How can we improve After Effects?

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3D Workspace

It would be great to have a real 3D workspace in After Effects with possibility to import 3D models. Here's a couple of features we could have:

-Possibility to import 3D models (this used to be possible through a clunky and slow photoshop workflow)
-PBR Shaders with inputs for textures
-Default generation of UVs (Cube map, Sphere map, etc) for models without UVs
-Possibility to project textures from a camera or a special projector object
-Simple deformers for 3D models (Bend, Twist, Displace, etc...)
-Possibility of extruding shape and text layers
-Simple Open GL render engine
-Raytraced Render Engine
-Possibility to use 3rd party renderers

In node based compositors that do have a 3D workspace usually the 3D work needs to go through a render node so that it can then be composited back with the normal 2D nodes. This could be accomplished with a new type of comp called 3D Comp which would contain all the 3D models cameras, lights, etc… and render out a flat file.

I know some of these features can be accomplished through Cinema 4D, but the chinaware workflow is clunky and slow, also it requires an external software.

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Joao Morgado shared this idea  ·   ·  Flag idea as inappropriate…  ·  Admin →

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  • An Nguyen commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    With 3d gizmo, hope to see some 3D simple object as Cube, Sphere into new AE, thank guys

  • Michael Wilson commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    I would like to be able to Import 3d Models into After Effects, and Not just through Cinema 4d.

    Like the Old Version of After Effects Could. I know alot of After Effects Users Want to be able to do this without a 3rd Party Plugin. or Software.

  • onur nidayi commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Hi,
    One major issue I have with After Effects is getting Photoshop 3D/Materials into after effects and being able to manipulate inside AE on 3D Plane. How comes we haven't got this functionality yet. Users have been asking about this for years. I have been asking about this for about 3 years. I know there is Cinema 4D which deals with 3D Layers but I just don't understand how you own 3D functionality doesn't work between apps but you have an outside companies 3D Applications work on there but not your own products. That one I will leave up to you guys to work out, if you can come up with a solution Please, Please :)

  • jisook so commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Here's what I want to do:
    1) Import a static mesh (say, a textured .obj)
    2) parent it to any of the other things I'm doing in AE
    3) animate transforms and so on in AE
    4) render my composition
    5) move on with my life.

    Can't open a Photoshop 3d live file anymore? Okay. Can't open any of the several 3D formats that Photoshop can export, and must do all transforms and animations in C4D Lite? Definitely NOT okay.

    There have been several times in the past when a bad solution has been branded as a "feature," but the current requirement of exporting/importing to c4d, and the inability to transform and animate meshes in AE, is simply not acceptable to any sane work flow.

  • Justin Hemsley commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    There still is a need for layer based stuff, I use it daily. but if AE could do both intricate nodes AND layers would it would be one of a kind and unstoppable. Or at least would solve a lot of my problems. I don't think there's a need to ditch layers entirely, just add some new non-linear options.

  • Tim Thiessen commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    a node based workflow would be a major departure from AE previous workflow and while it might be a boon for special effects users, it would negatively impact many motion graphic artist. It might be worth if it was a stand-alone app or module to access from inside AE. But to wholesale throw out the time-line in favor of nodes, would be a deal killer for me (and I suspect many users).

  • Muhammad Aamir commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    I'm really fond of Adobe Products. But It is kinda disappointing when It comes to comparing it with other VFX and Compositing Applications. Even free versions of applications like Black Magic DaVinci Resolve or Fusion have all the features that an artist would desire and they're gaining popularity by leaps and bounds.

    So, there's dire need of some serious upgrade that actually deserves the title "Major Update".

    We want a real 3D Workspace as well as the capability to choose between layer-based or node-based workflow.

    It will surely give Adobe an edge over its competitors making it the first choice of all types of artists as it's also tightly integrated with its other Apps i.e., Photoshop and Illustrator.

    Adobe must seriously implement such features that would not only make us proud being a part of Adobe Family but also realize that it is worth the subscription model.

    Looking forward to experiencing these

  • MrBeep commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    I totally agree. It's such a pain in the ... to work in 3d in AE. Guys wake up it's 2018!

  • rmthompson902 commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Yes, please! I don't have a budget for 3D particle systems plug-ins, this is something that should be basic is this sort of program.

  • pat commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    In compositing every media comes together.
    But there are not only videos, photos, graphics and sound out there...there is also 3D! - everywhere!

    So AE needs to understand 3D data from other applications and should do basic 3D operations direct inside.

    2D planes in space, slow fake 3D or an unstable link to only one "beginner" 3D tool is not enough in 2018.

  • pat commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Cinema 4D, cinema 4D , cinema 4D :D ...is that everything you know about 3D?
    And yes, a better Link between C4D and AE is always nice to have for C4D.

    But i tell you a scret :) ...3D is not only Cinema4D and your loved, slowly and unstable C4D-Link workflow would also be 10 times faster and better if AE would got the basic 3D engine of Cinema 4D nativly <3

    it would be easier, fast and better to navigate, manipulate and import 3D data - also form 3D tools outside your little C4D world :D ...wouldn't that be great?

    Maybe you wouldn't need to switch programs at all, because basic 3D motion graphics could be done direct in AE <3

  • Pablo commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    I understand, it would be a great idea not only to improve the performance of the dynamic link between both applications, but also to improve much more the compatibility between After Effects and Cinema 4D to get to the level of controlling some parameters of the Cinema 4D scenes within the After Effects interface. That would make them unstoppable :)

  • pat commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    @ Pablo
    A Compositing tool is a tool where every dicipline of CG comes together, so it has to understand everything and give some options to manipulate those inputs.

    Today its absolutly normal to cut, color key, color correct, 3D track and animate in compositing-tools but this are all disciplines where other tools a better and more specialised in.

    Todays cinema movies are mostly projected in 3D stereo (so the have to be composed in 3D), we have new media like VR, AR where everything has to be in 3D space.

    So in the future (most comp tools have that already) it will be absolutly normal that every compositing tool has to have the possibility to do simple 3D tasks without switching everytime to a specialised 3D tool. This specialised 3D tools are useful for comlicated muscle, water, hair, physik and crowd simulation but not to create simple primitives! that was back in 1995 where i started with CG :D

    It is pure nonsens to switch for simple 3D task in Motion Graphics or Camera Mapping back and forth ...and in my opinion thats exactly the discipline of After Effects.

    I really think, if AE dosn't have in 5 years a simple, well integrated 3D Engine. The next generation of artist and students won't use it like today.

  • pat commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    @ Pablo
    So which discipline is After Effects stand for?
    Compositing? than you ned simple 3D in 2018... is it for Motion Graphics? ...than you need simple 3D in 2018

    Dont unterstand me wrong! it has not to replace specialiced 3D programms but it should understand there files and should be able to make little changes or adjustments without switching all the time. Cinema 4D is only one of many 3D Tools out there! ...Today you have to switch to Cinema 4D if you only want a 3D tube in space - thats nonsens!

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