Here's a question for you - say I have three layers side-by-side in a 3D flythrough scene. I want to group them together as a unit so they move together. I have two options: either I pre-compose them with "leave transforms in composition" grayed out, so that I have to turn on the collapse transforms button on the precomp to bring them back into the main comp's 3D space. Or, I have to precompose without the collapse transforms, turn on the precomp's 3D switch, then have to bring the precomp back to the correct coords manually. And if I do the former method, that precomp is itself a 2D comp, so I can't manipulate the layers together in 3D space. I have to go into the precomp and change the layer's z-position without any reference to the master scene. If I then proceed to turn the 3D switch back on for the collapsed precomp in the main comp, the coords are all messed up and anchor point is in the wrong place. I'm sure this is totally confusing but I don't know how to better explain it.

Am I missing something? I think basically I'm wondering why the "leave transforms in current comp" button is unavailable when selecting and precomping multiple layers. Sometimes I just want to precomp as a method of grouping layers together instead of parenting, while leaving 3d axis controls and coords in the master comp. 

On Sun, Jun 8, 2014 at 9:34 PM, Roei Tzoref <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

thanks for the heads up Trish. I will be looking forward for anything you and Chris are up to on Lynda.

your lynda courses and CMG book are a an essential resource for knowledge and under the hood insights which have helped me so much in the past year. 

On Mon, Jun 9, 2014 at 3:16 AM, Trish Meyer (Lists) <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

As it happens, I've taught a course called Understanding the Rendering Order that focuses on the sunburst Collapse switch (which is different in 2D vs 3D as well as Illustrator vs. precomps)

It always sounds so boring as a description, but a good understanding of the render order is the key to getting work done without pulling your hair out. 

I just proposed teaching it for After Effects World in Seattle this Sept, so stay tuned on that. And I do have plans to turn it into a lynda.com course this fall. 

Trish

On Jun 6, 2014, at 11:37 AM, Roei Tzoref <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

thanks Teddy. I did a whole lesson about this confusing sunbrust switch and the by products of changing the render order

and now I really want to make it in a video tutorial (which would be my first),

seems like there's bits and pieces of it on the net but never the whole picture as I see it in one go.

so I need to get around to it and you guys of course will be the first to know and critique.

these are the resources I know about:

• VIDEO: After Effects Render Order Issues by Chris and Trish Meyer
• CMG Hidden Gems: Chapter 20 - Collapsing Transformations by Chris and Trish Meyer

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar9S1U-ATEU - Render

• http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/workflow/the-naked-truth-about-collapse-transformations/?search_index=1

• Understanding The Render Order In After Effects

On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 8:11 PM, Teddy Gage <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

Actually, I would love to see that.

-TG

On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 12:20 PM, Roei Tzoref <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

thanks for letting me know about the script.

about the breakdown - this year I started teaching AE in design school. learned so much by teaching since I wanted to be prepared

for every contingency. basically did a breakdown for all the Ai/Psd -> Ae Workflows and Scenarios. 

if I didn't, than one student would say "hey!, it doesn't work!, its broken! theres a bug in my software" etc. etc, and I get nervous trying to figure out what the hell happened.

also you learn a lot from all the students ways of getting lost, I learned about how to stay on the right path in many situations. 

if you liked that , you will be amazed about the breakdown I did for collapse transformations ;)

On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 7:10 PM, Jayse Hansen <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

Ah yeah - the script I use (rd_compsetter) changes the frame rate for all nested as well in case that helps. 

Seems like it'd be an easy addition to the import dialog box. 

Really interesting breakdown you gave on how the double dialog box works - never figured that out. I think I always just skipped the first one. 

--------------------------------

Jayse Hansen

www.jayse.tv

jayse@jayse.tv

702-321-3449

On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 9:04 AM, Roei Tzoref <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

thanks Jayse. I am aware scripts for duration, but still there's the frame rate problem (and for every precomp).

so for now you just have to pay close attention on import to see if you have enough duration and on current frame rate.

On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 6:19 PM, Jayse Hansen <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

You are right!

I hate that too. 

There's some ae scripts that can fix it and the nested precomps plus layers etc. without too much hassle - but still - you shouldn't have to. 

Good request!

--------------------------------

Jayse Hansen

www.jayse.tv

jayse@jayse.tv

702-321-3449

On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 4:13 AM, Roei Tzoref <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

hey guys,

I have been thinking about it for some time now and before I send a formal feature request

I wanted to pass this through you to check if I was missing something here.

does it seem to you also that AE's import dialog box on a layered Photoshop/illustrator

should contain a field in which you could specify the duration and frame rate

for a layered Psd or Ai file before AE actually made a composition?

AE gives you the last duration and frame rate used which is in my opinion

a high potential for a lot of trouble if you're not careful.

too often I get fooled by that one. and of course the problem depends 

on how many pre-comps are there, but the frame rate can also fool you

if you change them occasionally.

If I was aware before hand, what I do is create a blank composition, with

the proper duration and frame rate - and then I import the file. but too often

I've already started and now I see got tons of pre-comps to extend. 

(I can also re import after making blank composition but its cumbersome)

what do you guys think?

am I right or am I right?

 

--

_____________________________

VFX & Motion Graphic Artist
teddygage dot com

__________________________

Trish & Chris Meyer | Crish Design

http://www.crishdesign.com

Email: trish_lists@crishdesign.com

--

_____________________________

VFX & Motion Graphic Artist
teddygage dot com