Distribution Assistants: Planar Assistant

Planar Assistant distributing layers in a straight line on the X, Y or Z-axis of a composition, much like Linear Assistant. Planar has the added capability to distribute layers on a two-dimensional plane.

How it Works: Select the 3D layers in your composition that you wish to distribute on a plane, and go to Window> Planar Assistant.

Plane Dimensions

Defines the dimensions (or size) of the plane onto which your layers will be distributed. The size limit of the plane is 1000000 x 1000000. Not that we really expect you to use that size space but hey, who are we to limit you? Note that Planar Distribution has X and Y axis dimensions but not a Z axis.

Starting Value

The point in 3D space where Planar Assistant will begin distributing your layers.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Distribute Randomly checkbox

If this checkbox is selected, Planar Assistant takes all the layers and positions them randomly within the selected area.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Distance group

Distance determines how far apart the layers will be distributed along the plane. These parameters behave similar to Distance in Cubic Distribution and Linear Assistant, except Planar Assistant can distribute layers in two dimensions.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Layers Orientation group

Determines what axis the layers are oriented around.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Plane Orientation buttons

Determines the orientation of the plane onto which you are distributing your layers. When arranging layers on a plane, all the layers have the same value for one of their axes. For example, when placed on the XY plane, the layers all have the same Z position.

Whichever axis is not in the name of the plane, that is the axis that all the layers share the same value for. Note that the orientation of your layers can be different from the orientation of the plane.

Green grid is XY plane, red grid is YZ plane, and white grid is XZ plane.

Insert Keys

Three checkboxes that specify which layer properties will have a keyframe set for them: Position, Rotation and/or Scale.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Options> Scale Layers to Fit

Scales down any layers that are bigger than the size of the plane to fit within it. Otherwise, layers are allowed to extend beyond the boundaries of the plane, as long as their center is within the plane.

Options> Random Layer Selection

Options> Use Comp Center

Options> Reverse Layers Order

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters