[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Dwaynne,

You can use another After Effects layer for a reflection by using the layermapping feature. Essentially, this involves assigning your AE layer or precomp to a layermap number, and enabling that number next to the reflection map thumbnail in the material editor. Then apply that material to one or more face(s) of the object. You’ll be able to adjust the amount of reflectivity, just as you can adjust specular highlights, transparency, etc for that material, even after you’ve aplied it. See the documentation or some of the on-line tutorials for more details about layermapping. Or ask a question here if you get stuck.

Depending on the look you’re going after and the 3D shapes you’re using, getting convincing results may require some additional manipulation of the reflection layermap.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi David,

Tell us about your system and version of ProAnimator to help us track down potential reasons for memory errors.

As John Dickinson (the other John) said, the files you’re making should be Illustrator format, with shapes and paths…. bit-mapped graphics will not work.

One more question for you. Can you open any of the objects or project files that came with the software without getting memory errors?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi FireBert,

Here’s a totally off the wall guess.

Take a look at the Invig check box for use comp lights. If it’s checked and you don’t have any comp lights, because you’re trying to use Invig’s own lights, you might get the black screen effect in best quality rendering.

Does this help?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi David,

If you run into issues, try saving your CS2 files with the compression option off. Whether you choose PDF compatibility shouldn’t matter.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Vince,

Absolutely! We call it layer cycling and it’s one of Invigorator’s really powerful features. I use it to accomplish morphs, deformations and complex motions that couldn’t be done any other way. And yes, I’ve used it to create a 3d coundown as well. (the numbers morph from one to the next).

When you build your Illustrator file, think of it as cell animation… a sequence of images on a sequence of layers. When you import the file into your Invigorator project, use the “import as layer cycling object” option. You’ll be able to control many aspects of playback once you’ve done that.

If you get stuck, post a question and we’l lhelp you through it.

Have fun.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Pete,

The rotation keyframe numbers need to be cumulative if you want to continue the rotation in the same direction.

Example:

a keyframe with 360 means one full spinning rotation. Setting a second keyframe at 720 will give you a second rotation in the same direction.

As you found, 360 gives you a full rotation. 180 makes the spin reverse half the rotation.

To easily slow down your rotations gradually, you can apply one of the keyframe assistants… easy ease, easy in, easy out, etc.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Thanks for the info, Matt.

I agree on your “move the camera rather than the object” theory. I do that with Invigorator sometimes too.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Matt,

Nicely done!

My test looks pretty similar, but your cloth looks tighter. … I’m guessing the much higher conform number and wind direction played roles in that.

Did you render one banner movie and composite copies offset by time and location, or actually render three instances of flag at once, or something else?

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Carlos,

I took a quick look at your movie… essentially looks like crime scene tape and it should be no problem for Flag.

I would recommend the following:

Size from height/width to control the shape.
Lock left and right edges/all edge points.
Use very little gravity .. something like .2
Use a very low wind speed.. start with something like a constant .2
Adjust wind direction angle and elevation to taste.

In the options window, try flag weight 1, conform 2 and air friction 5. all other options 0.

This should give you basic tape with very little movement or stretching and a slow rippling in the surface. Tweak it some more and you should have it.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Richard,

This may not be as simple… or inexpensive as you might hope.

You might search and post the question to https://www.architosh.com/ . Mac-based architectural folks have to deal with file conversion issues fairly frequently.

Otherwise, you might consider getting a plug-in for your client’s Solidworks app that allows it to export more universal formats. I know there’s one for .obj format, but I have no personal experience with Solidworks.

Also on the PC side, Polytrans might work, but it’s costly.

Hope this helps a little. If you do find a solution, let us know. I’m curious.

Jon