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Importing 3d objects from Maya into AE and rotating around them
Hey –
Is it possible to import a 3d object made in Maya or 3d Max into After Effects and have the control to rotate around them?
Thanks
Amber -
11 Replies
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Thanks for being so straight forward. When I was researching on Google I got all kinds of false promises. I really appreciate your help and this forum. Take care.
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Don’t be so quick to say no Dave. With CS4 there is some limited support of importing 3D models. I haven’t really read into it too much, but it has something to do with opening the model in Photoshop and then exporting from there as a certain file. You can then import that file into After Effects and rotate around it.
Again, I have not tried this yet, so I’m not sure of all the limitations. I’m sure it’s not perfect, and maybe it only works with certain types of models, but at least the option is there. I’m sure this feature will get better with time.
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8core MacPro, 3.0 GHZ, 10GB RAM, OSX 10.5.2
DualCore G5 2.0 GHZ, 2GB RAM, OSX 10.4.11AE CS3
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Dave – I completely agree with you on the “limited support” factor. From my own recent research into CS4 (still running CS3 here as well, though with some possibility of an upgrade soon), the process to bring a 3D object into CS4 looks not only completely asinine, but also bordering on useless. As Jeremy said you have to make your model, bring it into Photoshop, then save it as a PSD with a 3D layer, then bring it into AE, and from there it looks like there are still several more steps to make it all work.
Has anyone out there with CS4 tried this out? Is it more useful than I have been able to describe above?
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Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro is a plugin for AE that will allow you to bring in 3D models from other applications (including Maya) and rotate around them in 3D fashion.
https://zaxwerks.com/invigorator_pro/index.shtml -
Well,from my experience,you can import 3d objects in PSCS4,(you’ll have to study in maya which one works best,obj,etc.),save it to a ps file and import it into AECS4…you’ll have then 3 layers: first one is the ps layer,asecond a null object to control the former and finally a camera. You Can rotate around the 3d object,is not a flat card,but integration is limited(does not react to AE lights,so no shadows,etc.)Lighting is done in PSCS4 and stays like that in AE (hard to explain,but believe me it’s the way it works).
I did a composition that had a 3d model of a rocket,and the environment was created with trapcode horizon…turned quite nice,the 3d universe created was acceptable…
Hope this helps… -
In my situation it would be useful. The model is of a tick – for a dog prescription product. It doesn’t have much detail – it’s a solid shape with a solid color. I would like to use it in AE with other motion graphics, etc. So yes, b/c I don’t work with 3D it would definitely be useful. But then again, when it it comes to lights, etc thats where it could get tricky. I hope they iron out this feature someday.
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After playing with it a little bit, the CS4 option doesn’t work that great. Sure, you can bring in a model and with Horizon you can get some bearable rotate/pans, but asinine is really the best word to describe it. God forbid in one of these CS updates we get usable 3D capabilities. In my opinion, it seems like Adobe made obj imports work just enough to say they added it, and that’s about it.
At this point, is there really much else Adobe can add to AE besides real, workable 3D and/or animation? You know when you work on a project that’s extremely challenging and you do all the easy work first just to put off doing the really hard stuff? That’s what I think of when I look at the last two CS updates. I know that AE isn’t really a 3D program, but shouldn’t some of these ‘under the hood’ updates address that and give us real 3D already?
John
Magic Feather Inc. -
Thanks David. I’m the best reader in my preschool class. I guess it shows! :-).
I don’t even want to think about Open GL. For me the pain of that disappointment is still to near…
I’d be happy with a real 3D application from Adobe that is separate from AE (although I’d prefer it to be incorporated – I hate bouncing between applications). Imagine something like Maya but with Adobe interface design (so that feels like it’s part of the Adobe family).
This shouldn’t be interpreted as a ‘trash adobe’ post. I can’t imagine where my business would be without Photoshop, Illustrator, and AE. I just wish they’d spend more time on real production applications and less on apps like “Adobe Media Player”, Adobe Drive, Version Cue, and all those other applications that there’s just no demand for (in my opinion – some people might LOVE those apps, I just don’t know anyone that does).
Perhaps they’re waiting for Motion 3 to show them what the people want….
John
Magic Feather Inc. -
Not strictly true…
Its a process tho..
In Maya export to OBJ
In Photoshop (yes photoshop) import the 3d using the 3D menu (not place)
Save as psd
import the psd in AfterEffects..
Bingo!(Of course theres some tricky hiccups, but this should get you started…)
Mark
Mark Francombe
Boss Creative
Transform -
now you can import 3D objects from 3D done in photoshop.
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