ALL DESIGN TOOLS
37. 3D Camera Projection
• Transform a single image into 3D space
• Use light transmission to simulate camera mapping
• Use light transmission to simulate camera mapping
Posted on Jun 25, 2007
905,247
TUTORIAL NOTES:
UPDATE: For After Effects CS3 use a Spot Light instead of a Point Light.
Having trouble viewing this tutorial via YouTube?
Click Here To Watch on Video Copilot
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117 Comments
Amy
8 years ago
When I switched on the button"cast shadow only",the image disappeared at once!
what's the matter with this problem?
what's the matter with this problem?
mdkid
9 years ago
Hi, I can't change the shadow map resolution in AE CC 2015.
Why ?
Have you try?Please tell me how,thank you!!
Why ?
Have you try?Please tell me how,thank you!!
Glennford Brathwaite
9 years ago
Hello!
I´m having a problem with the camera mapping technique described on those tutorials. I want to add more lights to the scene, but as the planes are set to not recieve light, new lights have no effect on the layers.
How can i make this work?
I´m having a problem with the camera mapping technique described on those tutorials. I want to add more lights to the scene, but as the planes are set to not recieve light, new lights have no effect on the layers.
How can i make this work?
chek
10 years ago
hi may i know what is the icon on the right hand side of the rotation tool ? i dont have that tools on my after effect
Igor
10 years ago
I don´t know If it is because I am not native speaker but this is incredibly difficult for me to understand this ADVANCED tutorial.
Mike Sevigny
11 years ago
This tutorial inspired me to take it one step farther and make a tutorial on projecting images/video onto 3D extruded shapes in the new raytrace render engine.
https://vimeo.com/87376234
You're the best Andrew.
https://vimeo.com/87376234
You're the best Andrew.
Lulu
12 years ago
GREAT VIDEOS ! I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE MS PAINT, PHOTOSHOP 7.0 AND ADOBE AFTER AFFECT SO I CAN DO A VIDEO PROJECTION AGAINST MY HOME FOR HALLOWEEN FOR THE KIDS BUT IT HAS OVERWHELMED ME. IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN DO A VIDEO ON HOW TO ADD VIDEO INTO A TRACING OF A HOME USING THESE PROGRAMS. I HAVE THE TRACING BUT IT DOES NOT LET ME INTEGRATE THE VIDEOS INTO IT JUST COLOR. I AM NOT VERY TECH SAVY BUT I WOULD LOVE TO THIS FOR OUR KIDS HERE IN FLORIDA. THEY LOVE THE BATES HAUNT.. I WANT TO DO IT FOR THEM HERE. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN LEND ME.
mikedidthis
12 years ago
I was experiencing the problem with the solids staying white when I moved the camera around, and realized that the issue was my light. In CS6 it has a falloff setting that is not shown in the video. Once I set the falloff to "none" (making the light cast out infinitely far away instead of casting only a specific distance), the problem went away. Hope that's helpful to someone else out there.
Great tuts Andrew. Thanks!!
Great tuts Andrew. Thanks!!
Jj
12 years ago
You're the best Andrew. So much that I'd like to ask if I can join you and your wife in holy matrimony? No homo.
Mitzelle
12 years ago
I couldnt stop myself from commneting, you're awesome and I soecially commented because I loved your little grasping stories that made me imagine at the same time gave me pretty little breaks while I try your tricks on my software here, good one 
Thank you sooo much for this video
Thank you sooo much for this video
EOC student
13 years ago
every time i use the orbit camera tool everything goes white. What did i do wrong
Gawainsonic
13 years ago
Hey thanks I will tell you that I am figuring everything out for a cool video " Twisted Metal Sweet Tooth's Midnight Ride" It will involve a 3D City with footage of a Twisted Metal RC driving around I thought it would be cool and have him destroy cars and stuff so yea it will be amazing
Emilio
14 years ago
Hi! When I try to turn the 'cast shadows' to 'only' there is no such option, just on and off. Could somebody please help me? I'm working with cs5.5
Thanks a lot!
