The 3D object support in FCP X opens up a lot of new potential. This tutorial shows you how to create a fun hand drawn animation effect by tracing over an animated 3D object.
We use PaintX and a few other CoreMelt effects, to hand paint the animations , and include a sample Template to get you started if you haven't used the 3D objects before.
You can download the free 3D Basic Generator here. To install, just unzip it into your ~/Movies/Motion Templates/Generators folder.
TRANSCRIPT
INTRO
In our first tutorial on the new integrated 3D object capabilities in Final Cut Pro 10, we are going to use 3D objects to do some simple rotoscoping with PaintX. I have included a simple FCPX Generator template which comes with 3 models.
SETUP
You can download the template from the link below, then just unzip it into your user Movies > Motion Templates > Generators folder.
Add a background clip or generator to a new project, and then drag the “CX 3D Basic” generator above it on the timeline.
ANIMATE THE OBJECT
I have included a “Spin” behaviour, which will automatically rotate the cube around the vertical axis.
In the 3D Basic Generator properties in the Parameters panel, set “Spin Speed” to “60”.
For a bit more interest, twirl down the “OBJ Rotation” property and set a rotation of ‘30” on the X axis.
Now play it back and you see that the cube rotates from beginning to end.
You could also use keyframes on the rotation properties to animate the object manually.”
PAINT THE LINES
Now add the C2 PaintX > Masked Tracked Paint effect to our generator, and click Open Editor.
You will see your 3D object, and a black background, since the PaintX effect filter only shows the contents of the clip to which it’s applied.
In the upper corner, click the Filmstrip Icon to set it to frame-by-frame mode.
Select the paintbrush and choose your color, size and softness settings.
I will start by painting all of the outside edges for the entire clip, and then come back and paint the inside edges with a different shape on a different layer. This makes it much simpler to adjust paint strokes once finished.
Use the left-right arrow keys on your keyboard to step forward frame by frame, adding paint strokes at each frame. A graphics tablet is probably a good idea.
Another trick is to zoom far out to like 25% or less, so that each stroke is a shorter distance of the mouse. Obviously, if drawing over more detailed shapes, this may not work as well.
Once done, go back to the beginning of the clip, and change your stroke color, size and softness.
Step through the timeline again, adding strokes into this new layer.
Save and close the PaintX window.
With the 3D Basics Generator layer selected, in Clip Info Panel, change the Tracked Masked Paint options “Color From” and “Alpha From” to “Strokes Only”.
You can now add other visual or distortion effects to the paint strokes.
MORE PRACTISE
We can now do this again with a more complicated model.
In the 3D Basic Generator Parameters Panel, choose the “apple” object. Reset the OBJ Rotation X axis back to “0”, then adjust the OBJ Position on the Y axis, so it is centered more in the frame.
Add a new Masked Tracked Paint effect, and get to work!
But wait the fun isn’t over yet - if you have a pre-animated model you can use that as well.
Choose the “Bat” object and have a look!
SUMMARY
Adding the power of Coremelt PaintX and our free basic 3D template, we can play with some fun new 3D animation in Final Cut Pro 10. We demonstrated how to use simple 3D objects as reference for 2D hand drawn animation.
3D Model Copyright Info:
Apple by Mateus Schwaab, CC Attribution, bite modification by Jake Carvey
Bat by Dzimge, CC Attribution
Demolition Derby Car by Matthew (jeandiz), CC Attribution
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