In this video I explore how to control the stacking order of duplicated elements in Cavalry, a motion design tool, focusing on what I call the "z-index" from a web design perspective. I demonstrate the challenge of managing the visual order of duplicates within a 2D scene: each duplicate has its own index, but the stacking order isn’t directly controllable. To solve this, I use the Extract Submesh feature to isolate specific duplicates and place them above others in the timeline, effectively controlling their layering without using 3D or 2.5D techniques.
I explain the process of working with arrays, duplicators, and shaders in Cavalry, sharing practical steps and code adjustments. This tutorial is for motion designers who want to improve their workflow in Cavalry, especially those looking to manage layer order in complex scenes. For more about my work and other tutorials, visit jackvaughan.com.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction and project context
- 00:20 Understanding the stacking order problem
- 01:02 Working with the data icons array
- 01:38 Isolating duplicates to control layer order
- 02:13 Using Extract Submesh in Cavalry
- 03:08 Matching scale and retaining animation
- 03:33 Final demonstration and summary
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