Animating 3D Objects

T-SBANIM-003-002

Animating a 3D object is very similar to animating a drawing layer. All you need to do is enable animation on the 3D object, then put it in different positions, angles and sizes at different frames. Transforming an animation-enabled 3D object will create a keyframe at the current frame, storing its transformation parameters in that frame, and its position, angle and size will be interpolated by Storyboard Pro on each frame between the keyframes you create.

  1. In the Timeline view, select the panel with the layer you want to animate.
  1. Move the Timeline cursor to the exact time where you want to create the first keyframe for your animation.
  1. In the Layer panel of the Stage or Camera view or in the Layers view, click on the Animate button of the layer you wish to animate.

The Animate button turns yellow and changes shape: .

In the Layer Animation track of the Timeline view, a keyframe is created at the current frame. This keyframe stores the position, angle and size of the layer at the current frame.

  1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Layer Transform tool.

In the Stage or Camera view, the controls of the Layer Transform tool appear around the selected 3D object.

  1. Using the 3D manipulator box, transform the 3D model so that it is in the position, angle and size you want it to be at the beginning of the animation:

    • To translate the model on the x-axis, click ad drag the red arrow.
    • To translate the model on the y-axis, click and drag the green arrow.
    • To translate the model on the z-axis, click and drag the blue arrow.
    • To translate the model laterally relative to your point of view, click and drag on its geometry.

    • To rotate the model on the x-axis, click and drag the red circle.
    • To rotate the model on the y-axis, click and drag the green circle.
    • To rotate the model on the z-axis, click and drag the blue circle.
    • To rotate the model in any direction, click and drag on its outer circle.

    • To scale the model on the x-axis, click and drag on the red square dot.
    • To scale the model on the y-axis, click and drag on the green square dot.
    • To scale the model on the z-axis, click and drag on the blue square dot.
    • To scale the model on all axes, click and drag on any vertex of the cube.
    TIP If you need to rotate or scale the 3D model from a specific pivot point, you can move the pivot point of the 3D model by clicking and dragging the pivot in the middle of the manipulator. The manipulator and its pivot will move, but not the model.
  1. In the Timeline view, move the cursor to the frame where you want to create your second keyframe.

  1. In the Stage or Camera view, use the 3D manipulator box to transform the 3D model so that it is in the position, angle and size you want it to be at the end of the animation.

    2. A keyframe is created at the current frame as soon as you make the first transformation.

  1. Move the timeline cursor back to the beginning of the panel.
  1. In the Playback toolbar, click on the Play button to preview the animation.
NOTE You can also use the Coordinate toolbar to enter values for the translation, scale and rotation values of a selected 3D object—see Coordinate Toolbar.