5

Canvas in 3D Mode
In addition to the traditional 2D project workspace, Motion provides a 3D workspace in
which to arrange and animate objects, including groups, layers, cameras, and lights. When
you switch to 3D mode, additional controls become available in the Canvas. A small set
of 3D View tools appears in the upper-right corner of the Canvas window, and a 3D
Compass appears in the lower-left corner. The upper-left corner of the Canvas contains
the Camera menu, where you can choose which camera to use to view the project in 3D
space.
Important: You must add at least one camera or light to your project to create a 3D
workspace.
To add a camera to your project
1 Click the New Camera button in the toolbar.
A dialog appears that prompts you to switch your 2D groups to 3D groups.
2 Click Switch to 3D to add a camera and create a 3D project.
If you click Keep as 2D, a camera is added to your project, but groups remain 2D groups.
To add a light to your project
1 Click the New Light button in the toolbar.
A dialog appears that prompts you to switch your 2D groups to 3D groups.
2 Click Switch to 3D to add the light and create a 3D project.
If you click Keep as 2D, a light is added to your project, but all groups remain 2D groups.
Lights have no effect in 2D projects.
Manipulating the 3D View
The 3D workspace provides tools for manually changing your view or viewing a scene
from a reference camera, such as Front, Back, Top, Bottom, and so on. You can also choose
to view the scene through any camera added to your project.
Note: The Left, Right, Top, and Bottom camera views are orthogonal views. You cannot
animate or export these views.
71Chapter 2 The Motion Interface