[Jon Okerstrom]

When you save the file. Try using “save as” if you’re not seeing the checkbox.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Ben,

Using a precomp as a layermap is a smart idea – it gives you lots of control to animate the behavior of the reflection. Spending time to build in realism is key.

I would also add some very small glints and glows that enhance the highlights as the disk spins. A little of this will do a lot.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hello FeelTheLove,

You can use any version of Invigorator or ProAnimator. However, if you’re using an older version, you’ll need to export the art in a legacy Illustrator format. In any case, when you save the file, be sure the “use compression” box is unchecked.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

The height of the text block shouldn’t be a problem at all. ProAnimator would render the portion within view of the camera. It should look great.

Any flickering may be due to choosing incorrect field order (if you’re rendering fields). Rendering frames may result in a less-smooth roll than using field rendering.

Either way, you can also reduce flickering by choosing a higher antialiasing setting (slightly soften the edges) and by using motion blur.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Sure.

You have lots of options… the simplest might be laying out the text block exactly how you want it, and animating the location camera from top to bottom. Tilt the camera and you have a really simple “Star Wars” credit effect.

Of cousse, you have plenty of options if you want to animate the text instead.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Thanks, Judy.

Font name and number conflicts can happen on the Mac too. In the early days (OS9 and earlier), I had a font conflict resolver app… I believe it may have been part of Fontographer, but it’s been a long, long time.

In any case, I’m glad Matt was able to help.

Thanks for the update!

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Judy,

Try matt@zaxwerks.com. Matt typically uses this address for forum questions. In your note explain the problem and when you get it resolved, please post a follow-up so the forum members can benefit.

Thanks.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

It sounds like you’re using autotrace. This is generally not a good idea. In most cases, I end up doing the tracing by hand and put each element on its owned named layer. This makes animating and otherwise managing complex artwork really easy in ProAnimator and Invigorator.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hello rwspires,

The short answer is – use the image as a template and use Illustrator’s trace tools to create a vector version of the basic shapes. From there, you can import the Illustrator doc into ProAnimator and make it 3D. If the jpeg image includes gradients or special shading, you can apply that to the object’s face by using ProAnimator’s materials editor.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Judy,

There may be something odd about that font. I would suggest sending the font to Matt at Zaxwerks. I bet he’ll be able to figure out what’s happening.

Jon