- To turn a layer into a 3d layer, turn on the box with the cube symbol (to the right of the layer name)
- 3D layers have an extra dimension added to the transform properties (Z = depth)
- When changing position:
- negative numbers move the layer towards the "camera"
- positive numbers move the layer away from the "camera"
Note: Make sure to return the setting to your main camera before rendering
Cameras:
- To create a new camera, go to Layer > New > Camer
- To adjust camera settings (that appear in the intro menu), select the camera and go to Layer > Camera Settings
- Note: Only one camera will be active per scene (if you have more than one camera, the top camera layer will be the active one. You can activate a different camera by choosing it from the camera view options in the composition window or turning it on (eye symbol) while turning off all other cameras.
- Use Point of Interest and Position for most of your camera animations (do not set rotation keys)
- Point of Interest—orients the camera angle (acts like rotation)
- Position—moves the entire camera
- Use "Camera Options" to control Depth of Field and other lens-specific properties
Lights:
- To create a new light, go to Layer > New > Light
- To adjust light settings, select the light and go to Layer > Light Settings
- Light types:
- Spot (most popular)—has the same controls as 3D cameras
- Parallel—has the Point of Interest control, allowing you to cast it in a certain direction without creating the same light fall-off as with the Spot light
- Point—allows you to change the position of the light source but does not have a particular direction or light fall-off
- Ambient—lights the entire scene evenly, allowing you to create base lighting (so that when you use a Spot light, you never have an entirely black area); Keep this light at very low intensity and always combine with another light-source
- Combine multiple light-sources for a more realistic, dimensional environment
Casting shadows:
- To cast shadows, select the light source(s) you want to cast the shadows and turn on the "CAst Shadows" option (off by default)
- Select the object that you want to cast shadows, go to Material Options and turn "Cast Shadows" on
- Make sure the object that will receive the shadow has "Receive Shadows" turned on in teh Material Options (on by default)
Material Options:
Use Material Options to control the way the object reacts to light sources in the scene (highlights, shadows, surface texture, etc)
