Reflective Glass (Space Helmet)

Reflective Glass (Space Helmet)

by Eric Kirk

on Mar 27, 2011 at 11:58:55 pm

Hello,

I don't think this will be that hard but anyone have a good method for creating reflective glass in AE (CS5)?

Here is what I have. I have a space helmet and I'd like to basically replace the front glass with that dark reflective glass like you see in most space movies. It looks like sunglasses and reflective.

Appreciate any pointers.

Eric

Eric D. Kirk
http://www.kirkproductions.com

Re: Reflective Glass (Space Helmet)

by Bret Williams

on Mar 28, 2011 at 4:13:56 am

Reflective glass looks reflective because it's reflecting something. You need to mask the area somehow. Depends on the shot, but perhaps a combination of tracking and masking. Then I would probably matte in a darkened shot. If it's a space helmet then I guess some stars or a nebula or a big lens flare. Depends. You probably want to warp it somewhat to appear that it's curved glass. Bezier warp would do that nicely.

Re: Reflective Glass (Space Helmet)

by Eric Kirk

on Mar 28, 2011 at 1:15:20 pm

Hi Bret,

I appreciate the feedback. That's a good run down. While I was waiting I began using a semi transparent black solid, masked out, with another layer for specular that didn't look too bad. So, sounds like I am on track with about what you are saying. The shot is a straight on with just a slight amount of left and right movement (so does require tracking). Agree on the warp. I assume Bezier is already in AE (believe I've heard of it before) so will check that out with a back up of creating a slightly oversized shield in Lightwave 3D and masking it out since it would have the curve.

On an associated note, with reflection, is there a way to cast a reflection from a layer on to the helmet lense? I know the most obvious is mask it on there too but if the helmet layer could somehow be set to be the only layer that accepts a reflection it would spare the keyframing of the mask since the reflection would remain static against the moving helmet.

If that made any sense. :)

Thanks,

Eric

Eric D. Kirk
http://www.kirkproductions.com

Re: Reflective Glass (Space Helmet)

by Michael Szalapski

on Mar 28, 2011 at 1:43:38 pm

You can't have layers actually cause reflections on other layers in AE. AE is not an actual 3d world and thus there is no ray tracing. There is a plugin from Zaxwerks that you can use for reflections, but I don't think it's quite what you want. Motion tracking a layer that you've masked (and somewhat distorted) onto his helmet is the bets way. Don't forget to keyframe movement in the reflection when the head moves.

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