At the very beginning when we tested the Boris Graffiti plugin, we noticed that it was impossible to use one feature mentionned by the user manual: it is impossible to map an image onto a 3D text extrusion because Studio does not support this feature. I told myself that one solution should exist.... Here it is ! For more information, please see our old news "Missing functionality in Boris Graffiti plugin for Studio".

So I will explain how to map an image onto a 3D text extrusion, ie the face of the 3D characters will be filled with the pixels of the selected image.

Step 1 : Project preparation in Studio

To begin, you open Studio and you proceed step by step as follows :

• Drag the seventh clip of "OurFunVacation.mpg" on the timeline;
• You notice that the video format is 16/9;
• Drag an 16/9 format image on the "Title" track. If your image is not 16/9, you have two vertical black bands on both sides of the screen and you will have some problems when mapping your 3Dtext... (You can also right click on the 4/3 image placed on the timeline and choose "Zoom picture to fill frame.)

Your timeline in Studio should look like this :

Then you need to add an effect Boris Graffiti on the image inserted on the "Title" track :

• Open the video toolbox;
• Add a video effect, namely Boris FX/Boris Graffiti;
• Edit Boris Graffiti;
• Select immediatly (advanced mode).

Step 2 : Effect creation in Boris Graffiti

In advanced mode, in Boris Graffiti, you should see this, in the time window :

These are the tracks by default of any Boris Graffiti effect : track "Background" which supports video and track "Text" which supports text. By default, the track "Text" has a track shape "3DPlane" (Observe the icon of this track). Using the mouse, you change the track shape "3DPlane" to replace it by a track shape "3DExtrusion".

Your text track has now a track shape "3DExtrusion" (Observe the icon of this track).

You'll now be able to enter your 3D text :

• Having developed the main "Text" track, select the sub-track "Text". Double clicking on this track will open the "Text Window" where you can enter your text;
• You reset the parameters of current style. You click the "Reset Style" button which will produce a partial reset style (style, shade, color...);
• You enter your text with a basic police and a font large enough. You see, here I have chosen "Arial Black" in 168;
• You click the "Update" button and your text is now in the "Composite" window over your image inserted on the "Title" track of Studio;

You notice that the track "Text" has been renamed by Boris Graffiti with typed text. You select the track and the "Controls" window will display some tabs. You select the "Textures" tab to set the texture of your text.

Nota : You will note in passing the parameter "Map Method". Currently, the method "Clip" is selected. But clicking the "Clip" button, you can choose two other methods of mapping : "Stretch" and "Tile".

• "Clip" applies texture without adjustment on the face of the text (as would do a stamp);
• "Stretch" automatically adjusts the texture to the face of the text;
• "Tile" automatically repeats the texture on the face of the text.

You can have fun changing the different settings to see the impact in the window "Composite". This time we let the "Map Method" to "Clip".

You select the 4 check boxes "FR" (Front), "EX" (Extrusion), "BV" (Bevel) and "BK" (Back). You will notice that every time you check a box, the corresponding track is automatically added in the time window. The 4 tracks created automatically support default media "V1", ie the image or video which is applied to the effect (in this case, our photo inserted on the "Title" of Studio). This explains the virtual disappearance of the text in the window "Composite". You only see the outline of the letters of the text since the letters are filled with pixels of the image that is below. But you will quickly resolve the problem...

Select the track "Background" for window "Controls" displays the tab "Host Media". You will notice that the property "Alpha" is not used. You must therefore change it to display your text.

Select "Straight Alpha".

You select "Invert Alpha" to invert Alpha mask. Then you replace the media V1 of the tracks "Extrusion Texture", "Bevel Texture" and "Back Texture" by a gradient to your liking (I chose a silver gradient...)

The result is immediate in the window "Composite" :

• Background became transparent;
• The front is filled with a texture corresponding to your image (V1);
• Extrusion, Bevel and back have a texture corresponding to your gradient.
• It's almost perfect ... but I found that extrusion is a little weak and I propose to increase it a little.
  rechercher

You select the first track of your effect which contains the setting extrusion tab and you set the extrusion to 10 instead of 5.

Step 3 : Return to Studio

Now you click the "Apply" button to apply your effect in Studio. The miracle took place ...

Normally, you should see something like this :

Step 4 : Bonus

For those who have had some difficulties getting to the end of this tutorial, you can find "Mapper.grf" in our download tutorials page. This file contains all the tracks, and keyframe parameters in detail above (with some small variations around adjustment).

Using this file:

• If you want to use the Mapper effect, copy the "Mapper.grf" file to one of your folders (eg My Documents);
• When you use Boris Graffiti in advanced mode, open this file from the menu "File / Open Settings" and the effect is immediately available, ready to be incorporated into Studio 12 by pressing the "Apply" button in the window;
• Note: Unlike the ones provided with Boris Graffiti, this .grf file does not preview or have the animation. It is therefore not advisable to copy this file into the Boris Graffiti library, as you will have neither the preview nor the animation of the effect.

Then, as usual, if you encounter a difficulty : just ask...

{Thanks to saby who translated this tutorial from french to english and cross-checked it}