New Tutorial: Simple Car Rig in Element 3D

April 16th, 2013

In this tutorial we'll be setting up a simple car rig inside of After Effects with Element 3D. This technique will work well for almost any 3D vehicle model.

Watch in HD on Vimeo!

Advanced Car-Rig: In the next tutorial we will take a look at a more advanced Rig using expressions to get more realistic results so be sure to understand this initial setup!

Note: Be sure you are running Element 3D V1.6

E3D Tip: If you hold ALT and click on the material light switch, it will solo that material. This way, you can turn off all materials except one.

Andrew Kramer

POSTED:

12 years ago

100 Comments

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9 years ago

The words cease me to thank you

johnmuriuki

11 years ago

hi Andrew. surely trillions of thanks, cant equate to ua generosity!!!!!!.. am 6month old in ua tutorials. kindly help me with a pdf file on how to use Element 3D. I love ua creative tuts man.

prathamesh

12 years ago

my simple car rig test must watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF_u2D0ZDL8&feature=youtu.be

12 years ago

hey andrew!love your tutorial but im having a little problem.i split my car in cinema 4d to different materials,but in element 3d when i add the material the object that it is assigned to does not get the material.like in the car only the left door gets the colour and the right door becomes transparent.i even tried putting both the doors in different materials but it did not work.plz help

jacob zelaya

12 years ago

here I have an idea of what we need... http://www.hiboox.es/go/imagenes/imagenes-personales/add-group-idea,e54d95b87795a82097aa80c68b959142.jpg.html

it would be great in the next update please!

Mahdi

12 years ago

I want Advanced Car-Rig tutorial ...

Aunt Jane Nation

12 years ago

This tutorial came just in time for me to use in the trailer for a superhero comedy webseries, The Adventures of Steve. Check it out below and let us know what you think.

https://vimeo.com/65901523

Shashank

12 years ago

I am sure Andrew has something under Effects -> VideCopilot...
Anyways Andrew, can you give that police car model for free? Just one model! Please!

Anyways I didnt get how you put lights on the head light of the car

Hussein

12 years ago

VCP best tuts ever... Andrew best teacher eveeeeerrrrr... (From IRAN)

Robert

12 years ago

Hi Andrew and the of the VCP crew,

I was wondering if the features of scripts like "elementary" will be implicated in the next version of Element? I totally love the new features, but I still miss shadows and reflections. Although Elementary isn't perfect, is does work with realtime shadows and reflections on Solid layers.

Best,

Robert

Tanda

12 years ago

Element3D is the new future for After Effects. You are god andrew!

prathamesh

12 years ago

hye andrew sir please upload more tutorial fast please.
i cnt wait

prathamesh

12 years ago

hello andrew sir .Please upload something and teach us something new .
also upload some new plugin previews please

IMRAN KHAN

12 years ago

Andrew How To Rig Tank Wheel?

Zafar Sahel

12 years ago

hi Andrew This a great tutorial but i have a question (how to animate Liquids like a Realistic water in motion design pack )
thanks

ShahabG

12 years ago

Mr. AK. I would like to humbly ask you, when will the vehicle packs be comng? And i'm so bored when is your more advanced tutorial coming also like to learn some more.

hello Andrew

12 years ago

i have a question: which Graphics card do you recommend for Element 3D?

Lukasz

12 years ago

Hello. Here's site for free 3D vehicles and stuff.
http://animium.com/

mandaf

12 years ago

where can we get the police car?
i need it really thanks andrew

Francisco Silva

12 years ago

Hey Andrew have you concider to make a OBJ Sequence Pack ? with some ready animations (cars,humans,animals etc...) , becouse over the internet is so hard to find Obj animated ready. Think about!

prathamesh

12 years ago

you are right Francisco !!!
andrew sir please upload something i cant wait for new somthing .... you are awsome .

prathamesh

12 years ago

you are right Francisco !!!
andrew sir please upload something i cant wait for new somthing .... you are awsome .

Andrew Anderson

12 years ago

I have a problem with my plugin element 3D I can not move the element in the window of after effects with the cursor to do I must go and change the world tranform parameter for it to move, so it is not normal that it's going like that, so I want to know what happens.

my after effects is the CS5.5
THANK YOU ...