Thanks a lot!
Stephen
14 years ago
Dunno if I'm the only one who had this problem, but in order for the light projection to work make sure your light's "Shadow Diffusion" setting is set to 0px otherwise everything just looks ridiculously blurred out. I only saw too late that Andy's was set to 0px when I went back to when he first added the light. The default setting in CS5 seems to be 53px, which might cause some confusion.
Raja
14 years ago
hey.. nice... i love this site!
but i cant get it that, how to get free image footage! like (wall, castle. etc.)
plz help me..!
thank you
but i cant get it that, how to get free image footage! like (wall, castle. etc.)
plz help me..!
thank you
Steve
14 years ago
Thanks for the tut, Andrew!
One question though: Scaling down the 3d projection layer to match the viewport of the 3d cam is a incorrect approach to "real cammapping" like in an 3D App - because it might differ to the reference image in 2D. Especially if you have a 3D track from elsewhere and not a standard camera you created in AFX iteself. Do you know of any function for a 3D layer to match the comp window entirely, as if it was 2D, by orienting itself in space?
Thanks a lot!!
One question though: Scaling down the 3d projection layer to match the viewport of the 3d cam is a incorrect approach to "real cammapping" like in an 3D App - because it might differ to the reference image in 2D. Especially if you have a 3D track from elsewhere and not a standard camera you created in AFX iteself. Do you know of any function for a 3D layer to match the comp window entirely, as if it was 2D, by orienting itself in space?
Thanks a lot!!
Neal Schneider
14 years ago
amazing! thanks so much ... i've taken this tut and some of your others to create this projected project based on my travels around india & europe.
http://vimeo.com/23378963
http://vimeo.com/23378963
Chris
14 years ago
Hi Andrew
Your tutorials are really helpfull, keep up the good work. Im wondering how I can do a camera fly over, over a 2d image.
Hope you can help me out.
Your tutorials are really helpfull, keep up the good work. Im wondering how I can do a camera fly over, over a 2d image.
Hope you can help me out.
Asif Iqbal
14 years ago
Hey Andrew, god bless u man. U r doing a gr8 gr8 job. Really appreciate ur passion, n u r doing it 4 free!! Hats off. Greatings to Sam Loya too;p
So, here i want to know here that can i use this "3-D camera projection to build a scene similar to scene from matrix i.e. the sub-way station fight scene. I did a sort of time freeze scene with my actors in front of green screen, well not really. I shot them on stage sort of thing and then replaced the rest with green in photoshop. And, for my background i took still images of the location 360' and interpolated it with a software. It was pretty hectic job nd affected my eyes. I wonder how u manage, do you wear contact lenses! Lol
So, that time i didn't had AE n so now that i have i want to do something like that with it. So, let me know if i'm thinking correctly.
Thanx man for all your tutorials.
So, here i want to know here that can i use this "3-D camera projection to build a scene similar to scene from matrix i.e. the sub-way station fight scene. I did a sort of time freeze scene with my actors in front of green screen, well not really. I shot them on stage sort of thing and then replaced the rest with green in photoshop. And, for my background i took still images of the location 360' and interpolated it with a software. It was pretty hectic job nd affected my eyes. I wonder how u manage, do you wear contact lenses! Lol
So, that time i didn't had AE n so now that i have i want to do something like that with it. So, let me know if i'm thinking correctly.
Thanx man for all your tutorials.
israel
14 years ago
thx!!! ive been searching for this, im new in this.
so thanks, grate job.
from mexico
so thanks, grate job.
from mexico
kitkats
14 years ago
blurriness = you need to increase the shadow map resolution in advanced comp settings
Robert
15 years ago
Hey Andrew,
one question about it. If I turn light transmission on, the projection will be sort of blurry. Is that in fact of the AE light rendering? Is there a cance to prevent this?
Best regards Rob
one question about it. If I turn light transmission on, the projection will be sort of blurry. Is that in fact of the AE light rendering? Is there a cance to prevent this?
