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ryan_dd
ryan_dd
Participating Frequently
May 18, 2017
Question

How can I fix a project that uses .pdf with clipping mask and is causing image jitter?

  • May 18, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 699 views

So I've read a few related channels on this topic and am looking now for a work around.

I have a project I have been working on for the past six weeks that uses many high resolution images.  Im using 3d and camera movements - so I figured when I noticed some image jitter, that it could be fixed with better render options.  I recently came to realize that the shaky images are the result of clipping masks created in sketch having issues with continuous raster in After Effects.  I was wondering if anyone knows a solution where I can make adjustments and replace footage rather than redoing a month and a half worth of work.

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

Dave_LaRonde
Dave_LaRonde
Inspiring
May 18, 2017

While scaling down a layer -- either by actually altering scale or movement in z-space -- things can get weird if portions of the image get below 1 or 2 pixels in size.  Hard edges look like they're shimmering when they're in motion. Thin lines disppear and re-appear. I suspect that's your problem.  The fix would require editing the original image.

    ryan_dd
    ryan_ddAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 19, 2017

    Thanks for the quick reply Dave!

    I was thinking about exporting higher resolution pngs and then scaling them down in the comp to avoid losing image quality during the camera movements?

    Because there are many complex animations already tied to the pdfs, I was wondering if there is any way to adjust the image in illustrator, export and then replace the footage in after effects in order to avoid re-animating all of the individual elements.

    Hope this makes sense, and again, I appreciate the quick reply.

    Sent from my iPhone

    Dave_LaRonde
    Dave_LaRonde
    Inspiring
    May 19, 2017

    You should be able to beef up thin lines by using AE's Edit Original command.  You wouldn't have to re-import and screw up existing work.  If your copy of the software is working as advertised, it ought to work.

    Note: you CAN NOT create any new layers as you go about your beefing-up work in Illustrator.  AE won't see them.

    Mylenium
    Mylenium
    Legend
    May 18, 2017

    Not sure what you are asking. You "fix" such stuff in your vector drawing program by editing the PDF and reorganizing the internal structure, dissolving unnecessary groups, compound paths and clipping masks and all that good stuff. Unless you totally mess it up, replacing layers in AE then would be no issue. Of course, truth be told, until this day I think Adobe has no handle on these things. Vector workflows in AE still suck and Illustrator is old and geriatric with lots of issues of its ow. That's why I try to avoid such stuff and prefer to build things natively in AE using huge pre-comps.

    Mylenium

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