MUTU AARONAIRE

12 years ago

i really would love the car pack,but i haven't got indepths tuts on element 3D thanks Sir.Anrew though,ya the greatest in CG and VFX,that's for me

Gay James

12 years ago

Andrew we need the package as, aircraft, car and Human Please work for us because We beleive in you my man

Gay James

12 years ago

Andrew Thanks for your 3D work in After Effects I'll congratulated

Bayu

12 years ago

can I work with you..?
I'm realy2 to be like you..
AWESOME...

DRE

12 years ago

Andrew, as always cool suff.... how about putting police car up as a project down load.... i know yo have a new pack comming out with it and more would be great to get a junm on it... with a cool ass test model.

Matthew Sabia

12 years ago

Been waiting for this one since the beginng!

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12 years ago

I like this car. Please make the objects used in your movies download-able!

zafar sahel

12 years ago

hey andrew you have don a really great job
and please add some cycles ,motorcycles in the new vehicles Pack for e3d

prathamesh

12 years ago

please upkoad new model pack previews

prathamesh

12 years ago

please upload new model pack previews or trailers atleast

Googleman

12 years ago

i see in the new feature "online shop"

hey guys!!EVRICAA!!..Vehicle pack is will not gift :

OddWord

12 years ago

Now have Vin Diesel jump out, that would be a gas!!!

ColinK93

12 years ago

Yay! If the new vehicle model pack has Doc Brown's DeLorean from Back to the Future, I just might lose my mind....

netanel

12 years ago

wow this is graet andrew

Problem Guy :(

12 years ago

Hey Andrew can you tell me what is this kind of problem?
http://i.imgur.com/voNZnIF.jpg Here's the image!

Dustin

12 years ago

Hey! Can you contact us at support@videocopilot.net and we can help you out there. Your graphics card may not be supported, and we can help you at support if you would like to receive a refund for your product. Please include your computer specs in your email. Thanks!

Shawn

12 years ago

Nice, simple, sweet. Everything we've come to expect from you, Andrew! Hope you are doing well. Thanks for the Tut and the sneak peak at upcoming models.

abel

12 years ago

I remember a tutorial before somewhere around 90 above that I saw a plug in called ATOM. Is that the Element? And I even saw the LIVE CAM plug in.. when it will come out?

your the man.

prathamesh

12 years ago

hye ddude where you find live cam plugin please send me link

Michael

12 years ago

could we animate the vehicle in MAX (or whichever 3d app) and export/import an .obj sequence rather than animate it in AE? Or would this slow down render times?

thanks.

Daluz

12 years ago

Michael just take a walk at the site

YES at ELEMENT 1,5 or ELEMENT 1.6 you can import OBJ SEQUENCE.

Daluz

12 years ago

I wish ELEMENT V2 suport importing Alembic (.ABC) or COLLADA (.DAE) animations.

Peter

12 years ago

andrew create a tutorial to create a uv map for 3d obj

Bader Ahmed

12 years ago

The only thing that I wish to see in next version of Element 3D is : Animating individual 3D text Letters.

Hope this would happen

Daluz

12 years ago

But, you can do it.

bijo

12 years ago

Can anyone tell me what is the shortcut for this Fullscreen mode.??

Manny - Lost Angel Films

12 years ago

Hey Kramer,
I noticed when your tutorial requires you to cover the 3D software portion of Elements Integration you usually use C4D and Max as examples. I assume this is done since they are currently so popular and becoming a standard but maybe you should consider adding more Blender examples as well.

My thought process is since Blender is free and easily accessible to your entire customer base, including it amongst your examples would serve as a good reminder or maybe even notice to the newer guys, that you don't need to spend money on additional 3d software to customize or obtain the full benefits from Element 3d or its models. Use Blender for free and buy more stuff from VCP instead

.

Just Food for Thought.

Cya

hitesh

12 years ago

All your work is worth billions of thanks from keen people like me???BIG FAN OF YOU MR Kramer...

