Re: 3D Bend Nested Comp Problem

Let's say you create 2 Solid Layers in After Effects. The first Solid Layer contains a Sphere primitive, while the second Solid Layer contains some 3D Text. The first layer is on top of the second layer, in terms of Layer hierarchy. This means that no mater how much you use the Object Dolly tool to push the Sphere primitive back, it will always be "on top" of the 3D Text. Even though realistically, the Z value of the sphere should dictate that the sphere be "behind" the 3D text, however, the 3D objects are still confined to the After Effects' layer hierarchy system.

Sphere, primitive as in a sphere created in Invigorator ?

Right, this is just an example. It can be anything created in 3D Invigorator. I just chose the Sphere Primitive and the 3D Text.

To make 3D Invigorator objects "interact" with 3D layers from After Effects, you will have to use the Layer Map technique. You will first have to create a Plane in 3D Invigorator, then set up a pre-comp of the After Effects layer you are working with. Next, apply the pre-comp as Layer Map 1 (3D Invigorator Effect Controls Panel > Layer Maps). Inside the 3D Invigorator Setup window, you can now apply the Layer Map as a texture map onto a material, then apply the material onto the Plane.

Now, when you rotate the camera, or do an object animation, you can have the objects interact with one another in the same 3D space.


I think I understand, yet I'm a little confused, if I have two layers one called "red" and another called "plane" which would have to be a pre-comp ? And which would have to be a layer map ? And why must it be a layer map for the object to interact with each other ? I understand that once it's a layer map that is the only way they both move in the same 3D space but I just don't get what I mentioned earlier.
Hope this helps.

Objects don't need to be layer maps to interact with each other. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. What I meant was, if you wanted a layer (plane surface) to interact with a 3D Invigorator object (say, a sphere) in the same 3D plane, you have to bring that layer "plane" into 3D Invigorator. In order to do that, you have to use a layer map to get the appearance of that layer into 3D Invigorator so you can apply that to a plane (primitive) created in 3D Invigorator. By using a layer map, you can apply the layer map onto a material, which you can then map onto the plane. This way, both objects are in the same 3D space since they are in the same 3D Invigorator setup.

So technically, you don't need to have layer maps if you just want objects to interact with one another. It's when you want a plane to have the appearance of a 3D Layer from After Effects, then you use the layer map to map the appearance. The pre-comp allows you to set up the image more, so you can have an animated layer map, for example.

In a nutshell, how it works is: If all the objects are in the same 3D Invigorator setup, then they can all "interact" with one another in the same 3D space. If they are not, then they will operate in separate 3D space.

Best,
Edward