making a 2d psd into 3d without distortion

lordybob

lordybob

Well-known member
Hello there. I have a problem. The companies designer made a 2d image of their circular logo and they want it to be a rotating 3d version for their TV show. I am having problems trying to get the same un distorted logo (the black bits) onto a 3d (cc sphere) operation in after effects. Does anyone know how I can stretch the image in photoshop so that it will look the same as the 2d stretched sphere?

Here is a link to the logo. http://picasaweb.google.com/bobindustry/GlobesGreatest02/photo#5211596728159695234

P.S. The uploaded logo went blue! when i say the black area, its the white area in the middle of the blue.

Thanks in advance.

Isaac.
 
I'm not exactly clear on what you're trying to do. A 2d object placed on a sphere will distort. I think trying to pre-distort the 2d object in order to compensate for the sphere's distortion will turn the whole thing into one big ugly mess.

The biggest problem is that the 2D logo has a lighting effect applied. Once the logo is in After Effects CC sphere creates the illusion of depth with lighting. This means your starting point needs to be flat art with no lighting effects.

Start by creating a new doc in PS the same size as your AE comp. Isolate the logo element - the little thingy that looks like 2 P's back to back with a crown. There's enough contrast there it should be relatively easy in PS. Then place this element over a flat solid background. The color of the background will be from the logo of course (teal, aqua, whatever color that is). Basically you're eliminating the circle and the lighting effect of the 2D artwork. Bring this modified element into AE and animate with CC Sphere. Tweak the cc sphere's lighting settings to match the original as close as possible.
 
I have created a new psd with solid color and the logo bit. But what I really wanted to know is this. As you can see the 2d logo mimics a 3d sphere. Now, imagine if that sphere was created in After effects using cc sphere and a psd file with the logo and solid color. What you see is a 'wrapped' version of the logo because it has been put onto a sphere. My problem lies with un wrapping the logo so that I can create a psd that will have the same look and size to that of the logo when I put it into after effects.
 
lordybob said:
As you can see the 2d logo mimics a 3d sphere.
Click to expand...
While the blue grad does imply a globe, the logo mark itself appears very flat (2D). The strong parallel lines don't distort suggesting a flat image. What I'm saying here is that you're trying to cheat physics - wrapping a 2D image around a 3D object without distortion.

That said, I fooled around with it a little. Optics compensation with reverse lens distortion checked get's you part of the way there. But as you can see the crown turns into a mess. And the feet are wonky. Maybe somebody else has a better solution for cheating physics.

1213537090.jpg
 
In a 3d program, you'de have to use a planer (Y,U,V) map to place the logo FLAT onto the sphear - not wrap it around.

- Mikko
 
wow thats a really big help! I'll make sure your name is in the credits if you like.

Will keep ya updated!
 
I dunno man, none of this seems like the right way to go. Honestly, you could do a lot with optics compensation, bulge all that stuff, to try and cheat a 3D Sphere in 2D - but... it's a sphere. It's like the most basic 3D shape out there.

I'd bust into any 3D program, C4D, Maya, Max, LW, or Blender (which is Free, I think) and make a sphere. Bust in your 2D image and use it as a template to draw Splines of the logo shape, then project those splines through the sphere, actually cutting out the letters in the sphere - all the way through the sphere. Rather than mapping the logo on the sphere, which will distort it and look tacky.

Then, make a nice blue glass shader and apply, toss in a few lights, maybe even an HDRI image on a larger sphere for some nice reflection mapping, spin the sphere, and you have a kick ass 3D sphere logo.

It's pretty basic for any 3D artist - but that is what they are really asking for, rotating sphere = 3D, not 2D.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top