Video Copilot Element 3D V2 Plugin (Download)

To make the workflow as efficient as possible, Video Copilot has simulated reflections and shadows that don t require ray-tracing. Without ray-tracing, rendering detailed 3D models is less processor intensive, and near real-time renders can be achieved without an expensive GPU.

Element 3D v2 is designed for use in Adobe After Effects CS5 or newer on either PC or Mac and is compatible with 3D models created in OBJ and C4D file formats.

Physical Shader System

Easily create more realistic materials based on real-world object properties. Modeled materials can be dragged and dropped onto objects to model realistic surfaces. A new glossiness adjustment allows for a consistent change in the model s reflectivity between its specular highlights and the reflected background environment.

Dynamic Reflection Maps

Element 3D can cleverly create reflections in 3D objects without processor-intensive ray-tracing. It does this by creating a spherical map from the center of the object outward, and anything captured in that map is reflected on the surface of that object. This feature enables near real-time rendering of reflections.

Ambient Occlusion Light Influence

Creates realistic lighting gradients in shadows by reducing ambient occlusion in relation to the luminance values of an area.

Ray-Traced Shadows and Ambient Occlusion

For more accuracy and realism, you can use ray-traced shadows and ambient occlusion instead of the standard real-time settings. The ray-tracing is GPU accelerated through OpenCL in order to speed up render times.

Auxiliary Animation

Animate specific components of your 3D models by assigning those parts to one of ten available animation channels. You can use this to create simple ong rigs within After Effects. You can assign multiple parts to a single channel to have the parts move in unison.

Sub-Surface Scattering

Allows light to penetrate the surface of your object to have it exit at different, irregular points. This creates a look that s ideal for rendering translucent materials such as skin, leaves, and marble.

Automatically Import MTL Files

If an OBJ file that you want to load into Element 3D has an MTL (material) file associated with it, you can choose to import that file to retain relevant textures throughout your workflow.