Set Matte/Matte type issue
by Bryan
on
Jan 7, 2007 at 2:03:36 am
I have about 300 layers in an animation. They're all on the same z plane, then break apart and fall away. They're basically shapes that fit together to make a seamless plane. I want to key in a video clip that appears seamless over this plane. Then when they break apart, each piece will pull it's part of the video clip with it as it goes. Normally I would use the the set matte plugin, or track matte the video after making the matte layer the parent. If I do this, however, my 300 layers will go to six hundred (plus a lot of tedium). Is there another plugin or an expression that will fill each shape/layer with the video? Kind of like a projected texture in 3D. I'm using the compound arithmetic plugin right now, but it doesn't lock the video to the matte, so when the layers fly, they just slide across the picture. Any idea?
Re: Set Matte/Matte type issue by Barend Onneweer on Jan 7, 2007 at 11:06:00 am
Instead of creating these separate layers, you could start over and use the Card Dance plugin. It will allow you to use a video layer, divide it into cards and animate the cards on the Z plane - in just one single plug-in.
It's an older plug-in with it's limitations (no shadows for instance) - and less control over individual cards. But it sounds like it would do exactly what you need it to do.
Re: Set Matte/Matte type issue by Mylenium on Jan 7, 2007 at 12:05:32 pm
Your layers would have to have implicit UV coordinates based on transforming the world space coordinates which is something AE does not have the slightest idea about. The best solution would be doing it in a 3D program where it's an absolute no-brainer. If you don't, then like Barend said Card Dance is pretty much the only real alternative. Shatter might also work to some degree, but it's more difficult to control as obviously it only uses two radial forces. If for some reason you can't use any of the plugins, you have to take the bitter pill to build 300-pre-comps for your individual layers.
Re: Set Matte/Matte type issue by morebo on Jan 7, 2007 at 9:40:18 pm
I am not sure of what you are trying to achieve, but there is an script at http://www.nabscripts.com/Downloads/downloads_en_1_createCylinder.htm wich will split your video footage into 300 pieces and make a comp for every piece. To break up the footage (pieces) you could use some of the 3D assistants plugin from digital anarchy.
