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Using Help | Contents
The Local Axes mode aligns the axes to the surface of a particular 3D layer.
The World Axes mode aligns the axes to the absolute coordinates of the composition.
Regardless of the rotations you perform on a layer, the axes always represent 3D space
relative to the 3D world.
The View Axes mode aligns the axes to the view you have selected. For example, suppose
that a layer has been rotated and the view changed to a custom view. Any subsequent
transformation made to that layer while in View Axes mode happens along the axes corre-
sponding to the direction from which you are looking at the layer.
Note: The camera tools always adjust along the view's local axes, so their action will not
be affected by the axes modes.
To change Axes modes:
In the toolbox, select the mode you want to use.
Using lights
You can create lights that shine on other layers. Lights, by default, point at the center of
the composition, along a vector to a location called the point of interest. Choose among
four different types of lights and modify them with varying settings. Like other layers,
lights can be animated.
A. Point of interest B. Spotlight cone C. Light
To create a new light:
1 From the Timeline or Composition window, choose Layer > New > Light.
2 Choose settings according to the guidelines in "Understanding light settings" on
page 239, and click OK.
Understanding light settings
Use the guidelines below to adjust light options. All the options, except Casts Shadows,
can be animated.
Note: For a layer to show a shadow, you must turn on the Accepts Shadows layer material
option. See "Understanding 3D layer material options" on page 232 for more information.
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A B C
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3D Compositing
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