WEEK 4: Sep 22, 2011

3D Layers:

• To turn a layer into a 3d layer, turn on the box with the cube symbol (to the right of the layer name)
• 3D layers have an extra dimension added to the transform properties (Z =  depth)
• When changing position: 
• negative numbers move the layer towards the "camera"
• positive numbers move the layer away from the "camera"

When working with 3D layers, use camera options at the bottom of the composition window to view the scene from different angles
Note: Make sure to return the setting to your main camera before rendering

Cameras:

• To create a new camera, go to Layer > New > Camer
• To adjust camera settings (that appear in the intro menu), select the camera and go to Layer > Camera Settings
• Note: Only one camera will be active per scene (if you have more than one camera, the top camera layer will be the active one. You can activate a different camera by choosing it from the camera view options in the composition window or turning it on (eye symbol) while turning off all other cameras.
• Use Point of Interest and Position for most of your camera animations (do not set rotation keys)
• Point of Interest—orients the camera angle (acts like rotation)
• Position—moves the entire camera
• Use "Camera Options" to control Depth of Field and other lens-specific properties
• Note: Never animate Zoom  unless using it to keep the depth of field blurring constant while zooming in.

Lights:

• To create a new light, go to Layer > New > Light
• To adjust light settings, select the light and go to Layer > Light Settings
• Light types:
• Spot (most popular)—has the same controls as 3D cameras
• Parallel—has the Point of Interest control, allowing you to cast it in a certain direction without creating the same light fall-off as with the Spot light
• Point—allows you to change the position of the light source but does not have a particular direction or light fall-off
• Ambient—lights the entire scene evenly, allowing you to create base lighting (so that when you use a Spot light, you never have an entirely black area); Keep this light at very low intensity and always combine with another light-source
• Combine multiple light-sources for a more realistic, dimensional environment

Casting shadows:

• To cast shadows, select the light source(s) you want to cast the shadows and turn on the "CAst Shadows" option (off by default)
• Select the object that you want to cast shadows, go to Material Options and turn "Cast Shadows" on
• Make sure the object that will receive the shadow has "Receive Shadows" turned on in teh Material Options (on by default)

Material Options:

Use Material Options to control the way the object reacts to light sources in the scene (highlights, shadows, surface texture, etc)