VideoCopilot and Element 3D

This week we were learning the core basics of how to use After Effects (keyframing, making, creating solid layers, etc.). As the weeks will come, many of us may be getting more and more anxious to do more complex animations. And of course we will be learning new and exciting techniques in class, but if anyone wants to get extra practice with animating and learning how to use After Effects, then Videocopilot.net is definitely something to take a look at!

 http://www.videocopilot.net/ 

On this website, Professional VFX artist and motion graphics designer Andrew Kramer has several video tutorials that take you step by step with how to do certain types of animations in After Effects. Watch any of his videos from After Effects 101 basics to how to do advanced 3D motion graphics right in After Effects.  If you want to become more and more proficient with After Effects, VideoCopilot is a must!

Also, earlier this week, we were talking about how in this class, we were mostly going to be focusing on After Effects, and not as much on 3D. So that reminded me of this awesome product for After Effects that is absolutely amazing, and it actually comes from the guys at VideoCopilot. It's called Element 3D:

This plugin allows users to more easily integrate 3D models and projects right inside of After Effects. You can import, add texture, material, lighting and more to your 3D models, and even animate right inside of AE, which is pretty remarkable. However it is not a full 3D program like Autodesk Maya, so you cant properly model, rig, or animate certain specific things for your animation, but if you are looking to explore the concepts of 3D as far as lighting and materials work, this tool is absolutely amazing. However, this plugin isn't free, it will cost some money, $200. Then why am I talking about this? The reason is because of how revolutionary it is, and I thought that it was something interesting to share with you all. But the price will obviously shy most of you away from it; however, in my opinion, it is definitely something that I would at least consider looking at and learn about. I actually have it, and it really opens up a new world for me as an After Effects user. 

With a Little Help From My CoPilot

Of the effects that we were learning this week in Adobe After Effects, the one that stood out the most for me was Monday's exercise with the Sure Target plug in. When I saw the film Star Trek Into Darkness over the summer I was captivated by JJ Abrams' retelling of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, I was even more drawn by the closing credits they created for this movie.

As we worked with sure target this past Monday, my mind instantly went to this particular credit sequence. While sure target was a small element that made up this credit sequence, it was encouraging to see one of the techniques we learned in class being used in big productions as one of the basic parts to function.

The other reason this credit sequence stood out for me was the fact that it was made by by some of the members of the video copilot website. Some of the other plug ins I saw used to make this sequence was Elements 3D, the particle replicator along with different particle effects to make the illusion of the solar flames on the planet. One of things that I was hoping Video Copilot would mention, was how they created some of the 3D objects like the various planets and asteroids. I understand that they only had a limited amount of time to present the information they did, but this would have been another element of this intriguing sequence I would have loved to know how they created. 

Element 3D

Want to make realistic objects in After Effects that are truly 3D? Now you can, and it's never been easier with the Element 3D plugin! Created by the guys over at VideoCopilot.net, Element 3D pushes the boundaries with all the things you can do in After Effects. 3D objects, 3D text, 3D environments; Element 3D does it all, and it does it incredibly easy!

So how does it work, you might ask. Well, it's a lot simpler than it might first appear. First, let's talk about Primitive Objects.

Primitive Objects are just what they sound like, objects that are, well, primitive! Inside the primitive objects folder, you'll find an array of cubes, spheres, cones, pyramids, etc. all available with the click of a button. Once you create a primitive, you can use other primitives to help shape the object you wish to create. But what if I want to create something more fancy than just a cube? Well......

For all of those who are artistically gifted, with the click of a button, you can import 3D objects from many different 3D softwares. I don't remember which ones Element supports, but I do know it supports Cinema 4D files and 3DS Max files. Along with that, you can also import .obj files, which are universally used in many different programs. Great! We've got our objects, but it's all gray... Now what?

Welcome to the Material Editor! Element 3D comes packed with many preinstalled materials for you to apply to your objects. You can also create and edit materials very easily. So let's say we made a rock in Cinema 4D, imported into Element, and have a rocky material you want for the rock, what now? Simple, just drag the material onto the rock and you're set! You'll then be able to edit things about the material in the bottom window, to make things unique about that object.

I wanted to write this week's blog post about Element 3D because it is by far my favorite plugin I've used in After Effects! If I want to make something looks nice and pretty, and make it 3D, I quickly rush to Element, because I know I can make some awsome things.