Panning Large Scenes Using Target Layers in 3D

Andrew Devis

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In this follow-on tutorial to his short series on working in 3D space, Andrew Devis shows how to use this simple technique to quickly and accurately pan around large layers/compositions to zoom in to the exact point required each time. You'll use target layers to get the exact coordinates needed for accurate panning - simple but effective!

Comments

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Re: Panning Large Scenes Using Target Layers in 3D
by Hey Chong

Hello,

This whole series is great and I was able to complete some projects for work simply by following along. Thank you so much.

I noticed that all of the sources are still images as opposed to a mix of video and stills. If I am trying to do pan ins and outs a la Story of Stuff - (with a person in front of a green screen keyed out to a solid background with animations popping up above or beside them) and panning in to the animations and then back out to a wide shot is it a different process?

Thanks so much,

Hey-Suk

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@Hey Chong
by Andrew Devis

Hi Hey-Suk

The same process for still images or video will work, the issue is just timing with video - making sure you arrive at the correct point at the correct time.

This technique is really all about giving you accurate target information to use for your camera. So, if you set your nulls to the right place (video or still) and then make sure that the animation is such that the camera control arrives at that target at the right time it should all look great.

Hope this helps
Andrew

... because it's all about stories ...

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Re: Panning Large Scenes Using Target Layers in 3D
by Josh Ewing

Thank you. This was a very helpful tutorial. If I want to add a motion blur, would I add that effect to the camera or the camera control layer? Thanks again, Josh

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@Josh Ewing
by Andrew Devis

Hi Josh

You add the motion blur to the layers that the camera looks at. You can't add motion blur to a camera layer and the null doesn't render so it wouldn't help on that.

If you see my 4 part series on working in 3D you will see me add motion blur in that to the layers and the particles.

Hope this helps
Andrew

... because it's all about stories ...

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Re: Panning Large Scenes Using Target Layers in 3D
by Michelle Lotker

Andrew,

This is a great tutorial! Very clear and easy to follow. When I apply this to my own project I am having one problem I can't seem to figure out though. Once I've copied and pasted all the camera positions to the camera control null object, when I try to fine tune a position, it effects all of the previous positions I've set! I'm not having a lot of luck getting exactly the view I want with the initial positions I copy and paste so I need to be able to adjust each one but each time I do and then scroll back through the time line it seems to have changed all my previous work. Any idea why this might be happening?

Thanks!
Michelle

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@Michelle Lotker
by Andrew Devis

Hi Michelle

The only reason I can think that this may be happening is that you have all your keyframes selected when you fine-tune your work. So, if you choose position on the cam control layer all the keyframes will be selected (gold) and if you make a change it will effect all the selected (gold)keyframes. So, make sure that you just select the null, move the CTI to the point you want to fine-tune position make your change ensuring that none of the other keyframes are selected (gold) when you paste (ie all the other keyframes are grey and not gold).

That should work, but if not, let me know and I'll have another think.

All the best
Andrew

... because it's all about stories ...

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@Andrew Devis
by Michelle Lotker

Awesome! That's exactly what was happening. I've learned through your video and trying things out that to select multiple objects in After Effects you hold the shift key rather than the Ctrl key. When I hold Ctrl and click a keyframe diamond turns into a circle, what does that mean?

Thank you so much for your help and for posting this online. I'm trying to learn video editing on my own and it's people like you that make it possible!

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@Michelle Lotker
by Andrew Devis

Hi Michelle

Really pleased you are learning so much and progressing. If you see this web page http://help.adobe.com/en_US/aftereffects/cs/using/WS3878526689cb91655866c11... it will tell you about the different types of keyframes including the 'Auto Bezier' keyframe which is the large circle you get with control + click on a keyframe.

All the best
Andrew

... because it's all about stories ...

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Re: Panning Large Scenes Using Target Layers in 3D
by Andrew Devis

Hi Howard

It has been great for me to be able to record this little series on working with 3D, and this last one on panning large scenes was actually the result of a direct request I had from someone on the cow, so I'm really pleased it is proving useful to a wider audience.

Thanks for your comment.
Andrew

... because it's all about stories ...

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Re: Panning Large Scenes Using Target Layers in 3D
by Howard Waddell

Thank you! Not only helped me with the subject (camera control), but also help me better visualize and use 3D layers. Much appreciated!

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