Importing 3D Text and Objects into After Effects

[John Dickinson]

You’ll need 3D Invigorator Pro to do this or the new Proanimator for AE. Check out https://www.zaxwerks.com. You can either import your model but better yet make your text inside the Invigorator and avoid Max altogether.

JD

John Dickinson
Motionworks
http://www.motionworks.com.au

[Spritemaster]

Just to add something regarding your last question (“Should I be using 3D Studio Max or is there a better way or program to create these objects?”) – it’s really not a question of “better”, there are several excellent 3D applications and, frankly, 3D text and logos is something rather basic you can easily do in any of them. I would say, though, that MAX is a relatively expensive option if all you need is flying logos… a lot of people use Cinema 4D for this kind of stuff, and Softimage|XSI Foundation is also an excellent choice which costs significantly less than 3D Studio.

AA

[Ron Coy]

ProAnimator is probably the best solution for what you’re trying to do, and it’s WAY cheaper than 3DS Max.

However, as far as 3D programs go, I like Max alot. I also am very fond of Modo, though I have no idea what I’m doing with it yet. This will change, as it seems to work the way I want to work.

Max is overkill for 3D text, but if you want to do real 3D work, it’s an excellent program. I just wish it wasn’t a Windows (only) program, but it’s so tied to Win32, it’ll never be anything else.

I like modo because it is cross platform, as is Cinema4D and Maya as well. And I guess Lightwave, but I don’t know why anyone would use it if they were starting out in 3D these days. It’s powerful, but it’s like pulling teeth to use.

I’m rambling. I could go on so much longer about this subject, too…

Bottom line, use what you like and what will work best for you, but don’t try using 3DSMax for text in After Effects if you want to actually manipulate and interact with the text within After Effects. ProAnimator or Invigorator are the better tools for that job.