For 3D Shape Only

For decades Flame ops have pondered some of the deepest questions in Visual Effects; Render, Do Not Render, or For 3D Shape only? The description of a Flame function is generally confined to the area of an oversized button. Other apps use tiny checkboxes, which are fiddly, but tend to invite slightly longer half sentences. Flame has many two or three word labels.

In fact it’s a much loved characteristic. Whilst it doesn’t matter after the first few button presses, it might be frustrating to new users.

Veteran’s and juniors alike have been driven to the Flame Learning Channel in desperation during their first encounter with GMask Transparency in 3DShape. It’s my favourite.

DO NOT RENDER uses GMask softness as the thickness for the 3DShape. Technically then, it won't render, hence the name. Trouble is, the ‘not rendering’ is the side show, the main punchline is that GMask Softness has been repurposed. A good name might be ‘Use Gmask Softness as 3Dshape Thickness.’ Wordy, I know. May I suggest ‘For 3D shape Only’. No wait.

Let’s go straight from DO NOT RENDER to RENDER; the opposite right? This small word;RENDER, means two things. First, it uses Gmask Softness as the thickness for the 3Dshape. Yes, RENDER does the same as DO NOT RENDER. The second thing this small RENDER word does? It uses GMask Softness…on itself! Slightly inexplicable, but cool nonetheless, I’m a fan. Looks like one of those of 3D light tubes, just because they could I guess. Suggested name is ‘Use Spline Softness for 3DShape Thickness & Self Masking.’ I know, I know. It will never fit. OK how about just RENDER. Ah, that’s so Flame!

And finally FOR 3D SHAPE ONLY will apply GMask Softness to the 3D Shape. That’s not mathematically possible and the tool won’t work if u have any 3D Depth extrusion. It’s actually for 2D shapes only. Very well, let’s call it FOR 3D SHAPE ONLY.

And around we go.

I hope you will forgive my gentle mockery; my life’s work is based on Flame. And I’m not really poking fun; once you know that Flame is built like this, noticing, and applying your own translations feels like cracking the code. And that can really suck you in.