Can camera follow a mask ?

[HamidSHS]

HI
I really wonder if camera can follow a mask path or no !
so is there any solution to do this in AE
Thanks

[Motionworks]

You can copy and paste the mask into the Camera Position property.

JD

[Dan]

You can copy and paste the mask into the Camera Position property.

JD

Could you just pickwhip the xyz from the mask to the camera?

Dan

[lowmankind]

Could you just pickwhip the xyz from the mask to the camera?

only one way to find out!

[3CardMonte]

are you asking if a camera can follow a moving MASK?
Or are you asking if the camera can follow a PATH in general that you draw yourself?

They're very different things, and they're both possible

[Dan]

if the camera can follow a PATH in general that you draw yourself?

i wouldnt mind knowing how to do that. Might be good for making a set path rather than animating a null.

Dan

[Glowing Amraam]

are you asking if a camera can follow a moving MASK?
Or are you asking if the camera can follow a PATH in general that you draw yourself?

They're very different things, and they're both possible

Wait, so i can pretty much draw a path using the mask, and have the camera fly along that path?? ... Sounds very interesting, and i didnt know about this.

In simple steps, how would one go about doing it?

[europa]

- Select the layer that has the mask in it and press M
- Click on Mask Shape and go Edit->Copy (CTRL+C)
- Select the camera layer and press P
- Click on Position and go Edit->Paste (CTRL+V)

That should do, if I'm not mistaken.

[cameronprudames]

http://www.dv.com/columns/columns_item. ... =181503684

[cameronprudames]

try this

http://library.creativecow.net/articles ... torial.php

then this

http://library.creativecow.net/articles ... torial.php

[HamidSHS]

Hi Every One
Thanks for all replies _Flower_
My question was : Is it possible that a camera follow the mask path ? means the positions value
I tested this : I copied the mask path.
Then pasted it in the position value of my camera.
But I just saw that my camera was going any where but where i wanted it to go
because the mask path is just 2D and my camera was 3D .
after all , i found those tutorials that our friend [ cameronprudames ] put here , use full .
once again : Thanks Every ONE
Bye

[cameronprudames]

Make the layer with the mask 3D.

[HamidSHS]

You mean I make the layer , 3D ?
OR make the ,MASK 3D
How do you make a 3d mask ?
Thanks

[UpNorthStudios]

You mean 3D layer?
OR 3D MASK
How do you make a 3d mask ?
Thanks

The layer.

[HamidSHS]

I made the layer , 3D
But also it didn't work !
Any comments ?!

[djeddy]

copy the mask shape and paste it to both your camera's position(p) and source point(a).

[Psycho-Designs]

I think the problem is that the camera's position is 3D while the mask is 2D [even if you turn the layer to 3D]..
try this:
draw the mask path on a solid
create a null [2D].. copy the path and paste it in the null's position
take your camera's position .. alt+click on the stop watch to get the expression editor..
use pickwhip to get the Null's X position as the camera's X.. same thing for the Y

let me know if it works

[HamidSHS]

copy the mask shape and paste it to both your camera's position(p) and source point(a).

Thanks
But
Also didn't work !

I think the problem is that the camera's position is 3D while the mask is 2D [even if you turn the layer to 3D]..
try this:
draw the mask path on a solid
create a null [2D].. copy the path and paste it in the null's position
take your camera's position .. alt+click on the stop watch to get the expression editor..
use pickwhip to get the Null's X position as the camera's X.. same thing for the Y

Hi
i tested that but also it didn't work !
When we set the Null Position [X] Value to the camera [X] value and do this for [Y] , it just affect the null object .
not on our camera !
I Think Andrew should Help right NOW ! [Hey ,Where are you man ?! ]
Thanks again

[Dan]

I Think Andrew should Help right NOW ! [Hey ,Where are you man ?! ]
Thanks again

He is a very busy man playing with helicopters.

Dan

[Psycho-Designs]

Hi
i tested that but also it didn't work !
When we set the Null Position [X] Value to the camera [X] value and do this for [Y] , it just affect the null object .
not on our camera !
I Think Andrew should Help right NOW ! [Hey ,Where are you man ?! ]
Thanks again

You did it backwards.. just do it the other way around

[3CardMonte]

Or you can skip linking individual values and straight up parent the camera to the null, right?

[Psycho-Designs]

probably.. you have to test it to be sure.. the whole 3D and 2D thing.. sorry I can't try it myself because I don't have AE on this machine I'm using right now.. I'm trying to guess off the top of my head

[djeddy]

hey man,

looking at your question you are trying to follow a mask path...with all the suggestions i've been seeing i'm noticing there isnt any mention about orienting the camera to follow the mask's path.

is this what you are referring to?

if so, here is how you do it:
copy mask shape.
select position and paste path.
select point of interest and paste path.
then select camera layer.
right click and select transform.
go to auto orient.
and when the auto orientation window pops up..select orient along path.

if you select a custom view, you can see the camera following the path like a camera dollies on a track.

hope this helps you.
good luck.
e.

[HamidSHS]

He is a very busy man playing with helicopters.

You did it backwards.. just do it the other way around

I tested it and still not work

Or you can skip linking individual values and straight up parent the camera to the null, right?

Yes
It's an other idea
let me test that ...
OK
I test that
When I Link the camera to the null object it moves the camera in a right way But it doesn't work for 3D Layers!

probably.. you have to test it to be sure..

Yes I tested That But...

orry I can't try it myself because I don't have AE on this machine I'm using right now.. I'm trying to guess off the top of my head

Thanks man !
No Problem

hey man,

looking at your question you are trying to follow a mask path...with all the suggestions i've been seeing i'm noticing there isnt any mention about orienting the camera to follow the mask's path.

is this what you are referring to?

if so, here is how you do it:
copy mask shape.
select position and paste path.
select point of interest and paste path.
then select camera layer.
right click and select transform.
go to auto orient.
and when the auto orientation window pops up..select orient along path.

if you select a custom view, you can see the camera following the path like a camera dollies on a track.

hope this helps you.
good luck.
e.

Hi
Thanks
But when I turn on the auto orient option along path , its hard to control the camera !
When the camera follow the mask path , Suddenly it rotates 180^ !
I This topic needs a video tutorial !
Thanks All

[Psycho-Designs]

I had a chance and tested it.. it pretty much works.. not sure if thats he effect you are looking for..

basically I drew the mask on the black layer.. pasted it into the position on the red null [I didn't use a real null because it was hard to see..
then I parented the camera to the red null..

file is attached [AE7]