Ron Coy
Forum Replies Created
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ProAnimator is probably the best solution for what you’re trying to do, and it’s WAY cheaper than 3DS Max.
However, as far as 3D programs go, I like Max alot. I also am very fond of Modo, though I have no idea what I’m doing with it yet. This will change, as it seems to work the way I want to work.
Max is overkill for 3D text, but if you want to do real 3D work, it’s an excellent program. I just wish it wasn’t a Windows (only) program, but it’s so tied to Win32, it’ll never be anything else.
I like modo because it is cross platform, as is Cinema4D and Maya as well. And I guess Lightwave, but I don’t know why anyone would use it if they were starting out in 3D these days. It’s powerful, but it’s like pulling teeth to use.
I’m rambling. I could go on so much longer about this subject, too…
Bottom line, use what you like and what will work best for you, but don’t try using 3DSMax for text in After Effects if you want to actually manipulate and interact with the text within After Effects. ProAnimator or Invigorator are the better tools for that job.
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Just open up the files on the machine at work.
You will be using the new files anyway, so you don’t need to do anything with the original ones.
You can import multiple projects into one project if you’re trying to keep everything together in the end…
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there is a tutorial by jayse hansen here
that shows you how to make your own elements.
It’s a HUGE, TIME CONSUMING PAIN IN THE ASS.
but it’s worth it to be able to customize your stuff. The same technique works for writing on text, logos, etc.
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you could try splitting the glow layer and use a transition to move your earth through that layer.
it may not work perfectly, but you might get something good with it.
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well, it’s clear… a bit repetitive…
First, make sure your layers are 3D layers if you’re going to manipulate them in 3D.
The problem is the layer is flat and the effect happens on the 2D plane of the layer in 3D space within the plugin, so manipulating the layer itself isn’t going to solve your problem.
You need to move the emitter in 3D space, and move the camera around the emitter and vice versa to get a nice look.
it’s possible that you are trying to do something that this technique isn’t meant for… Some people out there have done the effect in different ways. There are a few videos on youtube where guys have adapted the effect or mimicked it, and you might be able to get some info on how they’re doing what they’re doing from them.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful, but I’m short on time… I’ll look at the effect on my own (again) and see if I can figure out how to work around the 3D limitations.
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you need to do a reverse or “inner” bevel, or cutout effect on it. Eye Candy had a great cutout effect and great bevel effects, but you can probably use inner bevel to get the look that you want. I think the Photoshop bevel is too soft, but that’s a matter of opinion…
Photoshop has that built in, so you can design that there, then track the bullet and map the text to the side of the bullet. Or just make it part of the bullet texture in the first place.
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I’m not seeing it in Andrew’s project file, but I may be missing something.
I also checked the map in Photoshop and it looks good, no seams there.
hrm.
check your motion tile settings and make sure you don’t have a weirdness in one of the settings, or just try to rebuild it in a new project.
Sorry I can’t help more. Maybe you can upload your project so that someone (like me) could look at your issue and see if we can fix it. Of course, that’s a bit of a problem on my end, as I have CS3 and I think you’re on AE7, right? If I sent it back, you couldn’t open it.
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try experimenting with the wiggle expression on the camera position to get a bit of random motion if you feel you need it. What you have here is too much motion and the rocking, swinging motion is overkill.
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Well, I haven’t made up my mind, but it depends greatly on the size you want to go with. For size, there are new 26 and 27″ monitors that are about the price that the 24″ monitors were just a year or two ago.
For quality, you can’t beat the Apple Display monitors for what you get, though they are a bit pricy. There are some incredibly expensive monitors (WAY more expensive than the Apple monitors) and there are some that are as good as the Apple monitors and are a bit cheaper but they’re not as aesthetically pleasing IMO. The Apple displays, especially the 30″, are very expensive, but the technology isn’t the same as they use in the cheaper monitors, and most of the monitors that use the same tech as the Apple displays are more expensive than the Apple displays.
Those Dell monitors are good. HP came out with a nice 30″ that was a bit cheaper than the Apple displays as well, and I think it had higher contrast too.
I’m leaning toward an HP 24″ that I can rotate 90 degrees, but I may skip that and wait for a 27″ that is rated well. Maybe the 27″ monitors will cause Apple and the like to drop the prices of the 30″ displays.
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I think there is a tutorial on this site dealing with wrapping things around corners. Also you can look at http://www.videocopilot.net and check out the camera projection tutorials.
The idea is to project footage onto the 3D surfaces, so that it wraps around them when it hits corners.