How do you create and animate 3D text and logos in After Effects?

1 Preparing your text and logo

The first step is to prepare your text and logo in a format that After Effects can work with. You can use any font or vector graphics software to create your text and logo, but make sure to save them as separate layers in a PSD, AI, or EPS file. You can also use the text tool in After Effects to type your text directly on the canvas. Once you have your text and logo ready, import them into After Effects and drag them to the timeline.

2 Converting to 3D layers

The next step is to convert your text and logo layers to 3D layers. This will allow you to manipulate them in 3D space and apply 3D effects. To do this, simply select your layers and click on the 3D layer switch in the timeline panel. You will see a small cube icon next to your layers, indicating that they are now 3D. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+Y (Mac) or Control+Shift+Y (Windows) to toggle the 3D layer switch.

3 Adding extrusion and bevel

Now that your text and logo are 3D, you can add some depth and dimension to them by adding extrusion and bevel. Extrusion is the process of extending the front and back faces of your layers along the Z-axis, creating a solid 3D shape. Bevel is the process of rounding the edges of your layers, creating a smooth and realistic look. To add extrusion and bevel, you will need to use a plugin called Cinema 4D Lite, which is included with After Effects. To access it, go to Layer > Create > Create Shapes from Vector Layer. This will create a new shape layer based on your text or logo, and open it in Cinema 4D Lite.

4 Customizing the material and lighting

Once you have your shape layer in Cinema 4D Lite, you can customize the material and lighting of your text and logo. Material is the surface appearance of your layers, such as color, texture, reflection, and transparency. Lighting is the source of illumination and shadow for your layers, such as direction, intensity, and color. To edit the material, select your shape layer and go to the Material Editor in Cinema 4D Lite. Here you can adjust the parameters of the material, such as color, luminance, reflection, transparency, and bump. To edit the lighting, select the light object in the Objects panel and go to the Attributes Manager in Cinema 4D Lite. Here you can adjust the parameters of the light, such as type, color, intensity, shadow, and falloff.

5 Animating the text and logo

The final step is to animate your text and logo in After Effects. You can use any of the standard animation tools and techniques in After Effects, such as keyframes, expressions, masks, and effects. However, there are some specific features and plugins that can help you create more dynamic and realistic 3D animations. For example, you can use the Camera tool to create a virtual camera that can move around your 3D layers and create different perspectives and angles. You can also use the Ray-traced 3D renderer to enable more advanced 3D effects, such as reflections, refractions, and depth of field. You can also use plugins such as Element 3D, Trapcode Particular, or Video Copilot Optical Flares to add more 3D elements and effects to your text and logo, such as particles, flares, or glows.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?