|
|
MAY 14, 2003 Up and Atom!
Alt+Click on the Z-axis rotation to open the Expression Controls for the layer. The black triangle allows you to select from a variety of expression presets and controls. If you go to the Property category and select Loop Out, no matter where you place the last keyframe in the layer, the expression will cause the effect to repeat through the remainder of the composition. By using this expression, you create an infinite looping electron around the nucleus.   To create additional electrons, duplicate the electron layer, but change the X and Y-axis rotation values: Electron 2 – X axis = -60, Y axis = +60 Electron 3 – X axis = 60, Y axis = 0 To prevent the electrons from overlapping in a regular way, try offsetting the Z-axis amounts for each layer. Remember that the nucleus is nothing more than a 2D layer in a 3D environment. If you want to give the illusion that the nucleus is actually a sphere, you will need to change the orientation of the layer. Select the Nucleus layer in the Timeline, then go to Layer>Transform>Auto Orient.  Change the orientation to Orient Toward Camera. Now if you add a camera to your composition, the nucleus will always point toward the camera giving the illusion that it is a sphere.  However, this presents a problem if you planned on parenting the electrons to the nucleus. Orientation of the nucleus would also affect the electrons. To solve this problem, it would be better to add a Null Object to the composition and parent all of the other layers to it. Once you have done all of this make a RAM preview and view your results.
With a little more creativity, you can actually animate the layer opacity and timing of the layer to make the electrons appear when you want them to. From here, you can see how easy it is to take the electrons and create large swooshes for your other motion graphic projects. When not working deep in the labs of the DMN Central Division testing the latest and greatest software/hardware products Stephen Schleicher can be found at the local university teaching a few courses on video and web production. He can be reached at schleicher@mindspring.com. You can also visit him on the web at www.mindspring.com/~schleicher Related sites: • Animation Artist • Animation Supplement • AV Video • Broadcast Newsroom • Content Mastering • Creative Mac • Design Supplement • Digital Animators • Digital Game Developer • Digital Post Production • Digital Producer • Digital Video Editing • Presentation Supplement • Siggraph News • The WWUG Related forums: [an error occurred while processing this directive] 
|