Scrolling in AE with different height sources at DVinfo.net

Matt Vanecek · July 31st, 2009, 03:01 PM

Ok, I never liked Algebra; perhaps somebody can give me a hint...

I've some Illustrator sources in After Effects for scrolling end credits--normal stuff, do the position keyframes, etc. The Illustrator files are different heights--some are taller (more text) than others. What's the best way to calculate the duration/keyframe locations, in order to ensure that the different files appear to be scrolling at the same speed? Right now I'm just tweaking the key frames with the comps stacked, and eyeballing the scrolling to make sure nothing is lagging behind.

Surely there's a better way...

Thanks,
Matt

Gregory Gesch · July 31st, 2009, 05:34 PM

Hi Matt - sorry my algebra isn't great either, so I would be tempted to do iether of two things;
Go into Illustrator and make one long thin graphic of all the titles imported in sequence then just keyframe the beginning and the the end positions of that single layer in AE
or
Convert all the layers to 3D, stack them above one another in order, create a camera and keyframe the beginning and end positions of the camera as it moves down them.
(or learn algebra I suppose:-)
Hope that might help?

James Henley · August 3rd, 2009, 06:29 PM

Hi Matt,

A variation on Gregory's second suggestion above might be to stack the layers then parent them all to a null object and set the keyframes on that null.

James

Aric Mannion · August 4th, 2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Henley

Hi Matt,

A variation on Gregory's second suggestion above might be to stack the layers then parent them all to a null object and set the keyframes on that null.

James

Yes, I think the null is the best tool in After Effects.

Matt Vanecek · August 6th, 2009, 09:20 PM

Well, I eyeballed it for this particular project, but the next one (which is in flight, so not long to wait), I will definitely give the null thing a go! That sounds really intelligent. Probably why I didn't think of something like it...Eventually I'll get through my "Learning After Effects" book.

Thanks,
Matt

July 31st, 2009, 03:01 PM	#1
Matt Vanecek Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 334	Scrolling in AE with different height sources Ok, I never liked Algebra; perhaps somebody can give me a hint... I've some Illustrator sources in After Effects for scrolling end credits--normal stuff, do the position keyframes, etc. The Illustrator files are different heights--some are taller (more text) than others. What's the best way to calculate the duration/keyframe locations, in order to ensure that the different files appear to be scrolling at the same speed? Right now I'm just tweaking the key frames with the comps stacked, and eyeballing the scrolling to make sure nothing is lagging behind. Surely there's a better way... Thanks, Matt

July 31st, 2009, 05:34 PM	#2
Gregory Gesch Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 114	Scrolling Hi Matt - sorry my algebra isn't great either, so I would be tempted to do iether of two things; Go into Illustrator and make one long thin graphic of all the titles imported in sequence then just keyframe the beginning and the the end positions of that single layer in AE or Convert all the layers to 3D, stack them above one another in order, create a camera and keyframe the beginning and end positions of the camera as it moves down them. (or learn algebra I suppose:-) Hope that might help?

August 3rd, 2009, 06:29 PM	#3
James Henley New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 23	Hi Matt, A variation on Gregory's second suggestion above might be to stack the layers then parent them all to a null object and set the keyframes on that null. James

August 6th, 2009, 09:20 PM	#5
Matt Vanecek Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 334	Well, I eyeballed it for this particular project, but the next one (which is in flight, so not long to wait), I will definitely give the null thing a go! That sounds really intelligent. Probably why I didn't think of something like it...Eventually I'll get through my "Learning After Effects" book. Thanks, Matt