Basic PSD file to AE easy scale ready?
by Lee Baker
on
Apr 17, 2008 at 4:40:36 am
I am having a NOOB scaling problem .After 2 hours of searching through the forums, I think this way will be more effective . What is the best way to import PSD drawings to AE without stepping and losing detail.
Pending deadline...(HARI KIRI),
Re: Basic PSD file to AE easy scale ready? by Dave LaRonde on Apr 17, 2008 at 3:07:27 pm
[Lee Baker]"What is the best way to import PSD drawings to AE without stepping and losing detail."
First question: what are the dimensions in pixels of this file? Unlike Photoshop, AE completely ignores DPI. It's irrelevant.
Let's say you have two psd files. One is 4"x3" at 500dpi, and the other one is 20"x15" at 100dpi. To AE, they are both the same size: they're both 2000x1500 pixels. So if you've got a 320x480 psd file in a 640x480 AE comp, it's going to look bad, because you don't have sufficient resolution in the footage.
Second question: are you using a lot of fancy layer modes in Photoshop? If you plan to import the psd file as a comp for animation purposes, can you flatten some of the layers without messing up your intended animation?
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Basic PSD file to AE easy scale ready? by Lee Baker on Apr 18, 2008 at 1:51:06 am
Psd file W 26.663in x H 20.603in
PIXELS 600 dpi W 15998 pix x H12362 pix
It is a very simple B&W female to animate w/ AE puppet tool but imports as a huge file15998 x 12362(1.00) and is taking too much memory to trial and error.I aslo tried transform preserve aspect ratio and it gives me the same stepping effect. Am I missing a step? Is there a way to transform PSD file to vector to avoid scaling issue? I am good at drawing but am very new to CS3 if I can just get the basics down I can start producing some great art.
Re: Basic PSD file to AE easy scale ready? by Dave LaRonde on Apr 18, 2008 at 3:22:20 pm
[Lee Baker]"W 15998 pix x H12362 pix"
Lord, oh Lord, that's a HUGE picture! You're chokin' poor AE to death. Is there any way you can make it smaller, and still accomplish what you need to do?
"I aslo tried transform preserve aspect ratio and it gives me the same stepping effect. Am I missing a step?"
Probably. Are you working in an HD comp? Unless your HD comp is set to 1920x1080 or 1280x720, you have to deal with pixel aspect ratio issues in AE.
You may have the pixel aspect ratio compensation switch (located near the bottom of the comp window) toggled on. It shows pixels in their ultimate pixel aspect ratio, so you see the comp in its proper SCREEN aspect ratio. However, the display looks jagged. If you toggle the switch off, the display looks squeezed horizontally, but smooth.
Rest assured that when the time comes to render, AE will render in the proper pixel aspect ratio, AND it will be nice & smooth.
"Is there a way to transform PSD file to vector to avoid scaling issue?"
NO.
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Basic PSD file to AE easy scale ready? by Lee Baker on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:38:06 pm
Looks like I will better off drawing my image in Illustrator using vectors, because in PS I have to make the image large to avoid the low pix when drawing my image.
What Adobe programs are the best to use to bring artwork into After Effects?
Re: Basic PSD file to AE easy scale ready? by Dave LaRonde on Apr 21, 2008 at 4:06:28 pm
[Lee Baker]"What Adobe programs are the best to use to bring artwork into After Effects? "
That's an easy one: After Effects! It can work with RGB Illustrator documents. You import them as comps, in either document size or layer size. I don't think AE plays really nicely with Illustrator exotica like gradients. I don't know because I only make really simple stuff in Illustrator.
If you plan on animating separate items in the Illustrator document, make sure they get put on their own separate layers in Illustrator. If you use text, it's ususally best to convert it to outlines.
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
