youtuber408

Q: Difficulty creating 3D shapes in Apple Motin 5

Hello,

Screen Shot 2016-03-20 at 9.16.10 PM.png

 

I'm trying to create a 3D pyramid in Apple Motion 5 and am running into some annoying problems.

 

1) When starting this project, I noticed the x and y axis do not line up with another shape's x and y values. To illustrate, you'll see that the control points on my square (the base) range from X= +/-383.2 and a y of +/-500, yet my triangle aligns with the side of the base when it is on x = -123 to 123 (around this number, I know its not exact). This makes no sense at all. How can the two shapes align if they are on different points? I

 

Screen Shot 2016-03-20 at 9.16.10 PM.png

2) Why can I not adjust the z value on a single control point? You will see on image 2 I can only adjust on the x and y axis. I need to adjust the z value so all triangle touch in the end.

 

I've gotten this far but eye balling it and its not perfect and keep running into problems.

 

Thanks for your time.

iMac, null

Posted on Mar 20, 2016 9:35 PM

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Q: Difficulty creating 3D shapes in Apple Motin 5

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  • by fox_m,Solvedanswer

    fox_m fox_m Mar 24, 2016 11:45 PM in response to youtuber408
    Level 5 (5,547 points)
    Video
    Mar 24, 2016 11:45 PM in response to youtuber408

    Working in 3D in Motion by "eyeballing" is nearly impossible. The only reliable region of the canvas to work in is dead center [I always recommend starting everything in 3D at (0,0) - use guides!] There is visual parallax everywhere else. You can "assist" your views of 3D objects by changing the View from Active Camera or Perspective to one of the "planes" (left, right, etc.) which will flatten the view. That doesn't mean you can't get around it! Just let Motion do the work for you. (It helps to know the angles you need between objects. The specific angles I used below were looked up -- 35.5° is the planar angle between one triangle and the base. The 54.5° is derived from 90° + 54.5° = 144.5° which is the "other" half-angle; the 90 comes from rotating around the circle's edge in the replicator... it's... implied? or inferred? At any rate, no eyeballing involved [except for aligning the base].)

     

                    

    Make sure your project is 3D (add a camera or light). Make sure your triangles are equilateral (otherwise the degrees specified will not work... you will need to figure out the planar angles you will need.)

     

     

    Method 1:

     

    Align your equilateral triangles together -- all four. (Create one and duplicate 3 times.)

     

    With all four triangles selected, select the Anchor Point tool and drag it up and align it to the apex of the triangles.

     

    Select the 2nd triangle and set the Y angle to 90, the 3rd to 180 and the 4th to 270 (or -90).

     

    Select all four again and set the Rotation>X to -35.5°

     

     

     

    Method 2:

     

    Create 1 equilateral triangle.

     

    With the triangle selected, create a Replicator (type 'L').

     

    Set the Shape to Circle; Arrangement to Outine; Points to 4; and check the 3D option.

     

    In Cell Controls, select Align Angle.

     

    Dial down the Angle and for Angle X, set it to 54.5. 

     

    Adjust the Radius until the gaps just close. (Size of the radius will depend on the anchor point of your triangle shape.)

     

     

    For both methods:

    Match the square to the bottom.

     

    Method 1 (left) and Method 2:

     

    Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 7.00.40 PM.png

     

    Easiest Method:

     

    Start with a Square text character. Set the font size sufficiently large (about 500 or so).

    In the Appearance inspector, set 3D. Set Depth to 0. Set Back Edge to Square, the Front edge to Bevel, and dial down the Front Edge Size disclosure triangle. Set the depth sufficiently large (about 400 or so -- you will be eyeballing it at this point) and dial up the Width until the tip just forms.

    Set the material to whatever you like:

     

    Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 7.56.30 PM.png

     

    Need a font with a perfect square? Download ZZSC Basic Shapes

     

    Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 8.03.40 PM.png

     

    Character "map" : 0 = the circle; 1 = the "hairline"; 2 = ten-sided polygon; 3 - 9 = sides of polygon.  The two rectangles are 16:9 and 4:3 aspect rectangles and they are at colon and semi-colon respectively.

     

    Features: all characters are equal ascent and descent (font metric) and **zero-width** characters (makes them exceptionally easy to align, especially to character centers.)

  • by youtuber408,

    youtuber408 youtuber408 Mar 24, 2016 11:44 PM in response to youtuber408
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Video
    Mar 24, 2016 11:44 PM in response to youtuber408

    Hey,

     

    thank you so much! The last method worked for me in 5 minutes.

     

    Very helpful!