In this GSG Cast, I try to make sense of how layer order effects visibility in After Effects when using 2D and 3D layers. There is also a tip on how to force a 3D element into place by using 2D layers. Enjoy!
Understanding 2D and 3D Layer Order In After Effects
August 25, 2009
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15 Comments
You can use an adjustment layer to break up the layer order also.
JonS. on August 28th, 2009 said...
I typically use adjustment layers to do this as well
See this page for a complete description of how render order affects interactions of 3D layers:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEffects/9.0/WS3878526689cb91655866c1103906c6dea-7e3ba.html
Even though you were winging this (;P), I GOT IT! Thanks for the explanation, Nick. This has been a perplexing problem for me, but not only have you made sense of this, you’ve turned it into an asset.
thegorilla on August 25th, 2009 said...
I wing all my tutorials wk!
There is nothing better than live problem solving right? Glad I could help!
hey nick!.. im looking for something to make some good voice recording for some projects and i like to know what do you use for your tutorials. And everyone let me know what do you use or giveme some recomendations pls ;D
thegorilla on August 25th, 2009 said...
I use Screenflow for all my tutorials. ROCK!
brianpeluso on August 25th, 2009 said...
screenium is another option for mac
thanks for exploring the finer intricacies and facets of after effects…
i had this problem in my last project some times ago. i thought my AE was being emo. thanks fr the tutorial nick! keep em comin’
thx a lot, very clear for me
Is this why I’m sometimes having troubles with shadows not being reflected?
thegorilla on August 25th, 2009 said...
Yeah, I think it would affect that too. It’s like a whole new 3D world when you separate them.
that’s a great tip. i never knew of separating 3d worlds
Rather than a solid with 0% opacity you can also use an adjustment layer between 3d layers to break the ae render cycle.
thegorilla on August 26th, 2009 said...
Nice one. That works too.
Me again. I actually got to use this on a project last night. Floated a 2.5D character over a 3D background, creating the illusion of a complete scene without the foreground messing with the background. Thanks again Nick! I’d have been wrestling with scale and z-distance without your tip.
why do you say “i am the gorilla” ????
thegorilla on August 27th, 2009 said...
Catch phrase I guess… Not a fan eh?
Hey nick wonderful tip man u rock…..
U know i have been following u ever since i got into after effects nd ur small little tips & basics come really handy nd that Gorilla at startup is really cool!!!
Anyways inspired by ur Conform Non Conform, i tried nd came up with smthng looking good……well u must be busy but would really appreciate if u could jst take out a little of ur precious time nd see it
http://aftereffectsunlimited.blogspot.com/
Once again thanx a lot for evythn…MAN U R A TRUE INSPIRATION
thegorilla on August 27th, 2009 said...
Nice Ashish! You did well with the tone and colors of the piece. It’s a little similar to mine though eh? Try to use the techniques in the tutorial to build something different and own-able. The simple animation in the pre-comp can be anything. Try it with triangles instead of stripes? See what I’m saying? Keep working!
Ashish Chauhan on September 2nd, 2009 said...
Surely gonna try it other ways, thanx for ur tip & thanx a lot for evythng man
U ROCKKK…….
Great tutorial – loved the bit where you found out that nulls don’t work as separators >< I lol’ed abit – “hey he’s learning too!” hehe
I was wondering if you could cover the basics of compositing a 3d object into a live action scene. Stuff like matching the lighting, colours etc would be really nice
Thanks for them great video tips ^_^
And that’s why you sometimes have problems with trapcode effects wich are applied on 2d layers. Had a few issues with my end of study work where Lux got over walls that were supposed to hide the volumetric light.
We found that solution after a looong night of trials
Anyway great video, that helps a lot clearing things up.