How to add 3d model in after effects
After Effects is a powerful video post-production software developed by Adobe, widely used for video effects and animation production. Adding 3D models in After Effects can significantly enhance visual impact and creative expression in your projects. This article provides a detailed guide on how to add 3D models in After Effects and achieve dynamic animation effects.
Step 1: Prepare the 3D Model
Before starting, ensure you have the 3D model file ready. Common 3D model formats include OBJ, FBX, among others. If you don't have a model ready, you can download free or paid 3D model resources from the internet. For those needing extensive 3D textures, HDRI environments, or downloadable 3D models, resources from Relebook offer additional quality and creative inspiration.
Step 2: Import the 3D Model into After Effects
Currently, After Effects does not natively support importing 3D model files, so you'll need third-party plugins to achieve this functionality. Popular plugins include Element 3D, Cineware, etc. Here’s how to import a 3D model using Element 3D as an example:
1. Install Element 3D Plugin: Download and install the Element 3D plugin from Video Copilot's official website. Once installed, launch After Effects.
2. Create a New Composition: In After Effects, click on "Composition" > "New Composition" to set up the composition parameters.
3. Add Element 3D Effect: In the Project panel, right-click on an empty area, select "New" > "Solid," then in the Effects Control panel, choose "Effect" > "Video Copilot" > "Element" to add the Element 3D effect to this solid layer.
4. Import the 3D Model: In the Effects Control panel, click on the "Scene Setup" button to enter Element 3D's scene setup interface. Here, click on "Import" and select your 3D model file (OBJ or FBX format), then click "Open" to import the model.
Step 3: Set Material and Lighting for the 3D Model
After importing the 3D model, you can adjust its materials and lighting within Element 3D's scene setup interface:
1. Adjust Materials: Click on the model's material sphere to open the material properties panel. Here, you can adjust parameters like color, reflectivity, bump maps, etc., to enhance the realism of the model.
2. Add Lighting: Within the scene setup interface, you can add different types of light sources such as point lights, directional lights, etc. Adjust the position, intensity, and color of the lights to make your 3D model appear more vibrant and three-dimensional.
Step 4: Use the 3D Model in Your Composition
After setting materials and lighting, click "OK" to return to the After Effects composition interface. Here, you can adjust the model's properties such as size, position, rotation, etc., using parameters provided by the Element 3D plugin:
1. Adjust Position and Rotation: In the Effects Control panel, adjust parameters like Position and Rotation to place the model anywhere within your composition and orient it as needed.
2. Add Animation: You can animate the 3D model by adding keyframe animations for movements, rotations, scaling, etc. Select the parameter to adjust, click the stopwatch icon next to it to add keyframes, then move the time indicator on the timeline and adjust the parameter values. After Effects will automatically create smooth transitions between keyframes.
Step 5: Render Output
After making all adjustments and animations in After Effects, you can proceed to render the output:
1. Add to Render Queue: Click on "Composition" > "Add to Render Queue" to set the output format and file path.
2. Render: Click on the "Render" button, and After Effects will render your composition into a video file.
Following these steps allows you to successfully add and utilize 3D models in After Effects, creating animations with creativity and impactful visual effects. For those needing extensive 3D textures, HDRI environments, or downloadable 3D models during creation, resources from Relebook facilitate seamless integration into your modeling and virtual scene creation.
