Need some insight on painting with multiple layers

[Chris Northcross]

I've posted on this previously, but I'm obviously not doing something that I should be. I like to use multiple layers when I'm trying to figure out my paint styles. The blending modes create some pretty cool looking paintings. What I've tried to do but haven't met with much success is animate my paintings. For that to work--as I see it--I need to create a Paint Action Sequence that will paint on multiple layers frame after frame. So far, all I've been able to re-create is an animation that paints to one layer. Maybe one of you can help steer my onto the right path. Here's what I'm doing. 1. I turn on Record PASeq. 2. I start out with one layer. Alpha is turned off and the view is set to ALL LAYERS. 3. I select a brush and start painting with auto assist. 4. Once I've got the look I want, I create a new layer, and set the blending mode to MIN. 5. I check to make sure I'm working on the new layer, select a new brush and again paint with auto assist. 6. Turn Off Record PASeq. I then export the PASeq, close SA and restart it. Once its re-started, I select the source movie I used previously, call up the PASeq in the presets menu and hit action. The PASeq begins painting, but it doesn't create a second layer once it gets to the step that calls for it to paint on a second layer. That's it. Does anyone have any suggestions? Merry Christmas!

[Thorrific]

Hi Chris

I don't have any problem with the layers,

Make sure your preferences are configured correctly, especially the PASeq layer tracking prefs. Please see the 3 attached screenshots.

You shouldn't have to close SA & restart it, might save you some time.

Hope this helps,

Thor

[Chris Northcross]

Hey Thor,
I see a couple of things from your screen grabs that I wasn't incorporating: source keyframes and layer and mask tracking.

I'm going to give this a try. Thanks for your help!

[Chris Northcross]

So that worked like a charm Thor. My only question now is how to keep the blending mode the same (or is that even possible)?

What I've done so far is to build the PASeq for the bottom most layer and then create a second layer. All I'm using the second layer for is to blend the source image over the bottom layer. Works fine when I'm just playing back andwriting to a movie stream. I'm finding that when I delete all layers and start from scratch, the blending mode information doesn't carry over. (i.e. all I see is the source layer at full opacity loaded into the second layer)

I'm sure I could play around with the fixed image operation and just add it to the bottom layer to get this particular effect but I'd like to try using three or four layers for some of the ideas I have, Don't think that that particular technique would work.

Any ideas?


What I've done so far is to create my new layer,

[Victor Ingrassia]

this might not be the most elegant or simple way to accomplish what you need... but here's a thought. when you have the layers set up the way you want (including the layer composite settings), do a "File/ Save Session As". Then when you need to invoke that particular layer combo you just do a "File/ Open Session" and select that particular session file... this should set it all up the way things were when you saved the session. It can be helpful to name the session with a name that relates to the particular project or paseq you are using it for. hope this answers what what you are asking.

also, sometimes I record extra info about what session a given paseq uses by "option clicking" the "?" icon next to the paseq name in the upper part of the paseq operation area, to remind me what goes with what. the only issue with this method is if you make a new paseq for use with that session you will need to re-enter the "?" info for the new paseq. but you can copy and paste from one "?" area to the next... so that can help.

[Synthetik]

I usually save a session to recall the layer settings as Victor suggests. Version 4 is smarter about recording and saving all of the layer specific information for each PASeq action step, but you need to be more proactive in 3.5 about resetting that information when you play back the PASeq using multiple layers at a later date.

[Chris Northcross]

Thanks for all the input guys. Don't know that I would have come across that on my own. Its good to know though. Allows me to approach working on these as I would an edit in Final Cut Pro or After Effects. I don't always practice the best project management discipline and I think this is just the outlet that will help change that.