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scythron33
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Individual 3D Layers

Sep 4, 2012 12:40 PM

I have "Sweet On You" spelled out in 3D with each letter having its own layer. Can I render the individual 3D layers together or do I have to do them separately? What should the letters look like after they're rendered? When I render them individually, the previously rendered letter turns white.

527 Views   10 Replies   Latest reply: SG..., Sep 4, 2012 4:12 PM
 
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  • conroy
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    1. conroy,
    Sep 4, 2012 1:01 PM   in reply to scythron33
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    Target all of the 3D layers in Layers panel and press Cmd+E to merge into one 3D layer.

     
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  • scythron33
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    2. scythron33,
    Sep 4, 2012 1:42 PM   in reply to conroy
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    Hi, Conroy2009, thanks for the reply. When I merge the 3D layers, it won't let me render the one layer.

     
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  • SG...
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    3. SG...,
    Sep 4, 2012 1:49 PM   in reply to scythron33
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    Hi,

     

    When you say it won't let you render, is the menu option inactive? If so make sure you have only 3D layers selected before merging (Cmd+E will rasterize a 3D layer mixed with a non-3D layer).

     

    regards,

    steve

     
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  • conroy
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    4. conroy,
    Sep 4, 2012 1:50 PM   in reply to scythron33
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    Hmmm... it does for me, so I guess there's another detail to consider. When you say "it won't let me render the one layer" what exactly do you mean? For example, does the computer beep, or is there an error message, or... ?

     
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  • SG...
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    5. SG...,
    Sep 4, 2012 2:07 PM   in reply to conroy
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    Hi,

     

    Another way to approach this for future projects is to type all the characters as a single line/block of text. Then extrude to a single layer, and go to 3D> Split Extrusion. There are plus/minus to each method.

     

    regards,

    steve

     
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  • conroy
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    6. conroy,
    Sep 4, 2012 2:13 PM   in reply to SG...
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    Hi Steve,

     

    Yes, I would do what you suggest. When I said that it worked for me, I meant merging 3D layers in general, not specifically 3D type, then rendering the one layer.

     
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  • scythron33
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    7. scythron33,
    Sep 4, 2012 2:26 PM   in reply to SG...
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    Hi Steve

     

    At first the "Render" menu option was inactive, but then I did what you said and made sure only 3D layers were selected before merging. After I merge, the letters transformed into one single 3D layer with jumpled letters (all "S's"), however, it does let me render it now.

     

    Thanks,

    Jeff

     
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  • SG...
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    8. SG...,
    Sep 4, 2012 2:28 PM   in reply to conroy
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    Hi,

     

    I think you suggestion was spot on. My guess is that a non-3D layer was included in the layers selection by mistake.

     

    I just added the other method in case the OP wasn't aware of the Split Extrusion command. Depending on the amount and style of letters, and how much individual character movement will be done, creating as one block extrusion and splitting can be less cumbersome (other times, not).

     

    regards,

    steve

     
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  • SG...
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    9. SG...,
    Sep 4, 2012 4:01 PM   in reply to scythron33
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    Hi Jeff,

     

    Good to hear you have that working. When 3D layers merge, the bottom layer in the stack is used for lighting, camera view, and environment properties (the other layers information is overwritten).

     

    To unjumble the characters after merging, you can multi-select the meshes in the 3D panel and then use the Align/Distribute tools up in the Tool options bar (Move tool selected). You can also try to control before merging by placing each character relative to the axis location in a 'Top' view.

     

    regards,

    steve

     
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  • SG...
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    10. SG...,
    Sep 4, 2012 4:12 PM   in reply to SG...
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    Hi,

     

    I forgot to mention in the earlier posts, the biggest downside (IMO) to Split Extrusion is that the linkage back to Edit Source gets removed. You still have access to change color attributes but lose the ability to modify character and paragraph attributes, as well as actual characters.

     

    regards,

    steve

     
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