Best regards Rob
Amit Sahani
15 years ago
really a cool Tutorial..i Learned Very Much From The Andrew Cramer...Thanks A lot Sir
Ahsen
15 years ago
Hi,
Thank you so much for these great tutorials but I have an annoying problem with all the videos, every time I want to go back a few seconds and watch it again, it goes all the way back to the start and I get to watch it a dozen of times just for the sake of that few seconds I missed. It gets really REALLY really annoying after 3 times, believe me Especially when I'm trying to do a course project for the next week. So, is is only me or is there a problem with the video?
Thank you for your help.
Ahsen
Thank you so much for these great tutorials but I have an annoying problem with all the videos, every time I want to go back a few seconds and watch it again, it goes all the way back to the start and I get to watch it a dozen of times just for the sake of that few seconds I missed. It gets really REALLY really annoying after 3 times, believe me
Especially when I'm trying to do a course project for the next week. So, is is only me or is there a problem with the video?Thank you for your help.
Ahsen
Dudah Hustle
15 years ago
I don't know what my problem is, but I am struggling with every tutorial that I attempt. I am familiar with FCP and AE somewhat, but I just can't seem to pull it together when I am trying.
alex
15 years ago
Just stumbled over this. awesome technique.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpSygv94P3A
way more advanced way of creating a projeciton map that you can move around 180 degrees. frickin sweet.
always wondered how it was done. only example ive seen. Just uploaded too. I dropped him a mail and he has only just put this together after alot of requests.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpSygv94P3A
way more advanced way of creating a projeciton map that you can move around 180 degrees. frickin sweet.
always wondered how it was done. only example ive seen. Just uploaded too. I dropped him a mail and he has only just put this together after alot of requests.
rahul chogle
15 years ago
hi thanks to respected sir Mr Andrew i have never expected so much but you have gave us so much creativity i thanks on more time to you for giving a fabulous tutorial from vidiocopiolet and i don't know how to purchase your plug-ins please guide me for that purpose
raul
16 years ago
nice tutorial, but I have a problem and I had this problem before, the thing is, when I go to effects and presets and search for the "grid" effect I don't have that preset.. what can I do?
I really appreciate your help! thank you!...
I really appreciate your help! thank you!...
William Samuel Ravatua-Smith
16 years ago
"Head on, in the wall into my fist, yes..."
Lvin the Humor...
Lvin the Humor...
sVendetta
16 years ago
Very useful and entertaining tuorials!
I really enjoy working with them and learned quite a lot out of them. There is one problem I can't explain: when I project a picture like you showed in tut 39 the picture itself becomes blurry. I really tried to do exactly what you told, but nothing works
Thank you anyway, keep up the excellent work, yours sVendetta
I really enjoy working with them and learned quite a lot out of them. There is one problem I can't explain: when I project a picture like you showed in tut 39 the picture itself becomes blurry. I really tried to do exactly what you told, but nothing works
Thank you anyway, keep up the excellent work, yours sVendetta
Thank God for Andrew!
16 years ago
Hey Andrew,
My Name is Thomas Newman and I just finished my first feature film named "Bong Of The Dead" which is going to be released next year. Im in full time post right now just one guy in his basement doing all your tutorials and learning so much. My friend and I both are using your techniques everyday to make the film all that it can be. When it is done it is going to receive distribution already and I am definitely going to put a huge thank you and plug to you and video co-pilot for all your help. I love all your products and will always buy them as they come out. Im waiting for Pro scores 2 so I can score my film with a professional sound. Love Pro one! Please keep up the great tutorials! You can see the teaser of Bong Of The dead at http://www.bongofthedead.com
Thanks!
