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Using cameras and lights with effects


    Some of the After Effects effects, called Comp Camera effects, can use a composition's camera and lights. Some always use the composition camera, while others include light and camera options in the Effect Controls window. Comp Camera effects are characterized with a 3D cube beside their names in the Effect Controls window. When you apply a Comp Camera effect to a layer (2D only), it can track the composition's camera and light positions and render a 3D image on the 2D layer to which it is applied. For more information on cameras and lights, see Using cameras and Using lights.

    The effect's results appear 3D; however, the layer with the Comp Camera effect applied remains a 2D layer and consequently has the following characteristics:

    • 3D layers above and below it in the Timeline window cannot interact with one another.
    • It can be relocated anywhere in the Timeline window's stacking order.
    • It cannot interact with other Comp Camera effects, 3D layers, or shadows.
    • The image is rendered on the layer, not the composition. Consequently, apply Comp Camera effects to layers that are the same size as the composition and are exactly centered in the composition.