Using the Advanced 3D rendering plug-in

By default, After Effects uses the Advanced 3D rendering plug-in. Use this rendering plug-in to render compositions containing intersecting 3D layers. The Advanced 3D rendering plug-in accurately calculates intersecting layers so that they appear to slide through each other naturally instead of to pop from one side to the other. This rendering plug-in also accurately calculates anti-aliasing, motion blur, and blending modes for intersecting layers.

To render shadows, the Advanced 3D rendering plug-in uses shadow maps, which are images rendered from the point of view of each light source. Normally, a shadow's resolution is computed automatically based on the composition resolution and the quality settings (switches). If the normal resolution does not create the quality you want or renders too slowly, you can adjust the shadow map resolution. For example, if shadows are blurry and the Shadow Diffusion material option is set to 0, increase the shadow map resolution. Or, if shadows render too slowly, decrease the shadow map resolution.

Note: If your animation does not include intersections and you do not want to set the shadow map resolution, use the Standard 3D rendering plug-in, which renders more quickly.


Example of a 3D file with intersecting layers rendered with the Standard renderer (left) and the 3D renderer (right)

To use the Advanced 3D rendering plug-in:

1. Choose Composition > Composition Settings.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Choose Advanced 3D from the Rendering Plug-in menu.
4. To specify the shadow map resolution, click the Options button and choose an option from the Shadow Map Resolution menu. (These options represent the resolution in pixels. Choose Comp Size or a resolution larger than the composition size for best results.)