Some food for thought.
In 3d, it is possible to create a reflective surface using light and a nearby object.
So why not 2d?
The concept is this, the surface would be a vector shape, and when this effect is active, it could record in raster (or vector) whatever is nearby it, while play is on, and then be baked into the vector shape similarly to masking. It could function and be set up like the gradient system, or using coordinates and that's how far away the mirrored object could be in order to be picked up and recorded. It would also be a good idea to reflect effects by rendering, too.
I'm pitching this concept to anyone interested, if only i had this skills to make this...
Oh well...
That's all for now.
Script Idea: Reflective Mirror Camera
Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger
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PRIMAL MORON
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:22 am
Reflections in 3D is based on "actual" reflectivity. An object is reflected on a surface using either raytracing or some other method.
To achieve a reflection effect in AS the way you describe would probably be extremely difficult and time consuming (but not impossible) using the scripting interface. Right now the exact same effect can very easily be done using the existing features built into AS.
When I think of ideas for scripting I try to think how often the effect would be used or actually needed and, how much work would be involved to script it to determine the "ROI" (return on investment).
• How often do you need to have reflections in an animation?
(Use a technique like this too much and it can be distracting.)
• How long will it take to create the script and will the time savings times the number of times it will actually be used in a project compare to the time to develop?
• Is it really worth the hassle?
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A version of this script based entirely on using the actual layers in AS would require duplication of several layers and the creation of group/bone layers for masking. If the "reflected layer" is ALSO a complex rigged character layer then it gets even more complex. And if there is also other layers in different positions in the layer order that also need to be reflected more complications. Then there is the key frames of any motion of reflected layers, for example the bone motion and layer translations might have to be "reversed" etc etc etc... it all can get massively complex. Each situation or project requiring a reflection could and most likely would be entirely different. Setting up a "reflection" might be easier to accomplish if dealt with on a case by case basis.
Another much simpler option for the script would be to render/import/flip/mask. This could be done very easily with AS as it is with out the need for a script to do it. Just render out the animation and import it back in as a movie layer, flip it and translate into position and then mask to the reflective shape.
So, after giving this some thought, the "ROI" in my opinion doesn't actually justify the amount of work to do it. This is just my opinion of course, if someone else wants to try it then by all means go for it.
-vern
To achieve a reflection effect in AS the way you describe would probably be extremely difficult and time consuming (but not impossible) using the scripting interface. Right now the exact same effect can very easily be done using the existing features built into AS.
When I think of ideas for scripting I try to think how often the effect would be used or actually needed and, how much work would be involved to script it to determine the "ROI" (return on investment).
• How often do you need to have reflections in an animation?
(Use a technique like this too much and it can be distracting.)
• How long will it take to create the script and will the time savings times the number of times it will actually be used in a project compare to the time to develop?
• Is it really worth the hassle?
--------
A version of this script based entirely on using the actual layers in AS would require duplication of several layers and the creation of group/bone layers for masking. If the "reflected layer" is ALSO a complex rigged character layer then it gets even more complex. And if there is also other layers in different positions in the layer order that also need to be reflected more complications. Then there is the key frames of any motion of reflected layers, for example the bone motion and layer translations might have to be "reversed" etc etc etc... it all can get massively complex. Each situation or project requiring a reflection could and most likely would be entirely different. Setting up a "reflection" might be easier to accomplish if dealt with on a case by case basis.
Another much simpler option for the script would be to render/import/flip/mask. This could be done very easily with AS as it is with out the need for a script to do it. Just render out the animation and import it back in as a movie layer, flip it and translate into position and then mask to the reflective shape.
So, after giving this some thought, the "ROI" in my opinion doesn't actually justify the amount of work to do it. This is just my opinion of course, if someone else wants to try it then by all means go for it.
-vern