[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Russ.

Can you link a screenshot or your bump map file?
Or you can send files to: matt@zaxwerks.com

Thanks a lot.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Yeneneh.

If you have a valid v4 authorization code, then the downloaded file doesn’t need to be a demo version.

If you see the Authorization dialog, enter your name and authorization code.

Let us know if you still have questions.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Mitch.

Yes. We haven’t seen any incompatibility with CS4 yet.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Geno.

> The radius of my sphere is 295. Is this 295 pixels? Can I assume that the outside of my sphere is at z=295 (provided that I am looking straight at it from the Front Camera View).
– This is 295 world units (not quite pixels). Yes, if Z=295, it will be just on the outside of the sphere.

> Am I on the right track?
– Yes. You have the right idea.

> Does anyone know how to calculate the points on an arc?
– You can probably use the following:
Assumption: Your sphere is centered at (0,0,363).
Assumption: We’re distributing the phrase “*Eighteen Letters*” – which has 18 letters – along the back side of the sphere
We’ll start numbering our letters at 0 instead of 1 to make the math easier,
so Letter 0 is “*”, Letter 1 is “E”, etc. — we’ll use the symbol L to represent the letter number
Position X = 295*cos(PI*(L/18.0))
Position Y = 0
Position Z = 363 – 295*sin(PI*(L/18.0))
Rotation X = 0
Rotation Y = 90 + 180*(L/18.0)
Rotation Z = 0

– That should get you close. Do the math for each character and write down the numbers somewhere.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Yeneneh.

You can download the free update here:
https://zaxwerks.com/download

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Geno.

In Invigorator, you’ll have to manually move each letter to the outside of the sphere. There is no auto-distribute in the Invigorator.

To do this in the Invigorator interface:
1. Create the sphere. Make it the size you want. Position it. Put it in Set 0.
2. Create your text block – let’s say you’re using “GENO”
3. Put the text block in Set 1.
4. Select the letter G. Use the Object Move and Tumble tools to put the G in position at a point outside the sphere.
5. Do step 3 for E, N, and O, placing and rotating the text letters in the appropriate places.

You can then use the Set parameters in the ECW to rotate Set 1 about the Y axis. This will rotate each letter around the sphere. If the center of rotation isn’t perfect, you may need to adjust the pivot to be the center of the sphere.

Alternately, you can use the Stats dialog in the Object tab to manually set each object’s position and rotation. This may be easier than eyeballing it, but it does require some math.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Yeneneh.

I suggest you upgrade to the current version of PA (v4.5.1). There was a bug where we deleted the temporary rendered movie before copying it to the proper name.

Try the current version and let me know if you’re still having trouble.

Thanks.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Arty.

Are you rendering from After Effects? Motion? ProAnimator?
We’ll need to know what product(s) and versions you’re using and what platform (Mac/Win) you’re on.

Are you able to send me your project? I’d be happy to take a look.
Send files to: matt@zaxwerks.com

Thanks.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Clayton.

Since the camera is locked within the PA interface, consider turning on the “Offline Camera” when inside the PA UI. This allows you to move the camera more freely.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Clayton.

Would you be able to send me your project? I’d be happy to take a look.

Send files to: matt@zaxwerks.com

Email me the project and a few steps to follow.

Thanks.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.