Image Props without an Image ? (2D Silhouettes)

[zoomer 1,131]

Is there any way to use 2D Polygons like Resource's as "People-Outline & Filled-2D.vwx"
in the same way as Image Props ?

So that their Z-Rotation makes them always look at cameras ?
(Like C4D's "look at camera constraint" Tag)

Image Props are nice for trees and plants but I want to avoid an extra Material for each
Silhouette, which all should be just black with 15% Transparency.

 

If not I would wish to be able to do so.

[PVA - Jim 2,395]

Request submitted.

VE-36220

VE-96888

[Kevin McAllister 1,166]

I would love an auto-orient feature. All my figures are NURBS surface silhouettes with a translucent texture. I also use them in C4D.

Kevin

[PVA - Jim 2,395]

The only way I've seen is to take a screenshot of the polygon(s) and use that image for the prop.

[Tom Klaber 741]

We use our photoshop silhouette people as image props all the time.  Rather than screen shotting, I would create what you want - PDF export - Photoshop import for clean up - and sizing - then VW import the resulting image as image prop.  Less work than it sounds. 

[zoomer 1,131]

Putting these in screen plane mode does not help much
I can convert those Sihouettes to 3D polys and align them vertically.
But would have to re-rotate them after each shot

I am just missing that "auto orient" checkbox from the image Props
(without the image procedure)

 

[rDesign 479]

@zoomer- attached is a v2016 file with two Image Prop silhouette people in it. They do rely on Renderworks textures for their color and opacity, but they always face the camera and they cast shadows in 3d views, which is important to me. Their opacity is controlled by adjusting the opacity in the texture's image mask.

Having the extra Renderworks textures for each person doesn't bother so much — maybe in Vw2017 we'll be able to organize them in a folder so that you don't have to see them.

I agree with you that we should be able to create Image Props from filled 2d outlines (which can also be easily done in SketchUp). You should create a wishlist item for it.

people_3d.vwx

Edited September 9, 2016 by rDesign

[zoomer 1,131]

Yes, Image Props are cool and easy.
Just in this case I would prefer Meshes only as I use these in C4D too and have
problems to control Materials after exchange anyway (for now)

Will set my Silhouettes there, or "auto orient" the unwilling Meshes there.
(As my cameras still jump away when I try to activate them anyway (for now)

 

So I see this as a wish list item.
Just wanted to ask before if someone had an idea that it already works somehow.

Edited September 9, 2016 by zoomer

[Tom Klaber 741]

Oh - you want an image prop TOOL that would allow you to sketch image props right in the program.  I see.  What is your use case?  What are you trying to create?

[zoomer 1,131]

Hmmh, I thought of modifying or cleaaning down the Image Prob tool to just ask for a 2D mesh,
convert to 3D if necessary, rotatite it upwards and apply the "auto orient" feature,
like it does with the current image mapped plane.

Maybe we just have to wait until Alan comes with a Marionette Assembly ...

[rDesign 479]

@JimW- I think this thread should be moved to the Wish List. Thanks.

[zoomer 1,131]

1 hour ago, JimW said:

Request submitted.

VE-36220

VE-96888

Cool 

I'm looking forward what users (like Digital Mechanics) would do with that.
(Making their 3D People, Excavators and 3D Dimensions aligned to Cameras ....)