Converting a layer to 3D via ExtendScript

[Walter Soyka]

[Krishna Moorthy] “kindly help me out to use draft3d attribute in my script. I want enable 3D for a specific layer. I don’t know how to use the draft3d attribute.”

draft3d is an attribute of comps, not layers. To make a layer 3D, set its threeDLayer attribute to true.

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

[Krishna Moorthy]

Yeah, that’s the thing I wanted to do. How set the draft3d attribute to true for a precomp.

[Walter Soyka]

[Krishna Moorthy] “Yeah, that’s the thing I wanted to do. How set the draft3d attribute to true for a precomp.”

It’s pretty straightforward:

// replace with your own comp reference
myComp = app.project.activeItem;

// Enable the Draft 3D switch for the comp
myComp.draft3d = true;


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

[Krishna Moorthy]

Here is the exact thing which I wanted.

compReference.layer(1).threeDLayer = true:

Found this through Adobe After Effects Scripting Guide.

Thank you Walter.

[Krishna Moorthy]

Meanwhile, I want to know what is the usage of draft3d attribute. Kindly, explain.

[Walter Soyka]

[Krishna Moorthy] “Meanwhile, I want to know what is the usage of draft3d attribute. Kindly, explain.”

From https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/previewing.html :

“Each preview mode provides a different balance between quality and speed for playback and for updating of images during interactions, such as when you drag a layer in the Composition panel or modifying a property value in the Timeline panel. Draft 3D and Live Update modes apply to all views of a composition. Draft 3D disables lights, shadows, and depth-of-field blur for cameras.”

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