My Name is Thomas Newman and I just finished my first feature film named "Bong Of The Dead" which is going to be released next year. Im in full time post right now just one guy in his basement doing all your tutorials and learning so much. My friend and I both are using your techniques everyday to make the film all that it can be. When it is done it is going to receive distribution already and I am definitely going to put a huge thank you and plug to you and video co-pilot for all your help. I love all your products and will always buy them as they come out. Im waiting for Pro scores 2 so I can score my film with a professional sound. Love Pro one! Please keep up the great tutorials! You can see the teaser of Bong Of The dead at http://www.bongofthedead.com
Thanks!
eric
16 years ago
doh, just put it on spotlight like said.
incredible what you can make after 1 tutorial!
takes a long time to render whit high res pics...
incredible what you can make after 1 tutorial!
takes a long time to render whit high res pics...
eric
16 years ago
I have the same problem as Alex in CS3.
I'm trying but no fix yet.
Love the tutorials!
I'm trying but no fix yet.
Love the tutorials!
JSpraya
16 years ago
If the Picture Was a Still video Shot Would this still work ? or
If the picture had a person in it LOOKING at the camra would they continue to look at the camra as it pans ?
(im really not expecting an answer but hey ! if i keep watching these tutorials i might learn myself)
Thanks Man
If the picture had a person in it LOOKING at the camra would they continue to look at the camra as it pans ?
(im really not expecting an answer but hey ! if i keep watching these tutorials i might learn myself)
Thanks Man
David Knight
16 years ago
yeah , andrew - I love all your other tutorials but I agrre with titi on this - this one just seems like a tedious hack. Why not create instead a 3ds max tute which shows how camera projection mapping can achieve this result in a much more intuitive way and far more quickly and with more generaly applicable results. The projection mapping feature of 3ds max is much underused -it involves simply choosing a camera for the mapping and shifting it around to match the geometry being used . I don't understand the need for all this shadow casting stuff - it seems to me just a clever but tedious hack which is not really necessary at all and has limitations and also one can easily forget the steps. Anyways -that's my two bits. keep up the good work!
Alex
16 years ago
Hi, Andrew
I am facing two problems:
#1 at some point I have white picture instead of picture
#2 the same problem exist with a project I downloaded from this tutorial.
How can I fix it?
Thank you!
I am facing two problems:
#1 at some point I have white picture instead of picture
#2 the same problem exist with a project I downloaded from this tutorial.
How can I fix it?
Thank you!
Leo
16 years ago
*Applause*
Dude you make this soooo easy to understand. There's nobody out there who can make tutorials like you do. I absolutely love this and am planning to buy your products
Dude you make this soooo easy to understand. There's nobody out there who can make tutorials like you do. I absolutely love this and am planning to buy your products
pankaj
16 years ago
i am facing a problem in you shadow casting tutorials when we placing light and on casting shadow of text layer and BG layer shadow is display but when we turn of shadow option of bg layer and make it multiply mode there is no shadow display in main image, please send me how can i get it, thanks for tutorials
ken
16 years ago
hey andrew!how did you learn many things about this program?...i want to be like you!...im so dying to be a master like you in after effects...i have a question...in order to be good at after effects, would it be self-discovery or something?...hey..can you do us a favor?can you do more basics for the "newbies" like me?..im looking forward to that...thanks a lot!..more power!...godbless!
Phoenician
16 years ago
Hi Andrew
You are a main source of information for
biggners like me.
THANK YOU
You are a main source of information for
biggners like me.
THANK YOU
Sakari
17 years ago
Excellent tutorial. I'm planning a short movie soon and this method will come in handy with photographs.
edward
17 years ago
hows your throat by the way andrew? do have any tutorial about that little bee sting inside your throat?lols i hope u have that one thanks for the nice tutorial again
Cody
17 years ago
That Was Brilliant. Made me laugh and helped me a lot.
And yes. From now on i will be weary of people Coming in closer to punch me in the face. haha haha
And yes. From now on i will be weary of people Coming in closer to punch me in the face. haha haha
MadSammyboy
17 years ago
I love it. Andrew is a great teacher, and he always interjects the right amount of humor into the videos - it's like I'm working with one of my buddies or something.
Golden, Andrew! Thanks for all you do!
Golden, Andrew! Thanks for all you do!
Mitch Berlingeri
17 years ago
I want all parties involved with this company to know, from the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul....THANK YOU for being so kind and TRULY following the mantra of "Each one, teach one".
