User Guide

CHAPTER 9
298
3D Compositing
Using Axes modes
Use the Axes modes to specify the set of axes for which the layer, light, or camera is being trans-
formed. You can transform a layer on either the local axes, the world axes, or the view axes.
The Local Axes mode aligns the axes to the surface of a particular 3D layer.
The World Axes mode aligns the axes to the absolute coordinates of the composition.
Regardless of the rotations you perform on a layer, the axes always represent 3D space
relative to the 3D world.
The View Axes mode aligns the axes to the view you have selected. For example, suppose
that a layer has been rotated and the view changed to a custom view. Any subsequent trans-
formation made to that layer while in View Axes mode happens along the axes corre-
sponding to the direction from which you are looking at the layer.
Note: The camera tools always adjust along the view’s local axes, so their action will not be
affected by the axes modes.
To change Axes modes:
In the toolbox, select the mode you want to use.
Using lights
You can create lights that shine on other layers. Lights, by default, point at the center of the
composition, along a vector to a location called the point of interest. Choose among four
different types of lights and modify them with varying settings. Like other layers, lights can
be animated.
UG.book Page 298 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM