Nudging layers on the Z axis

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Gosh
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Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 12:22 am

Nudging layers on the Z axis

Post by Gosh »

Hi
I am very new to ASP (actually I'm still in trial mode on ASP 10, but on the verge of getting my copy of 11)
I have a question regarding depth, or the Z plane: is it possible to nudge a layer from one layer group (or folder maybe is more correct) so that it will be seen above a higher layer group?
Maybe I can make an example of what I mean: say I have two rigged characters. I want the arm of the character on the lower layer group to point his arm out in such a way that it is seen jotting above the character who's on a higher level in the Layer Window. In other words, it possible to nudge beyond (or below) the character's position in the Layer Window?
As far as I can see, this can be done only within the same layer group, meaning I could nudge the arm but only as far as the group would allow and not beyond, but I may be wrong (and, in case not I'm wondering if this might have changed in ASP 1).

I hope I posed my question clearly, thanks!
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Greenlaw
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Re: Nudging layers on the Z axis

Post by Greenlaw »

I just make a duplicate of the character and place it in front of the layers I need it to occlude. Then I just hide and show the appropriate elements on the frame where I need the transition. For example, char A's body arm is behind char B in frame 49; in frame 50, I hide char A's hand and arm in the original rig, and show his hand and arm in the duplicate in front of char B. Easy peasy.

If you need to maintain the layering in the original, like keeping the upper arm behind char A's behind his body, while the lower part of the arm is in front of char B, use masking or the cropping tool to split the upper arm. If you let it overlap slightly, it will appear seamless.

The new Reference Layer system also helps me make animations changes a little easier too--no more copying and pasting keys from the original to the dupe. So long as I 'm animating the original, the dupe will stay in sync.

G.
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