A really cool new feature in After Effects CS4 is the ability to now take advantage of Photoshop CS4’s new 3d capabilities. Another new feature of Photoshop CS4 is the ability to open .kmz or .3ds files. If we take a look at the extensive free models we have on Google’s 3d warehouse we find a ton of models to choose from. If you can find the model you want on the 3d warehouse as a kmz you are in luck. Open the kmz in Photoshop CS4 and save it as a psd. Import that psd into After Effects CS4 as a composition (making sure to check the box that says “Live Photoshop 3D”). Now you have a new composition in After Effects with a 3D model as well as a null to control it and a camera to pan around it. If you can only find a skp of the model you want on the 3d warehouse, you will need Google Sketchup Pro to export that model out as a 3ds or kmz. Open the 3ds or kmz in photoshop save it as a psd, import that psd in After Effects and you are set.
March 26th, 2009 at
11:54 AM by Damon Ledet in
Adobe, After Effects, Google SketchUp, Photoshop, Tutorial | tags: Adobe, adobe after effects, adobe photoshop, Google, google sketchup | Trackback: trackback
Hey, thanks for the tip. But I had a question.
I am tryin to make a room, with part 3d models and part flat images. I took the ' 3d' composition apart and put it into my new 'room' composition (Yes, I also copied the controller). I then added flat images to make the room walls and floor.
The problem seems to be that when I change my camera movements inside my room, my 3d object (a couch) moves differently in relation to the camera than all the other flat layers.
I also noticed that it does not cross between my flat walls. e.g. if I slide it 'through' them it doesn't vanish.
You have any way to fix this?
Thanks in advance!
You have to enable 3d for all layers that you want to interact with the camera. Also you might want to deactivate the camera's point of interest, to do this select your camera layer and go up to the layer menu -> transform -> auto-orientation and choose off.
damonledet- I can't thank you enough for your tip on turning off auto-orientation for the camera. It was driving me to the point of just about giving up!
Quick question, how do I render out my 3D object in AE so that it looks realistic? In other words, I would like to make my figure look like it's made out of plastic, instead of its default matte finish. With Sketchup I can just render it out like this, but I'm not sure how to do it with AE. Any tips would help.
Thanks again!
Add a light to your After Effects comp and play around with the light Material options (shortcut AA on the light layer)