Do you realize what you've done for those such as myself? You have re-ignited the passion for filmmaking and art like no other company that sells a product to boot. IT'S OBVIOUS to see the dollar motivating companies and their sites. The attempts at getting to my pocket are NOT EVEN HIDDEN in the way they "HELP" you. At the end of their efforts I'm left discouraged and even more confused than when I began.
But you guys?
Before I even attempt to buy a product you put your arms around me and say "Pssst, Hey...Want to know a secret?" Before you know it, I'm updated in my art and skills-better than any film school has ever taught me and you don't even glance at my wallet or trick me into learning by seeing one part for free and having to buy the other just to complete the lesson.
THIS SITE, YOUR COMPANY, YOU are a template for how IT should be done. (By the way, you are so kind to Adobe...you MUST have a load of inner peace)
IT IS ALREADY KNOWN: This site is the holy grail of sites for filmmakers and the birth of filmmakers alike.
Not Adobe, Not Sony...NOBODY does it like YOU!
I pray you're ALL getting rich and taking over "THE WORLD"....you DO deserve IT!!!
When the THE RENAISSANCE OF THE NEW MILLENIUM IS IN FULL SWING, I WILL HOLD YOU ALL ACCOUNTABLE!
(even Sam Loya) -wink!
Thank you sooooo much for your blood, sweat and tears in doing all of this for artists such as myself. You all are my heroes.
Do you realize what you've done for those such as myself? You have re-ignited the passion for filmmaking and art like no other company that sells a product to boot. IT'S OBVIOUS to see the dollar motivating companies and their sites. The attempts at getting to my pocket are NOT EVEN HIDDEN in the way they "HELP" you. At the end of their efforts I'm left discouraged and even more confused than when I began.
But you guys?
Before I even attempt to buy a product you put your arms around me and say "Pssst, Hey...Want to know a secret?" Before you know it, I'm updated in my art and skills-better than any film school has ever taught me and you don't even glance at my wallet or trick me into learning by seeing one part for free and having to buy the other just to complete the lesson.
THIS SITE, YOUR COMPANY, YOU are a template for how IT should be done. (By the way, you are so kind to Adobe...you MUST have a load of inner peace)
IT IS ALREADY KNOWN: This site is the holy grail of sites for filmmakers and the birth of filmmakers alike.
Not Adobe, Not Sony...NOBODY does it like YOU!
I pray you're ALL getting rich and taking over "THE WORLD"....you DO deserve IT!!!
When the THE RENAISSANCE OF THE NEW MILLENIUM IS IN FULL SWING, I WILL HOLD YOU ALL ACCOUNTABLE!
(even Sam Loya) -wink!
Thank you sooooo much for your blood, sweat and tears in doing all of this for artists such as myself. You all are my heroes.
Maneco
17 years ago
Great tutorial!
i love this transformations from 2d to 3d..also would like to see more 2.5d...there's something magic in that technique!!!
For copying effects,just edit copy---edit paste...
i love this transformations from 2d to 3d..also would like to see more 2.5d...there's something magic in that technique!!!
For copying effects,just edit copy---edit paste...
Thierry
17 years ago
thank you very much
i learn so much from your tutorials
and i also appreciate your sens of humour!
from French west indies
i learn so much from your tutorials
and i also appreciate your sens of humour!
from French west indies
Arnold
17 years ago
Hi!
Please help me!!
I didnt udnerstood how y copied the layer with the fx in the beginning
Looking forward for an answear!
/Arnold
Please help me!!
I didnt udnerstood how y copied the layer with the fx in the beginning
Looking forward for an answear!
/Arnold
fya
17 years ago
hi i have a problem with fast preview at full details not only in this tutorial, here i see sth like loading all comp and then fast preview and at home it's still lagging anyone can help me?
danutz
17 years ago
naissss tutorial keep up the good work ... you teached me lots of things i never imagine i could work it in after effects thanks a lot ... you`re the man ... MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ... just kidding
keep up the good work ... you teached me lots of things i never imagine i could work it in after effects thanks a lot ... you`re the man ... MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ... just kidding
r4z2
18 years ago
Hi,
This method only works for flat floors, is there any way to make a 'hilly' floor? Or does that have to be done in a different program?
