How to make an object appear from behind another

[AVMalcolm]

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere but if you could point me in the right direction...

How do I make an object, e.g. a sun, appear from behind a photo, so it rises above the horizon?

[thedom]

Hello Malcom,

I'm not able to explain but here is a quick project I just made that you can study.
I hope it helps.
I'm sure other users will be able to explain with usefull details if you need.

 

sun_Apr17-2020_23-02-03.zip

[Lin Evans]

Hi Malcolm,

As you may see in theDom's project, there are two necessities. First you need the object (sun, etc.) to be a png object with transparency. Second, to get the object to appear from behind the image, either the image in the background must have a part made transparent, or better, take the background image into PhotoShop or your favoriter image editor and select and "copy" the portion of the image you want the sun to rise from behind. You can paste the copied part over a transparent layer and trim it so suit the scene. Be sure to save the copy/paste portion as a PNG with transparency. Next the sun must be placed on the level above the background image but below the copied part which is placed and sized so that the background "appears" to be a single image.

This means you size and place the copied PNG righ over the same portion in the background image. Then with the sun behind this copy/paste portion it will be invisible until you animate it to "rise" and it will become visible as it rises from behind the PNG duplicate. 

If you have problems doing this, zip up your project and give us a link and we will show you how it's done.

Best regards,

Lin

[Lin Evans]

Malcolm,

Here is a brief tutorial to help you understand this process:

Best regards,

Lin

 

 

[AVMalcolm]

Hi Lin,

I'll take you up on your offer and send you a small project with the images I want to use.

Good wishes,

Malcolm

Moon rise demo.zip

[Lin Evans]

Here you are:

Best regards,

Lin

 

Moon rise demo sample.zip

[AVMalcolm]

Thank you Lin.  That is just how I visualised it.  I will try to replicate that in my AV.

[Lin Evans]

I just copied that portion of the background to hide the moon, but if you want to do it the "easy" way, just take the entire background image into Photoshop. Check the size and create your transparency the identical size and paste the entire image over the transparency. Next just use the eraser and erase all the sky and save as a png. Put this PNG over your background and it will be the identical size so there is no difficulty sizing it - just use the same zoom figures as the background and it will fit perfectly. Then you can move the moon virtually anywhere that the non-transparent part of the PNG hides and reveal it via the desired pan.

Best regards,

Lin

[AVMalcolm]

Thank you Lin and TheDom for your very prompt and detailed help.

I have successfully created the animation I wanted.