10. Manipulating Objects in 3D
The 3D environment of Motion allows you to manipulate objects or groups along three axes: X, Y, and Z. And like most elements in Motion, if you can manipulate it, you can animate it. Objects and groups may be animated in 3D space using behaviors or keyframes.
2D Layering vs. 3D Positioning
Although you can switch between the 2D and 3D Transform tools to adjust an object or group’s position, the group’s 2D or 3D status influences the composition. Always remember that in Motion 2D groups (and the objects contained within them) do not intersect with 3D groups or 3D groups’ objects.
In this example, all the groups are set to 2D.
In this example, a mixture of 2D and 3D groups coexist.
In this example, all groups are 3D.
Using the 3D Transform Tool in the Canvas
Using the 3D Transform tool in the Canvas, you can scale, position, and rotate an object in 3D space. These adjustments can be keyframed, which allows for precise, custom animation movement.
Tip
The 3D Transform tool can also be used with 2D groups, but all objects in the group will occupy the same plane and will not intersect unless switched to 3D.
- In the Layers tab, click a group’s 2D/3D status icon to switch that group to 3D, and then select the group or an object within the group.
- From the Toolbar, choose the 3D Transform tool, or press the Q key.
- Adjust the selected layer using the controls in the Canvas.
Note
Just as with the Select/Transform tool, you can drag an object to freely position it along the X and Y axes.
Note
By default, these adjustments are made according to the object’s axes. Motion also allows you to adjust an object based on the world’s or the current view’s axes. See the next section for information on changing the Adjust Around parameter in the HUD.
Using the 3D Transform Tool in the HUD
When an object or group is selected and the 3D Transform tool is chosen, you can alternatively adjust the layer in the HUD. Drag directly on the Move, Rotate, and Scale controls in the HUD to adjust the layer.
Tip
When using the HUD’s 3D Transform tools, hold down the Shift key to make larger changes and hold down the Option key to make smaller changes. These keys also work in the Inspector when changing the Position, Rotation, and Scale parameters.
3D Behaviors
Some behaviors in Motion have controls that affect an object along three axes. Here are a few examples:
Throw
Spin
Attracted To
