Building Backdrops


Now you have the transitions you need for the final. These bold graphics should reveal an impressive layout underneath. It's time to start exploring the 3D aspect of the project. Next you'll create the background elements for each section using nothing but our multi-talented friend the solid.

Fun with 3D

If you're getting tired of the flat solid, this is the part you've been waiting for. You'll give your solids a little more punch and depth by spinning them in three-dimensional space until they land in place in your layout:

1.

Create a new composition named Moving BG Orange with dimensions 720x540, Frame Rate 29.97, and Duration 10;00.

2.

Create a new solid named BG Square 1 with dimensions 720x720 in a mid orange color (RGB: 255, 107, 15).

3.

Duplicate the layer.

4.

Go to time 3;00, and insert a composition marker (Shift+1.) This marker lets you quickly return to this point in time by pressing the 1 key.

5.

Turn on the 3D switch for each layer in the Timelines's Switches column.

6.

Set the Position of BG Square 1 to 360, 270, 88, and add a Position keyframe.

7.

Set BG Square 1's Scale to 48, 48%, and add a Scale keyframe.

8.

Set the Position of BG Square 2 to 596, 32, 88, and add a Position keyframe.

9.

Set BG Square 2's Scale to 18, 18%, and add a Scale keyframe.

Creating the 3D squares background

You've positioned the squares where you want them to land after they spin in space. Working backward, now you need to make them spin in to place:

1.

Go to time 0;00, and create the following keyframes for the BG Square 1 layer:

Position: 360, 270, 0 (animating the solid's position on the Zaxis from 0 to 88 makes the solid appear to move away from the viewer)

Scale: 110, 110, 110

Orientation: 0, 0, 0

X Rotation: 0 x +0.0

2.

Still at time 0;00, create the following keyframes for the BG Square 2 layer:

Position: 592, 38, 0

Scale: 50, 50, 50

Orientation: 0, 0, 0

Y Rotation: 0 x +0.0

3.

Press 1 on the keyboard to return to time 3;00.

4.

Add the following keyframes for the BG Square 1 layer:

Orientation: 0, 0, 270

X Rotation: 2 x +180

5.

Add the following keyframes for the BG Square 2 layer:

Orientation: 0, 0, 270

Y Rotation: 1 x +180

Adding the Rotation and Position keyframes

Save your work, and then preview the animation. The orange solids fill the entire Comp window and then rotate away from the viewer and stop spinning.

Creating the backdrop in multiple colors

Naturally, you need this fabulous backdrop in different colors for each sequence. Duplicate the Moving BG Orange comp twice. Rename the new comps Moving BG Green and Moving BG Purple. You could leave the squares where they are and change only their colors. However, the finished spot will be more eye-catching if you alter each background slightly.

Green

For the green sequence, leave the large solid where it is, and make the small solid land at the lower-left corner of the large solid instead of at the upper right:

1.

Open the Moving BG Green comp, and change the color of both solids to a mid green (RGB: 67, 179, 63).

2.

At time 0;00, change BG Square 2's Position to 80, 530, 0.

3.

Press 1 to go to time 3;00, and then change the Position of BG Square 2 to 121.3, 508.7, 88.

New layout for the green background

Purple

For the purple sequence, make the small solid land at the upper-left corner of the large solid:

1.

Open the Moving BG Purple comp.

2.

Change the color of both solids to a mid purple (RGB: 133, 79, 255).

3.

At time 0;00, change BG Square 2's Position to 70, 4, 0.

4.

Press 1 to go to time 3;00, and then change the Position of BG Square 2 to 123.3, 33.5, 88.

New layout for the purple background

Save your work.



    Adobe After Effects 6.5 Magic
    Adobe After Effects 6.5 Magic
    ISBN: 0321267230
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 236

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