[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi eddiekay,

Since you’re talking about sets, I’m going to assume you’re using one of the Invigorator apps.

Click the red ball to go to the set-up window.

Below the window choose the 3D block icon to get into the object mode.
Now, select the object in the window or in the object pop-up window.
Notice the smaller pop-up with the number in it? Choose the set number you want and hit okay.

You’ve now reassigned the object to another set.

Now you can select the different sets in the scene preview area and animate.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Richard,

I’m not famiar enough with C4D to go into detail, but both apps do play well together. Both can use comp lights and the comp camera. Cinema’s modeling tools are broader, but the learning curve is a lot steeper. You can do a more in-depth comparison by visiting the websites from both companies.

I may be biased, but no one can touch ProAnmator’s behavioral animation tools. If you’re looking for the fastest, easiest way to create cool and complex animation of logos and text, PA is by far the best choice.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Jim,

Try resaving the file with compression off. PDF compatibility is okay.

The file should not include bit-mapped elements. Filled solids work best. Convert all text to outlines.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Richard,

You can use ProAnimator projects created in the standalone version inside of AE very simply.

In AE, apply the ProAnimator effect to a solid. When you click on the effect panel, choose “create a new scene.” Then, when PA opens up, simply open the existing standalone scene.

Everything will work as it did when you built it, but you can alter your materials to include animated image, bump and transparency maps.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

MyKee,

My guess is that Illustrator traced around the edge of the artwork and filled it with white. It’s probably created a compound path as a result. Go to the View menu>Outline and you’ll see all the paths the autotrace created without any colors… that’ll make it easy to spot.

Remove that outer box and you should be good to go.

Let us know if this works.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi.

Invigorator and ProAnimator like filled solid shapes. Sometimes using autotrace causes unusual compound paths that don’t seem to work right — there’s a thread about this from recent weeks. If you want, send me the file and I’ll take a look at it.

jokerstrom 1 (at) mac.com

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi MyKey,

Two suggestions: When you save your Illustrator file, you can leave pdf compatible checked, but must uncheck the use compression option.

Also, you can expect to do some clean-up with autotraced files. The automated process often creates more points than necessary as well as twisted control handles that can results in spikes when you convert the art to a 3D model.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

To follow up for those following the thread…

The logo was autotraced and included some odd compouund paths. It required a good deal of clean-up and heavy use of spikebuster to make it work. A far easier solution would have been to manually draw the logo in Illustrator using the photoshop art as a template.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

I’m not sure, but I’ll look at your Illustrator file if you want.

jokerstrom1 (at) mac.com

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Keith,

Do you have Invigorator or ProAnimator. They can both be used inside of After Effects but are vastly different. ProAnimator has the animation presets you mention. Invigorator does not.

Jon