Building 3D Objects

As we have explore earlier in the semester, Adobe After Effects can work with layers in to 2 dimensions and in 3 dimensions. For a majority of the semester, we have creating animations in 2D. When you specify a layer as 3D, After Effects adds the z-axis, which provides control over the the layer's depth in the scene. By combining this depth with a variety of lights and camera angles, you can created animated sequences that take advantage of the full range of natural motion, lighting and shadows, perspective, and focusing effects.

This week, we will adding few more layers of complexity when working with 3D objects in After Effects. Not only are we going to manipulate objects inside the 3D scene, but we are going to create a 3D box that we can rotate in 3D. This is going to be fun, so sit down?.strap in and let's get started!.

Project Due: Week 12

This project will test your mastery of working inside a 3D scene in After Effects. You will be creating a motion graphic advertisement that showcases a 3D box. To successfully complete this project, you will need to read Chapter 11 and 12 in your book. Please keep in mind that you will only be handing in the finished animation from Chapter 12. Please follow the directions in Chapter 11 and 12 of the Adobe After Effects Classroom in a Book for specific instructions on completing this project. Please ensure your project includes the following required elements before you complete this assignment:

After you have saved the project file on your personal external storage device (like a thumb drive), please upload your After Effects Project File (.aep) and your rendered Quicktime Movie (.mov) to the 3D Box dropbox on D2L.

Before you upload your files to D2L, please ensure your files meet the following naming conventions:

Project Due: Week 12

On of the hardest challenges in designing compelling motion graphics is generating the illusion of depth. Animated scenes run the risk of communicating flat, 2-dimensional movements; something we want to try to avoid. In this exercise, we will create a 3D room using nothing more than some images (of your choosing) and solid layers. Once the room has been constructed, add lights, cameras and video layers to complete the illusion. Animate the camera moving around the room and focus on the video layers in the room. Please ensure your project includes the following required elements before you hand it in:

After you have saved the project file on your personal external storage device (like a thumb drive), please upload your After Effects Project File (.aep) and your rendered Quicktime Movie (.mov) to the 3D Room dropbox on D2L.

Before you upload your files to D2L, please ensure your files meet the following naming conventions:

Check out these awesome learning resources! I've collected a number of assets that I think will help you conquer this week's homework and laboratory assignment. Please download the following materials to your local hard disk or flash storage device (AKA thumb drive).