L A Webley

12 years ago

Fantastic. Another victory for Video Copilot.

prathamesh

12 years ago

hye andrew sir please relese upcoming 3d model pack trailer please .
and please tell us about your new model packs ,
and hye sir please make something diffrent vfx tutorial without using element 3d . like realistic flying , watter bending etc like that .
i want to learn more vfx .
you are awsome . thanks for every thing .

Jovica

12 years ago

Agree with you dude!

Alexey

12 years ago

Agree too!

Sana

12 years ago

i agree too prathamesh . reply please VC team what is the new model packs and upload more video tutorial of VFX .

Jeremy Shirk

12 years ago

This is going to make so many rigs SO much quicker. THANK YOU sir! (Salutes).

Luis Martin

12 years ago

Though I see it's easy to rig this truck, I think it'll be easier to rig the bike posted in somewhere on this site, jejeje!!!! Greeting from Argentina Andrew and VC Team.

Luis Martin

12 years ago

Any chances of making a Gun Pack? (M-16; M4-A1; AK-47; Barret .50; Rocketlauncher; Desert Eagle; etc) I know you might have already think in it but maybe you make a teaser trailer of the upcoming packs for us the Anxious people!!!! Thanks Andrew and VC Team, keep up your excelent job.

Grant Stevens

12 years ago

this is amazing. Nothing to complain about. Andrew will you be making any furniture bundles?

Luis Martin

12 years ago

In Youtube you have a free interior pack specific for Element 3D, you have to subscribe and then you get the link for download.

Dragon Film Guy

12 years ago

Hey Andrew. Would you happen to have a resource for 360 driving video textures? Like the ones stargate studio makes with their Orbis 360 system? It would be awesome to animate a car while driving, and have the environment moving around it to match.

Ahmed Nadi

12 years ago

thanks Andrew Kramer << I will just Say ((You amazingly Kramer ) ..

sameer sam

12 years ago

thanx Mr. Andrew Kramer for teach Us...

Jaymond

12 years ago

Any chance of a DeLorean in one of the vehicle packs? The way you rotated the wheels in this tutorial made me think of the flying cars in Back to the Future.

Luis Martin

12 years ago

If you want or need, I have a detailed model of Delorean for 3DS Max but is not rigged and has no UV layout, interested? mail me lichimartin@gmail.com

Cro

12 years ago

Search in Web. I found a really Good deloren Model for Free. Sorry i dont remember the Site ????

Anonymous

12 years ago

It???d be nice if you???d throw us a freebie vehicle model when you make these tutorials about vehicles, even if they???re just the low-poly versions. It was really disappointing you didn???t include one with the garage explosion tutorial or the helicopter tutorial.

It's like, why make a tutorial which we can't follow along with?

Remington

12 years ago

Yeah.. because Andrew hasn't given enough freebies over the last 6 years.

It's a free tutorial.. the best available on the web. Do you want a refund? The point isn't just to recreate exactly what Andrew does in his tutorials. It's to learn the techniques/workflow and apply it to your own work.

James

12 years ago

Why don't you comb the site and find all the tons of free sh*t that VCP has given away over the years..not to mention the FREE TRAINNG $$$$$$$...just that train tanker model alone would've cost you a few hundred buck easy on turbosquid.... #ungrateful

Luis Martin

12 years ago

Without excluding what our two friends already said and they are absolutely wright, the meaning of tutorials is that you can follow it with your own models, at this time of your life you should have a library with a few models already, and not base everything VCP does in their footage, you have to aply everything in your own footage, never with the things they provide, that the way you are going to learn. At least, it is what I do and I had great results.

12 years ago

Yea we need free vehicle because is so hard to GOOGLE "free vehicle OBJ" check "http://thefree3dmodels.com" they have all what u need. Just be happy that u have great teacher who is giving his free time from family and friends just so we can learn for free.

Anonymous

12 years ago

It'd be nice if you'd throw us a freebie vehicle model which you make these tutorials about vehicles, even if they're just the low-poly versions. It was really disappointing you didn't include one with the garage explosion tutorial or the helicopter tutorial.

shorey

12 years ago

that's very cool Andrew thanks for tutorial

milton

12 years ago

can u doit a transformer robot mr krammer

Lifelyfe

12 years ago

Your imaginative power is awesome....

