Hello everyone,
is there a tutorial of how to create the 3D Parallax Effect as used in some of the demo videos of fotomagico? I would love to see how that works!
Thank you in advance
Thanks for your interest in FotoMagico!
The 2 1/2 D effect is accomplished by having two images on top of each other: one image is the background and therefore the bottom layer in FotoMagico, while the other image contains the part that should stand out and will be placed on top. The specialty of the top layer image is that it is transparent around the object that should be in front. Now you can use the animation in FotoMagico to move the background horizontally to one side and the top layer to the other. If you stack multiple layers on top of each other, you need to move each layer a bit faster than the one below it.
A nice feature in FotoMagico is the AI filter to remove the background from individuals (Options → Image → Effects → Background Removal). This way, you will get a transparent image within FotoMagico without the need for third-party software.
If you use the same image for the background as you do for the foreground, I would recommend making the background image slightly smaller and ensuring that the top layer always overlaps the same objects on the background. Otherwise, you will get an echo effect on the edges of the objects.
You may also download the demo slideshows for FotoMagico in the New Document window to have a look at those slideshows and see how it is done.
Does this work for you?
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Thank you for the step by step guide. I think that should work. Of course it would be easier to recreate the effect by watching a tutorial… if you know any YouTube video or tutorial where this effect is shown in FotoMagico, please let me know!
Thanks
I don’t know your background in image manipulation software, but I just wanted to add (in case you don’t know) that when Achim says the upper layer is “transparent” that should immediately indicate that it’s a .png file, where transparency is maintained – unlike a regular .jpeg file where the background would become “white” (or any other color you would assign in your photo software). The built-in Background Removal tool in FotoMagico will probably do the trick in most cases, but your own special needs may dictate how intricate the removal needs to be.
Another thing to notice, as Achim pointed out, is that the background image should be slightly smaller if you’re using the same image for both layers. What has happened to me in trying to do this is that when I go through my images I find one that the 2-1/2 D effect might create some visual action, but I didn’t realize when I originally took the shot that I didn’t think about that (and now here I am at home and my shots were taken half way around the world!!). It’s really great if you can forsee that when you originally take the shot – take on picture WITH the foreground, like people or an object or whatever, and then remember to take the same picture with NOTHING in the foreground. It then becomes really easy to overlay one over the other without worrying about that “echo effect” on the edges. I have had to go into some of my photos, remove the parts I don’t want, and then use Photoshop to fill-in what was removed for a slight overlap (which means creating stuff that wasn’t there, spreading out the background where the edges meet between foreground (with transparency) and background (which is not transparent).
When you do it a few times you start to get the knack for it – and it can make your presentations pop on screen if used wisely.
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Thank you for that useful hint. Once I figured out how to do it, I will probably make an YouTube Video for everyone who wants to learn to do this.
If you are already a pro, feel free to make a video for me 