Creating realistic chrome…without an external 3D application or plugin

[Todd Kopriva]

This Community Help search for ‘chrome’ brought up several useful resources, including this:
“Metallic Text in After Effects”

Layer styles in After Effects are useful for this kind of thing.

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Todd Kopriva, Adobe Systems Incorporated
Technical Support for professional video software
After Effects Help & Support
Premiere Pro Help & Support
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[Tudor “ted” jelescu]

AE plugins and Layer Styles (like Walter mentioned) can get you a good result. For best results though you need to use a true 3d plugin that will enable the use of reflection maps. I know you want to do this AE native only, but I recommend looking into FreeForm Pro or Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro for this one. You can assign reflection maps and make use of AE lights and cameras with both.

Tudor “Ted” Jelescu
Senior VFX Artist

[Jim Bachalo]

Todd, thanks yes saw those, but hoping someone might have some better alternatives.
Ted, think you are right after seeing what is possible with AE only…will make the plunge for either C4D or a 3D plugin…

Local is the new global