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Make a character move across different backgrounds layers
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 12:11 am
by Rnoir
So I'm working on a short film and I need my character to walk across different depht levels on the background.
The screenshots illustrates basically what I want to achieve: I want the character to start from being behind the "Land 01" layer to end up being in front of it.
Any suggestions on how to do that?
From this (the character walks under the "Land 01" layer)
To this (the character ends up walking above the "Land 01" layer)

Re: Make a character move across different backgrounds layer
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 8:07 am
by jahnocli
Put both the character and Land01 in a group folder, and swap levels at the appropriate moment. Don't forget to bring up the Depth Sort tag in the Group folder, and check "Enable Animated Layer Order".
Re: Make a character move across different backgrounds layer
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 3:40 pm
by Rnoir
Well that was easy. Thank you, jahnocli!
Re: Make a character move across different backgrounds layer
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 7:09 pm
by Greenlaw
That looks very pretty by the way.

Re: Make a character move across different backgrounds layer
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:13 pm
by Gaston
Hi,
I have a question about that. I've a group layer and the 'Enable animated layer order' is turned on.
All my layers are inside the group layer. At picture 24, I want to change the order and drag up one level. But nothing changed.
At the group layer is a new 'layer ordering' symbol and there is a keyframe also. But again in the order of the layers has changed nothing.
Did I accidentally turn off a function?
Re: Make a character move across different backgrounds layer
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:58 pm
by Greenlaw
Is it possible that you're using Animated Layer Order inside an Action? That can override being able use this feature on the Mainline. Because of this, I tend to avoid using Animated Layer Order inside an Action. If I need to simulate this effect inside a Smart Bone Action, I might use a Reference layer/group and animate the visibility between the two layers/groups instead.
Another thing to check: Make sure Animated Layer Order is enabled for the group you're animating the layers in. In other words, the effect does not carry into nested groups, nor does it affect layers/groups outside of the group that has Animated Layer Order enabled.
Re: Make a character move across different backgrounds layer
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:00 am
by Gaston
Hi Greenlaw,
yes, there is a smart bone action for the bodyturn inside the bone group. Hmm, look at this tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GtdcZcu7Yg
I thought it was the right way.
Now, I've found a solution: The keyframe to change the layers was too late in the timeline of the bodyturn action.
I've pulled it further forward and now it's working.
Thank you!!