Plugins

[Kalleheikki Kannisto]

This discussion made me ask the question “is there a way to generate a z-depth map from the native AE layers to aid with compositing 3D effect layers?” which lead me to this interesting post:

https://www.provideocoalition.com/z-depth-from-3d-after-effects-layers/

Sounds like worth exploring.

Kalleheikki Kannisto
Senior Graphic Designer

[Walter Soyka]

[Leke Mustapha] “almost as if complex animation on AE requires third party plugin”

I agree with the others that any beginner should learn the basics of Ae first, and I also think that an advanced Ae user can do a lot more with stock Ae effects than any beginner would expect. However, it’s also true that the third party ecosystem adds a ton of capability to Ae that you can’t practically replicate with stock features in a reasonable amount of time.

As an Ae-savvy creative director who hires Ae artists, I do expect a degree of proficiency from our freelancers in common plugins like Particular, Form, and Element 3D.

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

[Steve Bentley]

Walter brings up a good point.
As much as you shouldn’t design for the latest neat plugin, I’m trying to remember the last time one of the Trapcode suite of plug ins wasn’t part of a project we had done. They have become so ubiquitous and so well rounded I think people might look at you funny if you said “I don’t have Trapcode.”, or at the very least Particular. They also fill a much exploited niche (at least in 2.5D) that no other plugin really measures up to. To get equivalent effects you have to go to a 3D package.