[Zax Dow]

Hi Brian,

Setting faceting to .1 can definitely slow things down. Normally, Draft faceting should be left at 3 and Final faceting is set to .5 or perhaps lower, but only when you need it. This way when the layer is set to Draft mode (set the layer quality switch to “Draft” by making the little diagonal line jaggy) the program works in near-real-time. Then when you set the layer quality to Best (either by making the diagonal line smooth, or by rendering with the option to set all layers to Best quality) then the final, high rez models are built and rendered nice and smooth.

Usually you only set final faceting to .1 on a few objects that will be very close to the camera. Once there was a user who’s renderings were taking 20 minutes per frame. I found that he had 80 curvy objects and all of them were set to .1 faceting. We set all of them back to .5 except for the 3 that flew close to the camera, which we left at .1. This one adjustment changed his rendering time to 10 seconds per frame.

Best,
Zax

[Zax Dow]

The fix is up!

The 4.3.3 version of ProAnimator and the 4.3.2 version of Invigorator adds support for multiple monitors. If you move the project you’ll get a warning to reset window positions. If you disable the warning and need to reset window positions, hold down the Control key when opening up the SetUp window (in AE) or creating a new project (in the standalone).

Have fun!
-Zax

[Zax Dow]

Hi Sean,

Please send me your project file. I’ll try it out here and see if it causes me trouble too.

Best,
Zax
zax@zaxwerks.com

[Zax Dow]

Hi Brian,

Create a new AE project, DV sized comp and a comp sized solid.
Then add the Invigorator to the solid and click the Demo button.
Next click the “Create 3D text” button and type your name. Then OK.
Now you will see your name in 3D.
Try to change tool modes and see if the problem still exists.
If it’s gone then we can look at a more complicated project.
If it’s still there we can look at something about your system.

Best,
Zax

[Zax Dow]

Instructions for doing this can be found here: https://zaxwerks.com/helpcenter/?page_id=49

[Zax Dow]

Instructions for doing this can be found here: https://zaxwerks.com/helpcenter/?page_id=49

[Zax Dow]

Someone else had this trouble and discovered that by turning on the Multiprocessing option in the AE pref, he regained stability again.

[Zax Dow]

Definitely get the latest version of ProAnimator (4.3.2).

Most likely you’re having the “undocked panel” problem. If you have any panel in AE 7 or 8 undocked, when you open the ProAnimator UI you’ll get flashing, or a freeze, or someother UI problem. To fix this, switch to a fully docked AE interface before you open the ProAnimator, then once you close the ProAnimator you can switch back.

Best,
Zax

[Zax Dow]

Sounds like you are using the old 3.x version of Classic, which saves the styles into the AE project.

Upgrade to the 4.x version to get the new feature where the swatches are saved in a central bin so they are available to all instances of the Invigorator.

Best,
Zax

[Zax Dow]

Hi David,

I do have a suggestion. Rather than using folds, use really small bends. If you do a complete fold the two sides will end up being co-planar, causing the intersection problems you spotted. But if you use really tiny bends the two sides will still have a little space between them.

To do a tiny bend set the limits to a small number. The limits set the area within which the warp is applied, so a value of 10 will bend the plane only within 10 units of space. To compensate for the tiny limit area you’ll have to use a very large bend amount.

And, as you’ll find, doing a bend from center folds both sides of the paper at the same time, while using Bend One Side leaves one side where it is and bends the other side towards it.

Hope that helps,
Zax