Ok so I'd like to "cut" out the peace sign/insignia on Motion 5 to make to separate pictures per say. So one is "Rawkersinc." and the other is the symbol (Peace Sign) between the two words and I would like animate both. Is this possible?
It's for a forum and I'd like a little advice since this is my first time using Motion 5, especially with animation

It would have been easy enough to mask of the tittle and recreate the missing symbol sections from the top part that can be seen in full, but there's a problem with the grainy drop shadow on the title.

You could mask off the title and recreate the symbol and shadow in Motion. But even better, if you can get access to the source file you could probably get the separate layers.

Thanks Dave,
I just shot my friend an email regarding the source file, mainly because he made it.
Do you have any suggestions regarding to tutorials for separating the layers and masking?

That's a tricky one. I came to Motion from After Effects where I done a lot of rotoscoping work. So the masks in Motion, for me, was just a case of looking to see where the tools were and using them.

Perhaps someone who's seen more tutorial wise can offer something better, but a quick look and quick skim through this video seems to show the base to what you'd need.



Depending on what format the source file for the logo is, you may find it's a whole lot easier.

If you can get the original graphic file as layers, then you can work without masks, just manipulate each layer as you want.

I have a funny feeling if he can get it he's onto a winner. It could be a vector that wouldn't be as straight forward, but looking at logo close in, it does look like it's a simple layered file.

Ok so I got the picture:



So now I have 3 more questions:
1. How do I make it 3D?
2. How does one render it so it looks crystal clear?
3. It shows up as a .png so how would one find the layers?

-When I try to Transform the Z-Axis it won't make it longer (for what I thought gave it the "3D" effect)
-When I try to render it, the image is still grainy when I enlarge it, no matter if the setting is on "Full" and'or "Dynamic"

I really appreciate you guys helping me out. You have no idea.

Matt,

1. If you just want the flat image to move in a 3d space then you can do that. X, Y & Z indicate the axis. The X axis sits horizontally across the middle of the default viewer, the Y vertically and the Z runs away along your eye line. So if you rotate the Z axis it's like turning that axel you are looking along and you should see it move like a clock.

To rotate it in the way you want you need to rotate it around the X or Y axis.

2. It should look crystal clear as the original image is, but it's very small so I'm assuming your scaling it up and losing image quality.

3. PNG files don't have layers, I was expecting you would get the file that was used to create the logo. not an individual part exported as a flattened image. I.e. a PSD, an SVG or maybe even an AI file. These formats all have the layer information held within them. But they wont all be accessible in Motion.

On a similar note, I read that Motion 5 can have issues opening 16bit PSD files and flattening them. I've been running the trial version of pixelmator, which seems to do everything I need, and Motion opens it's PSD files flattened. Does anyone know if I can change this?

I think you need more than just the info you are asking. I would recommend a structured tutorial course. I always swore by lynda.com for Adobe/Avid tutorials, their Motion tutorials are every bit as well structured as everything else they do, they are really good, but from what I've seen it looks like Ripple Training could be a better choice in relation to Motion content wise.

Motion can import a layered graphic as flattened or as layers, depending on how you to it: flattened, all layers, specific layers.

http://help.apple.com/motion/mac/5.0/en/motion/usermanual/#chapter=6%26section=3%26hash=apple_ref:doc:uid:Motion-UserManual-90915BMP-1014319

PNG can be layered. I create layered PNG files all the time. But officially Motion supports layered PSD files.

You can make a Replicator out of that layer and set it to give depth if you want to angle it for a perspective shot and have "sides". Or mask the center circle and make it a Replicator to give it depth over the wing parts. Lots you could do there depending on what look you wanted.

Best quality Motion training is Ripple Training or macProVideo, I think the lynda.com Motion training is not quite up to either of those.

How do you go about opening the PSD and assuring getting the layers?

Never mind, I always Import from the Inspector, just tried improting from the FIle menu and can see, thanks anyway.

Drag it over the layers pane, hold for a second, a menu pops up with your options.

That's better than the file menu, thanks.

I've been doing a bit of reading into how PNG can save as layers. All I can find, currently, relates to Adobe Fireworks and that it's not a standard PNG file. Either way, I'm assuming Motion 5 won't open them anyway, if you've created them could you confirm/dispel this?

I've created layered PNGs with Photoshop that work in Motion before. Normally I save as PSD so I know it's layered, and non-layered as PNG, just to help me stay organized. But it can work.