Adobe 12040118 Tutorial - Page 459

Obsolete effects Basic 3D effect Basic Text effect Lightning effect Path Text effect Effects in the Obsolete category are retained for compatibility with projects created with previous versions of After Effects. When updating projects or creating new projects, you should use alternative effects and techniques rather than effects in the Obsolete category. Basic 3D effect To the top If you are working on a project that was created in an older version of After Effects and the Basic 3D effect is applied to one or more layers, you can continue to use the Basic 3D effect; otherwise, use the 3D layer switch to convert layers to 3D layers. (See 3D layers.) This effect works with 8-bpc color. The Basic 3D effect manipulates a layer in 3D space. The quality setting of the layer affects Basic 3D. Draft quality calculates pixel location to the nearest integer value; Best quality calculates pixel location to the subpixel level. Swivel Controls horizontal rotation (rotation around a vertical axis). You can rotate past 90° to see the back side of the image, which is the mirror image of the front. Tilt Controls vertical rotation (rotation around a horizontal axis). Distance To Image The distance from the image to the viewer. Specular Highlight Adds a glint of light that reflects off the surface of the layer. The light source for the specular highlight is always above, behind, and to the left of the viewer. Because the light comes from above, the image must be tilted backward to see this reflection. The specular highlight can be viewed only at Best quality. When Draw Preview Wireframe is selected, the specular highlight is indicated by a red plus sign (+) if it isn't visible on the layer (that is, if the center of the highlight doesn't intersect the layer) and a green plus sign (+) if the highlight is visible. Preview Draws a wireframe outline of the 3D image. The wireframe outline renders quickly. To see the final results, deselect Draw Preview Wireframe when you finish manipulating the wireframe image. The preview wireframe is drawn only at Draft quality; when you switch to Best quality, the image content is drawn. This way, you won't accidentally render a Best quality movie in Preview mode. Basic Text effect To the top If you are working on a project that was created in an older version of After Effects and the Basic Text effect is applied to one or more layers, you can continue to use the Basic Text effect; otherwise, use text layers for greater control over text formatting and text animation. (See Creating and editing text layers.) The Basic Text effect places text on an existing layer-unlike text created on text layers or imported text created in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, either of which becomes its own layer. This effect works with 8-bpc color. Note: The width and height of text aren't constrained by the dimensions of the layer; the layer dimensions merely define the visible region of the text. Position The position of the text on the layer. Note: The Alignment setting in the Basic Text dialog box affects the behavior of the Position point. The point always positions the vertical center of the text relative to the layer. However, if the text is left-aligned, the point positions the left edge; if the text is center-aligned, the point positions the center; and if the text is right-aligned, the point positions the right edge. Lightning effect To the top If you are working on a project that was created in an older version of After Effects and the Lightning effect is applied to one or more layers, you can continue to use this effect; otherwise, use the Advanced Lightning effect. (See Advanced Lightning effect.) This effect works with 8-bpc color. Start Point, End Point Where the lightning begins and ends. Segments The number of segments that form the main lightning bolt. Higher values produce more detail but reduce the smoothness of motion. Amplitude The size of undulations in the lightning bolt as a percentage of the layer width. Detail Level, Detail Amplitude How much detail is added to the lightning bolt and any branches. For Detail Level, typical values are in the range