[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Tyler,

That helps. It looks jumpy because if you’re going the whole 180 degrees and repeating the movie, you are replicating the frame at the point where 180 degrees happens. That’s why it jumps. I suspect it will be smooth if you have the first 180 degree spin, followed by a spin that begins one frame later than the first spin.

You could use layer splitting and render the whole thing that way, or make one movie with the 180 degree spin and repeat it — using the 1-frame-shorter movie for the second and subsequent movies.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Keith,

Given the organic complexity of the shape, you’ll probably have to build it in pieces.

I’d recommend using a rectangle 3×4 aspect ratio with a custom bevel for the front and a separate piece for the rear of the tube, again with a custom bevel. If Serge reads this, my bet is he’ll take it as a challenge and try to build one. 😉

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Tyler,

Are you doing this in ProAnimator or Invigorator. The answers will differ based on what you’re working with.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Keith,

Have you checked out the tutorial pdfs and introductory movies on the Zaxwerks site in the support area?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi guys,

Current versions of Invig and ProAnimator support Illustrator CS, so long as compression is turned off in the save diologue box. filled solids work best. Older versions of Invigorator will require you to export the file as legacy Illustrator… which is not the same as eps, by the way.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

When you save the Illustrator file, turn off compression. You can leave pdf compatibility on.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi egeefay,

You might save some time by putting the text around a circular path in Illustrator, or by setting up the project using placeholders in Invig and using the reload or replace command in Invig depending on how you set up your Illustrator file.

To be totally truthful the simplest solution by far is ProAnimator.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi RH,

Select the text…

Under the type dropdown, choose create outlines.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Joseph,

Try this: in Illustrator, choose your letter objects, then path>outline the stroke. You will now have filled solid shapes. Select those letters with holes in them and use compound path>create.

Save the file. Invig will now see shapes with holes. You can use the half pipe on the letters to create the tube look. Hint- use a small stroke and use the depth of the half pipe to control the thickness of the neon tube.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

The Z distribution movie drives home how great that one feature really is…

doing multiplane photograph animation just got a whole lot more interesting with these plug-ins.

Jon