How to Make 3D Logo Animation in After Effects with Element 3D.
In this video After Effects 3D Logo Animation Tutorial I will show you How to Create a Stunning Professional 3D Logo Animation in After Effects with Element 3D Plug-in.
Creating a stunning 3D logo animation is a fantastic way to make your brand stand out. In this tutorial, we'll dive into the powerful tools in Adobe After Effects, specifically using Element 3D, to create a professional-looking 3D logo animation. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with After Effects, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.
What You’ll Need:
- Adobe After Effects (any version that supports Element 3D)
- Element 3D Plugin from Video Copilot
- Your logo in vector format (preferably in .EPS or .AI)
- A basic understanding of After Effects interface
Step 1: Preparing Your Logo
Before jumping into After Effects, it's crucial to prepare your logo. If your logo is in raster format (like .PNG or .JPEG), try converting it into a vector format (.EPS or .AI) using Adobe Illustrator. A vector logo is recommended for better quality when creating 3D objects in Element 3D.
- Open Illustrator
- Load your logo
- Save it as .AI or .EPS format
Step 2: Setting Up After Effects
Once your logo is ready, launch After Effects and create a new composition.
- Go to Composition > New Composition (Set the resolution to 1920x1080 for Full HD, with a duration depending on your animation)
- Give your composition a suitable name like “3D Logo Animation”
Project File: Download
Template: Download
Step 3: Importing Your Logo
- Import your logo file by dragging it into the Project Panel or using File > Import > File
- Drag the logo into your composition timeline
Step 4: Applying the Element 3D Plugin
Now, we’ll use Element 3D to transform your 2D logo into a 3D object.
- Right-click on your logo layer and select Create Shapes from Vector Layer. This will create a shape layer from your logo
- Create a new Solid Layer by going to Layer > New > Solid and name it “Element”
- Go to Effects & Presets and search for Element. Drag this onto your Solid layer
Step 5: Configuring Element 3D
- In the Effect Controls panel, click on the Scene Setup button within the Element 3D effect
- In the Scene Setup window, click Extrude to give depth to your logo, converting it into a 3D object
- Adjust the Extrusion Depth and any other properties to get the right thickness and style for your 3D logo
You can also apply materials or textures to your logo using Element 3D’s material library for a more polished look. Experiment with different settings to match your brand’s aesthetic.
Step 6: Animating the 3D Logo
Now that you’ve got a 3D logo, it’s time to animate it.
- In the Element 3D panel, you can go to Group 1 > Particle Look > Rotation
- Use keyframes to animate the X, Y, or Z rotation to spin, rotate, or move your logo in 3D space
You can also animate other parameters like Position or Scale to add more dynamism to your logo reveal.
Step 7: Adding Camera and Lights
To make the animation more realistic, add a 3D Camera and Lights.
- Go to Layer > New > Camera and adjust the camera position to give the logo depth and perspective
- For extra realism, go to Layer > New > Light and experiment with different light sources such as Spotlight or Point Light
You can animate the camera to zoom in or out as the logo reveals itself.
Step 8: Adding Final Touches
Once your animation looks good, you can add motion blur for a smoother effect. Enable Motion Blur in the timeline for both the logo and the camera layer.
- Add some extra effects like Glow or Reflection for a professional finish
- To enhance your animation further, consider adding particles or flares using additional plugins like Optical Flares or Particular
Step 9: Rendering Your Animation
Once you’re happy with the animation:
- Go to Composition > Add to Render Queue
- Choose your desired format (H.264 is great for uploading to YouTube)
- Click Render
Conclusion
Creating a 3D logo animation with After Effects and Element 3D is an exciting way to give your brand a professional touch. This tutorial has shown you how to turn a flat 2D logo into an impressive 3D animation using basic techniques and the Element 3D plugin. With practice, you can customize this further by adding effects, dynamic animations, and integrating your logo into different projects.
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