Is there anyway to change the z value of a single point in a path?

[Lom1138]

For refrence I am trying to add elevation to my Formula 1 track map in after effects.  Here is a refrence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeSCW07p-CU) at 0:23, it's an older track map but the pricipal of warping the top track layer is the same.  I have searched for about a month and not found a solution, so if somebody could help I would be extremely grateful,

Thanks

[Mylenium · Accepted solution]

AE's layers are just flat planes, not deformable geometry. Any such thing will require the use of plugins like Freeform, Trapcode TAO and so on or a 3D program. In the specific case you may be able to use Cinema 4D Lite and import it vai Cineaware, but it's still a completely different approach than just adding a stroke to a layer via a mask or shape layer path.

Mylenium

[Lom1138]

Thanks for the response.

I have tried Freeform and it has not worked, but Trapcode TAO sounds intresting, how would that work?

[Mylenium]

For TAO you would simply create a reference motion path a Null or Light and let it trace it. Since those 3D itmes can have different height coordinates that already takes care of different elevations. The only issue may be that it will take time to eliminate kinks by fine-tuning the path, as any such algorithms are prone to producing errors on sharp turns or when the banking gets too steep...

Mylenium

[Lom1138]

Sounds all good.  Just quickly, how can I convert my current path to a null or light path?

[Mylenium]

Copy & paste your mask or shape path to the position property. Basic AE stuff.

Mylenium

[Lom1138]

Yes and no.

Yes in the fact that it works when I set it up.

But no in the fact of there being weird bugs in the line and it stuggling with elevation changes in small areas.

Apart from that, it works over larger distances.

[NZHA]

Im working on a similar project creating a 3D trail map using Geolayers 3 and FreeFormPro. How could you go about using Freeform to create a 3D path? I cant seem to find any videos on how to approach it