Distributing Elements on the Z-Axis

Now is the time to distribute the layers composing your multiplane along the Z-axis, maintaining their distance. You can position your layers on the Z-axis in the Side and Top view.

Positioning your element toward the camera will make your element bigger. Using the Maintain Size tool, you will be able to drag your element toward the camera while keeping the same size aspect in the Camera view. This tool is available in the Advanced Animation toolbar.

It is a good idea to keep a Camera view opened to see what your scene looks like while positioning your element in the Top or Side view.

Positioning Elements in the Top and Side Views

To be able to distribute the layers along the Z-axis using the Top and Side views, disable the No Z Dragging option by selecting Animation > No Z Dragging.

To position your element in the Top and Side views:

1. In the Advanced Animation toolbar, click the Maintain Size tool or press [Alt] + [6].
2. In the Side view, select one of the layers in the thumbnails section of the Top or Side view. You can also select your layer from the Timeline view.

The selected layer will be highlighted in the camera cone.

3. Click and drag the layer to the correct depth position in the camera cone. Your element aspect will remain the same in the Camera view.

4. In the Tools toolbar, click the Transform tool, or select the Translate tool in the Advanced Animation toolbar and select a layer from the thumbnails section of the Top or Side view. You can also select your layer from the Timeline view.
If you choose the Transform tool, make sure that the Peg Selection Mode option is disabled in the Transform tool's Tool Properties view.

The selected layer will be highlighted in the camera cone.

5. In the Top view, drag the element sideways to position horizontally. You can press and hold [Shift] while dragging the element to make sure it only moves along the X-axis.
6. In the Side view, drag the selected element up or down to position it vertically. You can press and hold [Shift] while dragging the element to make sure it only moves along the Y-axis.

Related Topics 

Creating a Multiplane
Top View and Side View
Perspective View
Setting Up the Multiplane