” of other 3D layers.

Thus, when you want 3D Invigorator to interact to other layers, you will need to apply them as Layer Maps onto planes created in 3D Invigorator. This will allow you to have all your objects interacting with one another.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Steven,

You’re right. I think the button isn’t working very well right now. If you need to open a new project, or to create a new project, you can use the “New Scene” or “Open Scene” commands respectively.

Thanks for pointing out that issue to us.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Jason,

Interesting warning dialog that you are getting. I have seen the message for other programs before, but haven’t seen it in 3D Warps before. If you can send me a saved project to look at, that would be great.

My e-mail address is ed@zaxwerks.com

For the comp lights, if you are using Parallel lights that are casting shadows, then it will cause the program to slow down because of the shadow calculations that it is going through. If you switch the layer from Best quality to Draft quality, you should be able to scrub through your project a lot more smoothly.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Gary,

It’s likely that you’re saving the Illustrator file with compression, which is why you will get the error message that says “There are no usable vector paths in this file”.

If you use the “Save As” command to re-save the file, you can name the file again. After giving the file a name, you will see a “Illustrator Options” window. In this window, look for a checkbox that says “Use Compression” and make sure that checkbox is unchecked. Re-save the file, and you should be able to open the Illustrator file in 3D Invigorator.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Tyler,

If you mean applying a video as a texture map for your text, then you can do that for both ProAnimator and 3D Invigorator.

For ProAnimator, you have the option to apply “.mov” or “.avi” files directly as a texture map onto your objects. In 3D Invigorator, you will have to first import your video into After Effects, then look at the Effect Controls panel for the 3D Invigorator layer. Under “Layer Maps” apply the video as “Layer Map 1”. Now, in the 3D Invigorator setup window, you can apply the Layer Map to the material by clicking the “-” drop-down menu next to the texture map box to apply Layer Map 1 as a texture. When you drag the material onto the text, you will have the video onto your text.

After you applied the movie to the text, you will be able to see it move and rotate with the text as well.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Chris,

I think I understand what your saying. I haven’t had experience with this issue before, and I ran some more tests and couldn’t find the issue that you’re mentioning. If you can attach your project to me at: ed@zaxwerks.com I’ll take a look at your project and see what you’re running into.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Sure, if you are still having any issues, definitely contact me.

I typically work with a lot of Illustrator files ranging from CS2-CS4 and I haven’t run into any issues, so if you are having any problems, I’ll take a look at the Illustrator setup.

Best,
Edward

[Edward Wu]

Hi Christopher,

If you are using 3D Layer Warp, the animation that you applied to a pre-comp will still show up if you have that pre-comp in another Composition. If you are having problems seeing the animation in a test render you can send me the project so I can take a look at your setup and see what you may be running into.

My e-mail address is : ed@zaxwerks.com

Best,
Edward