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muli
07-17-2006, 09:13 PM
I am trying to recreate an effect that is described in the book 'Creating Motion Graphics' Volume 2 by Trish & Chris Meyer - Chapter 19 'Integrating with 3D Applications.'

Here is the effect: mapping video in After Effects onto 3D plane that is created in C4D.

I have followed the steps in Meyers book, but I cannot get it to work properly. In a nutshell the book says to "check the option Enable Multi-Pass Rendering; then define which properties of the render are saved as individual files (see 1st attachment); this will then create a special .aec project file which contains the camera information.

When I render this out, however, no .aec file is created. So I check the AE Compositing box (see 2nd attachment). This creates an .aec file, but it contains no camera information.

Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong? Maybe Trish & Chris can help me?

Best,
Muli
mikeh64
07-17-2006, 09:30 PM
I posted an example file in a recent thread:

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=355323

1. set up your animation
2. place an "external compositing" tag on your "screen" object (this is a new tag since the Meyers' book was written)
3. also set a regular "compositing tag" on your screen object with an object buffer
3. check the 3D data box, save the AEC file
4. multipass render an RGBA pass and your object buffer
5. open the aec file in AE
6. swap a new comp in for the 3D data null

I think that's it - just spit it out from memory, hope I didn't miss something. Should get you close though.

Mike
muli
07-17-2006, 10:09 PM
Mike - this will give me the same results as the Meyers example???

I opened your zip file and followed your six steps. I really do not understand "object buffer," but I think I did it correctly (see attachment - I named the files after you!).

Now I do not understand what you mean in #6? How do I swap my video with the 3D data null?

Thank you for your help,
ML
mikeh64
07-17-2006, 10:40 PM
#6 refers to the 3d data nulls - they are located in AE 3D space where your screen is, so if you place a new comp in that same location, it will map onto your screen object (the comp will contain whatever footage you want on the screens)

the object buffer is used as an track matte on your screen comps so you don't see their "backs"

mike
muli
07-18-2006, 12:45 AM
Strange - I do not see these data nulls on my AE screen. Should I actually see dots or something in the 3D space?

Will they also appear in the timeline?

The jpeg attachment in my second post shows my AE screen/stage. Maybe they were not exported from C4D?

Thank you.
ML
Mylenium
07-18-2006, 05:06 AM
Strange - I do not see these data nulls on my AE screen. Should I actually see dots or something in the 3D space?

Will they also appear in the timeline?

Null objects in AE only exist on the timeline, they do not show up in the project window. If you have followed the steps to the letter, you should see them.

Mylenium
muli
07-18-2006, 12:52 PM
Here is my timeline. I have followed all of Mikes steps. I have also installed the C4D 9.6 plugin for AE 6.5.

Can someone post or email me a screen shot of these nulls in the AE timeline?
muli
07-18-2006, 12:52 PM
Another screen shot ...
AdamT
07-18-2006, 01:11 PM
You have to check the "compositing project file" box in render settings.
muli
07-19-2006, 03:19 AM
You have to check the "compositing project file" box in render settings.

I cannot believe I forgot to check that box. Would C4D still create a AEC file even if I did not check "compositing project file"???

Unfortunately I am on a business trip right now so I am far away from my C4D. I will check the "compositing project file" box when I return home.

Thank you.
ML
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07-19-2006, 03:19 AM
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