Making 3D Planets?

How can I make a 3D Sphere object to use as planets which I can animate to rotate?

Every font will have different characteristics and require "massaging" the parameters to make the following look "right", so follow the exact parameters listed to start, then you should be able to adventure out on your own.

Create a new Text Object in the canvas. Type Option-8 (bullet character.)

In the Text inspector > Format:

Set the Font to Bebas Neue

Set the Size to 1437 (necessary for this particular example.)

In the Advanced section:

Set Offset X to -284.0

Set Offset Y to -503.3

In the Appearance pane:

Turn on 3D text.

Depth 0

Dial down the Front Edge Size and set the Depth to 212 and the Width to 285.

Down in the Substance area, change the Substance to Generic and for the Surface, change it to Image.

Find some "planetary" type "textures" (images) and drag one into the source well.

Dial down the Placement parameter set and dial down the Scale parameter. Uncheck Scale With Font Size and adjust the scaling and positioning to your liking. (Note: You will not get a 360° surface mapping with any type of image. Motion maps a "quadrant" arrangement on a shape and blends the overlaps [the front side will be normal orientation and the back will be the reverse.])

In lieu of an image, you can create your own "textures" in Motion. Create a new top level group set to 2D (Fixed Resolution recommended.) Add a Clouds generator and set the Gradient to the planet colors you want (Green/Blue, Dark Red/Beige, etc.) Manipulate the Layers controls; turn the Speed to 0. Manipulate the Horizontal and Vertical Scales. You can layer other types of graphics on top of the Clouds generator if you like — just apply the whole group to the Substance Image well.

[The image below uses an "earth surface" image. There is really *no way* to get a perfect sphere shape from an extrusion of this type. You can use a Replicator to get a better spherical shape, but it's next to impossible to get a decent result with an image style substance - but it's a great way to make "crystal balls" an mirror spheres.]

To spin this:

To the Properties > Transform > Rotation > Y parameter - right click and Add Parameter Behavior > Oscillate. To the Oscillate behavior, set the Wave Shape to Sawtooth; Amplitude to 360 and Speed to 3.

How can I add a glistening effect for stars?

Add a new top level group. Set it to 2D. Add Generators > Noise. To the Noise generator add Filters > Color Correction > Threshold. Set the Threshold Threshold to 0.90 or greater. Set the Smoothness to around 0.05. To the Generator add Filters > Glow > Glint. Set the Glint Size to 0. Set Color Fringing to 0 to 1. Set Glow Amount to 20-50. Intensity should be 3 or less. You can add a really nice deep blue mix into the black background by setting the Exposure to 6 and the Tint to 1.

These suggestions are not the only way to accomplish what you want, but 3D in Motion is really pretty easy once you get some practice with it.

That is actually a harder question to answer than the others. Every time I need a star field, I build a brand new one from scratch and frequently using different techniques than I have before (the Noise generator shortcut is one...LOL.) Your request is quite specific: the need to maneuver the camera around inside a 3D star field.

This is how I would approach that:

[Assuming a 3D project with Camera added - and since you're already using a 3D object:]

Create a new Text object and type a period. (default size should be about 48, that'll be good. Use Proxima Nova.)

Type 'E' to create an Emitter.

Set the 3D checkbox.

Select Shape: Box.

Arrangement: Random Fill

Set Size to 1650 (more or less)

Set all the Emissions (lat, long, range) to 0

In Cell Controls:

Set Birth Rate to 0

Set Initial Number to ... 2500

Set Life to 10 (or however long your project is, or more)

Set Speed to 0

Set Speed Randomness to 30 (try settings between 0 to 150 [you can ramp this up for a pretty spectacular effect... but it won't match the scene you're building very well.])

Set Scale to 0 and Scale Randomness to 100 - 200.

I also recommend setting Color Mode to Pick from Color Range

and use a gradient somewhat like this:

What I like about this method is the twinkling effect that's created in the smaller stars.

LJFletcher wrote:

… how could I make the stars appear on a 3D plane if that makes sense

I want to move the camera around the 3D space eseentially

... what about a simple 'Box Universe'? Not as smart and elaborated as Fox' real 3D starfield, but for background only...?

depends how big your other elements are ...

and what sort of camera movement you have in mind - for a slow sweep, moving a background in opposite direction creates 'parallax shift'.

if you do more Startrek-like flying, Fox' universe is your only option ...

btw: awesome advice, as usual, F.!! And love your latest '3D cup' tutorial on your yourtube channel!

For those who haven't subscribed yet:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTubKRYmcsBygZRa6S3vCA

... a must, imho! 😉