Process Overview Part Six

Process point six: 3D logo work

One of the coolest parts of this project was getting to work with some of the 3D elements I included. The CU logo was the obvious choice, and I (convieniently) had a copy of it in a vector format. The process for this is (relatively) simple.

-Modify your vector image in Adobe Illustrator, making sure all the different parts of the image that you want to be editable are located on separate layers. Also, it is best if you move all the same colors to the same layer, as this will make it easier later in the process. Use the “pathfinder” utility in Illustrator to combine as much of the logo as you can into one continuous vector shape.

-Save this file as an Illustrator 8 file (this took me FOREVER to figure out), not as a new snazzy CS3 file. This is simply a compatibility problem inherent in the After Effects plug-in we will be using in the next step.

-Open After Effects and create a new Solid. Go to the effects menu and select Zaxworks 3D Invigorator. There are lots of plug-ins that can create 3D images in After Effects, I just happened to have the Zaxworks product. The Invigorator dialogue box should pop up and walk you through the rest, allowing you to import that newly created Illustrator 8 file into the system.

-Inside the plug-in you can fiddle with every thing to make the 3D object look and feel the way you want it. Here is a little screen shot of the CU logo, being worked on in a chunky low-res way to streamline my work flow.

As you can see, the colors I separated into layers before are now separately editable objects that I can change depth, color, and texture for. This allows the black portions to pop out of the gold portions, and allows me to add a beveled edge to the gold portion only.  Here is a screen shot of the materials selection menu, it allows you to select the material your object is made from. I chose a high-gloss color scheme, although you could choose any color and any level of gloss. 3D invigorator also supports transparent or semi-transparent objects.

For my spinning logo, I merely put the object on a timeline and added a rotation of 359 degrees. In order to make the spinning look seamless, you have to get rid of that 360th degree or else the logo appears to stall or stutter. Since 0 degrees is equal to 360 degrees, it makes sence to eliminate the 360th degree when you want a logo to spin cleanly from 359 degrees back to 0. I know it is knit picky, but it really makes a difference in the final product.

Once I rendered out one full rotation of the logo, I was ready to place it in the other compositions. I wanted this spinning logo to essentially take the place of a transition, flying in from in front of the ‘camera’ and exiting right back to where it came from. This allowed me to change compositions cleanly and link them together with a unique and eye catching graphic. In a football game senerio, this would also be important as a transition from an instant replay or other graphic.

After a final render, I accumulated all the clips into a central file and added a sound track. In this case it was “Velvet Snow” by the Kings of Leon. I picked that song simply because it was the lightest and happiest song that I had on my computer that fit the two minute composition length. Works great and sets the mood.

I hope this overview has helped you understand the process I went though. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comment section directly below each post or email me at grant.mcgilvray@colorado.edu