Maximum image size in AE

[kresimirk39695749]

Hi,

I'm creating my first ever map of a country in a 'super' high resolution. My goal was to have the height at 50,000 pixels, and width would probably end up as around 70,000 pixels. 

I created about 30% of the map, and when I went to test it in AE, I got an error: 

ChatGPT tells that the max size in AE is 30k x 30k pixels. Is this true? Is there any way around this?

Thanks,

[Rick Gerard]

All you have to do is break the map up into sections. The correct image design workflow for video is to create the artwork at a size that never has to be scaled above 100%, then break the image into smaller sections. I usually pick no more than two or three times the comp width. I once did a large map that covered about 80% of the globe, but it was broken up into sections that overlapped by about 1/8 of the comp width, and I just layered them. The project is easier to manage that way, and it's a lot easier to make small changes. 

I do the same for infographics. I even break up long camera tracking shots into multiple layers with multiple cameras and pre-comps. 

I hope this helps. There is no reason to deal with such large layers in a visual effects app.. 

[kresimirk39695749]

Gotcha thanks Rick! Felt like that will be the path, as GPT also suggested it. I need to draw frontlines (Ukraine) and zoom in and out with all (object path) layers being hooked up with each other, while it goes through time and all the front changes. I imagine that shouldn't be an issue?

I was able to whip hook my object path layer that represents the frontline to a single image and then it would all zoom together. But I am worried how that will behave if I have the core map cut up in 4-6 or so pieces.

Thanks!

[kresimirk39695749]

And just curious, what was the resolution of your map project?

[kresimirk39695749]

Rick could you please tell me what do you save your slices as? PSD, PSB, PNG, something else? My map came out as 73683x41447. So I can't even start an AE project for this. My original idea was to import 6 slices made out of it, and start a 4k project, and then just line those up and use zoom to achieve the animation I need. But of course, that has failed since it actually degrades the quality. So I am not sure what to do with the slices. Thanks

[Rick Gerard · Accepted solution]

You need to make the original map large enough that you never have to scale up the image more than about 120% to get the detail you need. Then, you create a grid over the map that is about two or three times your comp width. Saving each section as a PSD will allow you to isolate layers, but if you need the map, choose any image format that can match your comp's bit depth.

If I need to add graphics or text to a pixel-based image (map), I use Illustrator instead of Photoshop. If you embed images in the Illustrator file, follow the never scale more than about 125% rule.  It just takes planning. 

I should probably do a tutorial on the workflow. I have not seen a good one on the subject.

[kresimirk39695749]

Going from a relatively simple static 4k map video to ultra high res map camera video is a swap to biblical proportions work load wise. There are a hell lot of details that come up in each step and plenty of new issues to get stuck with - when doing it the first time.

One of the issues is that there's no dynamic scaling, at least in the way I'm setting it up (having all cities in the image itself, rather then adding them in AE). Roads, region borders, country borders, can not be seen when you're zoomed out fully due to such high res. So I'm making multiple layers on top of multiple layers to swap slices once camera zooms in. Etc, this is a hell of a project! Certainly will be amazing if I manage to put it all together.

I have to stick with PS (rather then Illustrator), I just can not take on learning 2 new apps for a project. I would be too newbie across apps then to feel like the project has any chance of a proper quality.

Thanks for your help!