Adding a copyright to animations

[Anonymous]

I searched this forum on 'copyright' and found nothing useful. Perhaps it is in another forum?

We produce, as a sales tool, a CD-ROM that contains a 'flyaround' of the clients initial design model. (simple 4 camera path with renderings in between). The client thinks 'Cool - I want that' and we move onward.

I now need to add a 'copyright' symbol and text to each of these flyarounds. The text needs to be added from within ArchiCAD, can't be an outside source.

How do I add text to the top of an animation/flyaround and ensure that it is always on top of everything? I considered adding the text to the image we use as a background, but then when the model is rendered ontop of that portion of the background - gone goes that copyright.

Anyone have any ideas?

[TomWaltz]

In Archicad, I doubt it's possible.

Is there a reason you do not want to use a video editing program for it?

[Anonymous]

3D text perhaps, in the right positions and in a semi-transparent material?

[Anonymous]

TomWaltz wrote:
Is there a reason you do not want to use a video editing program for it?

Yes - we are using the outputted mpgs directly online. To have to open each one into a video editing program and then re-render the thing would not be worth it to management. So - instead, I have to find a way to get around it.

[Anonymous]

Marianna wrote:
3D text perhaps, in the right positions and in a semi-transparent material?

Perhaps, but then I would have to have the 3D text move with the camera.

[TomWaltz]

sirduncan wrote:

TomWaltz wrote:
Is there a reason you do not want to use a video editing program for it?

Yes - we are using the outputted mpgs directly online. To have to open each one into a video editing program and then re-render the thing would not be worth it to management. So - instead, I have to find a way to get around it.

So you're willing to re-render each of them in Archicad, but not add an overlay in a video editor?

I'm confused.

I've done this kind of thing in Final Cut to movies already completed in Archicad. It's not that hard, certainly easier than trying to get Archicad to do it.

[Anonymous]

TomWaltz wrote:
So you're willing to re-render each of them in Archicad, but not add an overlay in a video editor?

I'm confused.

No - when we finish a project (here going forward - not back), we need to render the flyaround and on that animation, the copyright needs to show up. They are dealing with the lack of copyright on past projects in a different way, but don't want future flyarounds to have the same problem.

[Dwight]

This posting does not offer a solution because even though the tools to put text in front of a rendering appear to be there, they aren't implemented.

It might get fixed in Archicad 11, but theoretically, the way to do this is in the photorendering settings where the Foreground Shader is assigned a scaled image - your copyright notice - and the area surrounding the text is masked out to reveal the rendering behind.

When Archicad 11 comes out, I'll advise as to whether this is implemented or not.

So close, yet so far away.

[Anonymous]

Well Dwight - Unknowingly, you answered my question and made it possible for now. Thank you. And for a matter of information for all those who are interested.....

I created an image with simply my copyright in white on a black background. I moved the text to the top of the image. I made the image the full size of my rendering/animation (in this case 600x400px)

I then, after adding the image to my libraries, went to the photorendering settings and set the foreground to 'Scaled Image'. Click on the 'File Name' line and use the 'Search' button to find the image that is now in my libraries. (the loading into the library can be skipped and done at this point too - just an FYI)

Then, after choosing the copyright image name from my loaded libraries, I ensure the 'Show Essential Only' checkbox is OFF. Then change the 'Coverage' option to 0.10. This just makes the image mostly transparent.

Then when I render an image or even an animation, the copyright is seen where I saved it in the original image. As seen in the attached image. It is unobtrusive, allowing the viewer to see what they are supposed to see, but also is visable for copyright issues. The copyright also stays on top of anything being rendered from the model.

As you stated, Dwight, the mask option does not seem to be working (why can I not use a transparent background on my copyright image, rather than deal with masks?) so by changing the Coverage to 0.10, I add a slight haze to the entire image. Just a little whiter than a normal image but I am willing to make that sacrifice for now.

I would guess that with some work and tweaking, I could probably clear out the 'whitewash' and make it a better image. But for my purposes, this solves my problem.

Thank you Dwight for bringing this option to my knowledge. Once again - the discussion boards saved the day. Thanks.

[Dwight]

Excellent!!
I abandoned that feature once i saw that the mask was not working - good for you to find a use for it!