Blur effects on 3D layer. Specifically text layers.

[Chad Ridgeway]

Now “allowed”… “outloud”

[Chad Ridgeway]

Wondering allowed if what you’re seeing is focal length distance on the 3D camera that creates virtual depth of field ?

[Walter Soyka]

[Trevor Plaza] “whenever I activate the 3D layer it shuts off the effect. “

I imagine you are using the ray-tracing renderer, which creates geometry out of text and shape layers, and thus cannot support pixel-based effects like blurs on those layers.

Don’t use the ray-tracing renderer unless you specifically need one of its features; the classic 3D renderer is significantly faster for most traditional After Effects work and is entirely pixel/raster-based.

Walter Soyka
Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
@keenlive   |   RenderBreak [blog]   |   Profile [LinkedIn]

[Trevor Plaza]

Thanks for the quick response!

I’ve checked and the classic ray tracing renderer is what I have selected. I’ve attached a screenshot for you if it will help.

[Trevor Plaza]

Sorry, I guess I don’t know how to add an attachment here.

[Walter Soyka]

You have to manually copy and paste the embed code for the image. There are instructions in teeny tiny type in the image upload window.

Can you post a screenshot showing your entire Ae UI, including the timeline panel?

Walter Soyka
Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
@keenlive   |   RenderBreak [blog]   |   Profile [LinkedIn]

[Trevor Plaza]

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have read all the instructions first…

The blur on 3D text is still not working. Basically I’m trying to create a shadow of the text. I know there are other ways to accomplish this but using a blur is really fast and easy to do.

Also, thanks again for the responses.

[Michael Szalapski]

Try turning off the Draft 3d option, just in case that’s it.

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[Blaise Douros]

Why not just create a light, and add an invisible shadow catcher object to match the plane of the table? You can then control the amount of softness of the shadow in the light’s parameters. And as a bonus, the shadows will behave like real shadows, cast in the correct direction from your virtual light source.