This is pretty next generation thinking.. weldone krama!

Satya

12 years ago

hoo i want this SUV model

shaswata indra

12 years ago

Sir would like, if u do another awesome tutorial on metropolitan pack and using this car rig. Something like this car driving through the metropolitan city.

Sanee Ahmed

12 years ago

Exactly... Dear Andrew! please make such tutorial

Toby

12 years ago

Oh Yes!

Clayton Knapp

12 years ago

If you do release a car pack, can you please give it free to those who bought to Bundle for $500, i do not have enough money to purchase another pack, and would very much enjoy using is.

Daluz

12 years ago

Could you please work for free? Or maybe "I already bought a house, can you give me a car?" rsrsrssr Good joke.

Toby

12 years ago

Better!
I buy your Products, please give me a PC which push E3D to the limit for free.

ShahabG

12 years ago

AK!!! YOu finally strted working on the vehicle pack like i requested. Well im sure i wasnt the only one. But i am so happy to hear about that. I can't wait till release.

Darren

12 years ago

Andrew....you tease.....!

akin

12 years ago

videocopilot is the best effect and 3D models thank you Andrew Kremel

Tobi

12 years ago

So exited for the vehicle pack

What will be in there ?
Helis ? Jets ? planes ? maybe even tanks ? or boats ?

Andrew Kramer

12 years ago

We will have various packs for certain types... Helicopters, Planes, Vehicles etc.

tobi

12 years ago

can you already say a releasedate or even releasemonth or something ?

Icemak

12 years ago

Is there any decision on pack upgrade options for these new packs when they come out?

I myself (like I know others), bought the full 1.0 bundle for the $495.. then when Metro came out, had to pay $125 for it even though it was offered in the New full bundle for $100 more (meaning, us who payed full from the beginning paid more than if we had waited for a new bundle, instead of offering a discounted price based on the new bundle savings for your best customers)

James

12 years ago

Which pack is gonna have the oscar meyer wienermobile?

daithi cinneide

12 years ago

Hope they will include some European vehicles in it.

Redo

12 years ago

Andrew, would you consider doing an .OBJ Sequence Pack? Especially for characters and animals.
Or may be a People/Humans Pack, with their animation sequences that focuses on specific occupations?
Ex: Police Officers and their animations. Running, walking, warning etc.
The pack might also include the static models too, so we could rig them manually and create our own animations later.

Sanee Ahmed

12 years ago

Totally agreed with you. I also want the same models but realistic one...

Alex

12 years ago

Please Talk more about exporting settings from 3ds max for example material exporting ,.... to support Element 3d

Sandie

12 years ago

Most Amazing tutorial of E3D ever !! !!!

bobomet

12 years ago

This is great news! What an amazing resource VC is to this art/science!

yaman

12 years ago

Yeah!!!! Finally, my wish has come TRUE!! Video copilot is making a vehicles pack!!!!!! Thanks a lot andrew, u r amazing, u made my day! AWESOME! LEGENDARY!!

Phill

12 years ago

I've noticed your are typing in the effects in the search now, does this mean you are producing something new under the effects > video copilot ?

Andrew Kramer

12 years ago

ha ha

wenluc

12 years ago

maybe he is baking "eggs". He already exposed "bacon" haha

Jovica

12 years ago

HAHAHAHAH... XD

R-CANE

12 years ago

You mean like Quick Matte?

Lawrence

12 years ago

Still patiently awaiting the release of videocopilot 'dragon'

Saw it ages ago in a tut, and always wondered what such an amazingly named plugin would do. Randomly generate particle based dragons???

Matin

12 years ago

But... But I don't have a car... Not in element 3D OR real life.
Can you please give us a present car andrew? There's no car better than YOUR cars. And everyone knows it and you know it

Slogan

12 years ago

any date fixed for vehicle model pack ??

Peter

12 years ago

I really love your passion for the industry. It shows in your products. Passion.

joe

12 years ago

like this tutorial car rig, element 3d very2 cool!!!, andrew ' you are my inspiration?

ahmed almodrs

12 years ago

nice andrew kramer you doing well

IMRAN KHAN

12 years ago

Really Super! MR.Andrew Kramer Go Ahead.

telus iphone 4 unlock

12 years ago

I really like it when folks get together and share ideas. Great
blog, keep it up!

