Create Layers on Surfaces

In Storyboard, you can create a vector or bitmap drawing on the surface of a 3D model. The new layer will be positioned at the point in Z-depth on which you clicked and be positioned on the same plane of the 3D surface. In order to apply Create Layers on Surface, you will need to be in the Camera or Stage view.

Align Layer to Surface

The Align Layer to Surface mode will orient the 2D plane based on the geometry of the 3D model. In this mode the red crosshair and 12-Field Grid will reposition itself everytime it translates over a surface with a different orientation.

In the example below, the 12-Field Grid is aligned with the surface of the floor of the 3D model.

Align Layer to View

The Align Layer to View mode will always orient the plane to be parallel to the Camera view. If 3D models are on an angle or not parallel to the camera, the red crosshair and 12-Field Grid will be occluded by the model. This will show where the plane will intersect with the 3D model depending on the depth of the plane relative to the model.

In the example below, the camera has a slight tilt down. The 12-Field Grid is parallel to the camera and is tilted back along the X-axis towards the camera.

NOTE If the Camera is rotated along the z-axis, the Align Layer to View mode will not rotate with the camera.

Align Layer Vertically

The Align Layer Vertically will create an alignment that is perpendicular to the ground. It will appear perpendicular at a 90 degree angle relative to the ground of the 3D model. When the camera is reoriented, the 12-Field Grid will distort to match the perspective of the 3D model relative to the camera, based on its placement perpendicular to the floor.

In the example below, the 12-Field Grid is perpendicular to the floor of the 3D model. The grid is aligned with the perspective in the model.

Note that the 12-Field Grid is aligned with the poles on either side adapting to the perspective of the scene.

If 3D models are on an angle or not parallel to the camera, the red crosshair and 12-Field Grid will be occluded by the model. This will show where the plane will intersect with the 3D model depending on the depth of the plane relative to the model.

TIP The red crosshair and 12-Field Grid will always orient toward the camera.
TIP This is particularly useful for situating 2D drawings in a 3D set. The drawing layers can be created with a vertical orientation regardless of the current camera’s position. Character, vehicle and prop drawings can be placed in a 3D set and drawn in the context of the current view.
NOTE The x-axis value will always remain 0.