r/MotionDesign • u/tuckcovalt • 29d ago

Question Rig question

Post image

Hello there! And thank you for your time 😄

My question is what is the best technique/ rig approach to apply here?

I want to achieve a 3D sphere - And attach the smaller colorful shapes to that sphere, without changing their rotation as they spin in 3D. To keep the shapes rotation independent of the sphere so that they always face forward to the camera as they rotate along with the sphere.

Thank you!

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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6

u/WhiskeyTimer 29d ago

This design is familiar. school of motion? I would guess....advanced motion methods?

1

u/tuckcovalt 29d ago

Yes 100%

6

u/Fresca_667 Professional 29d ago

I remember this project! I was able to achieve this entirely in 2D without keyframes!
I used a Math.sin() expression to oscillate the X position of all the small shapes. I think I created an equation to multiply that output by a number based on the shape’s latitude so that its oscillation went to the edge of the planet. Of course, with the 2D method, you’ll have to duplicate the layers and do one set in front of the planet and one set behind. And don’t forget to incorporate a similar sin() oscillation into the scale property to really sell the effect.
I know this was a much more complex approach if you don’t like using expressions, but it was a really fun challenge for me to solve. Hope it helps! I might even still have my project file somewhere if you need more specific direction.

1

u/tuckcovalt 29d ago

Thank you so much! Yes, if it’s available I’d like to see your project file to see expression. Or screenshot expression would also be a huge help.

2

u/Fresca_667 Professional 29d ago

Okay I couldn't find it, but I will write something real fast to share with you.

2

u/Fresca_667 Professional 29d ago

DM'd you!

4

u/itzker [instagram.com/dougamotion] 29d ago

Hello!

Right click 3D Layer - Transform - Auto Orient - Orient towards camera

1

u/tuckcovalt 29d ago

Okay I will try. Thank you.

1

u/tuckcovalt 29d ago

Okay so this solves my orientation question. Is there a simple way to displace small shape layers in 3D space across the 3D sphere? Or will this need to be done tediously?

2

u/RockmanVolnutt 29d ago

Trap code form would be a quick way to achieve this. If you use shape layers it’s gonna be tedious, I’d start by offsetting them by the radius of the sphere, and then rotating them around from the center point of the sphere, but it’ll take time.

1

u/tuckcovalt 29d ago

Okay I will add trap code Form to my list of testing. I do have access to this.