Sameh Ahmed

12 years ago

This is great man, a lot of things will be learned in this tutorial.

Element is the best plug-in for AE for all time.

Waiting your new pack.

B. Moye

12 years ago

"Stop and Search" You're so very witty, Andrew.

Shi

12 years ago

I am a chinese student,and in fact, my English is not well,but I know you are a Genius from your tone of voice in the tutorials.I will support you as always.

Andreas

12 years ago

I see one of your comments that your are going to make a new car model pack
that weel be great becuse we can use metropolitan and that car model pack and make a relestic city!

Joseph Sanchez

12 years ago

Nice! It's gonna be a long night and I'm so glad to have Video Copilot....as....my....copilot. Wait a minute, there has to be a better way to say that. Anyways I just came on here to refresh myself on the orb tutorial and the glow one.... chromatic something... alright, Happy Creating, all night-er starts.... now!

Tural M Memmedzadeh

12 years ago

well..Very amateurfull!fake shadows and primitive animations..but i have hope..it is just my things..i like youre another jobs like action essentials 2..But in element 3d stored very easy graphics

Roy

12 years ago

great tutorial !! but i have a question ? is there any way that i can rig the car in a movement shot ? i mean like track it in the ground ?

12 years ago

Love tutorial

On moment im trying to make model of 3d spider and animate in element 3d

Dave

12 years ago

Very cool! Those fake shadows are not bad for a quick turn around.

Ashley Hakker

12 years ago

Are you gonna hook us up with that Explorer model to use while toying with the tutorial?

F.C.

12 years ago

Thank you Andrew for your time to share your knowledge and talent with us. Very nice and also very useful tutorial - as always. I love Element 3D and AF together. Sometimes, I can not think about anything else but just all those endless possibilities what I want or can do with it. I am currently working on my first Element 3D short movie (very short). I can not wait for the V2.0 - object shadows ??? That will be the cherry on the top of the cake. I am a big fan of your work Andrew and also of your team. Keep it up guys !!!!

barry barrera

12 years ago

perfect. nothing beats Elements not even the new adobe after effects with cinema 4d

sunil thapa

12 years ago

goodmorning i want to drive this

wenluc

12 years ago

Wow the bottom of your car is so detailed! My 3d cars are all flat on the bottom! Even the ones I paid for! Where do you get the cars? or is this your kind of preview for a models pack

Andrew Kramer

12 years ago

This is from an upcoming model pack! We are working hard to make all vehicles very detailed and useful.

wenluc

12 years ago

YES! I knew it!!!! Ok, I just stopped buying models. Videocopilot models are awesome! Are there any plans for a online model shop for Element? Say like turbosquid so we can buy one model instead of a whole pack? because there are some models for example in projectile weapons that I like but I don't want the whole pack. If you know what I mean.

Michael Wentworth-Bell

12 years ago

Really love the calibre of every one of the VCP Model packs, AND the fact that they are often compatible with other apps.

Just a wish/request that you consider 3ds max + Vray support for the models! The .fbx files alone are pretty handy...having the materials ready to go would be nice though!

Imagine if the upcoming vehicle model pack was also rigged for Max..that'd be neat!

Postbusters

12 years ago

yeah....i was waiting for a announcement that says: "Upcoming Model Pack"! Thank you Mr.Kramer. I really cant see those low poly free models anymore!

And the other ones are way to expensive! I rather pay money for a good vcp product and i know it will be worth it! Greetings from Berlin

Warren

12 years ago

totally agree! and glad to read that news! there's no dull day when you have e3d. the police don't know I have all these guns and rockets lying around for the baby to play with.

jona

12 years ago

thank andrew your video are my theac

kazuneda

12 years ago

Nice love this tutorial!!! where can we get the police car? thank ! Andrew

Damian

12 years ago

NEED the vehicle pack NOW!

Thorsten Meyer

12 years ago

Thank you guys for this new Element 3D version and this tutorial)

Thorsten Meyer
www.PhotoMocha.com