This method only works for flat floors, is there any way to make a 'hilly' floor? Or does that have to be done in a different program?
Fresh Tutorials - we use them for class
18 years ago
Keep pumping out the great work, I've learned more about ae from your site than in class. Even our teacher recommends it
wilbart
18 years ago
hello Andrew,
any other person could ve felt he/she can do it but the truth is, no one ever thought of that creative idea and for that kudos and it shows u re creative. Keep it up.
I saw one of ur tutes (3D DEPTH MATTE), been trying to open it. Could u please send to my email.
wilbart
any other person could ve felt he/she can do it but the truth is, no one ever thought of that creative idea and for that kudos and it shows u re creative. Keep it up.
I saw one of ur tutes (3D DEPTH MATTE), been trying to open it. Could u please send to my email.
wilbart
Jordi
18 years ago
hey man I just wanted to say all you make it's very very useful. So thanks for that!
Rodrigo Mattos
18 years ago
Sup ANDREW!!!!!
i´m from brasil and i´ve been learning with you for a few months now. i hatched a tutorial that u put ROLLEBLADES on!
are u a skater?
ooo, before i forget, i was doing this tut and I can´t see the "Projected" layer since I had changed its parameters of lights and shadows.
PLEASEEE HELLP!!!
is it because im using CS3 after?
i´m from brasil and i´ve been learning with you for a few months now. i hatched a tutorial that u put ROLLEBLADES on!
are u a skater?
ooo, before i forget, i was doing this tut and I can´t see the "Projected" layer since I had changed its parameters of lights and shadows.
PLEASEEE HELLP!!!
is it because im using CS3 after?
Dion Rademeyer
18 years ago
Andrew you Rock my man and Congrats on your new born baby.
Man oh man you are the greatest. When I'm done with all these amazing tuts then I'll be the best in South Africa for sure
Thanks a xillion and God bless
Man oh man you are the greatest. When I'm done with all these amazing tuts then I'll be the best in South Africa for sure
Thanks a xillion and God bless
Ahmed Saber
18 years ago
U R My Leader, I've discoverd another trick easy than u did
it also from ur tuts,
ur great, allah bliss u
it also from ur tuts,
ur great, allah bliss u
hugo
18 years ago
Hi Andrew:
I think I've same problem with Basil and EDGE: I can´t see the "Projected" layer since I had changed its parameters of lights and shadows. In the place of the 2D picture I only see white over the other layers. Could it be a problem with Open GL?
Thank you very much, sorry for my English
I think I've same problem with Basil and EDGE: I can´t see the "Projected" layer since I had changed its parameters of lights and shadows. In the place of the 2D picture I only see white over the other layers. Could it be a problem with Open GL?
Thank you very much, sorry for my English
Vishal
18 years ago
Hey Andrew I Have Created My Logo, How Can I Send U
2 Look At My Add. U Are My Guru (Master).
Thankx
Vishal
2 Look At My Add. U Are My Guru (Master).
Thankx
Vishal
Niels
18 years ago
Can this functionality be pasted in Flash so that a viewer can orbit in the 3d space?
EDGE
18 years ago
hahahahahaha..nice dude..realy awesome..
but i have same question with basil..how can i fix the problem?
but i have same question with basil..how can i fix the problem?
Wellington João Franke Junior
18 years ago
Very Nice tutorial's... But, i really need to take a last version of A. F. and a Real Faster and powerfull computer, or I'm nothing, lol... Andrew... You are amazing!
Andrew
18 years ago
I have a picture of our new church. The artist sketch. I need to make this a 3D model of this and a fly around with a camera. all i need to know is how can I make a picture that I have the front, side, and back. how can I connect these and then make the camera go around them. thanks any help would be great and if you E-mail me I can get you the drawings I have. THanks
Drew
Drew
Basil
18 years ago
Hello Andrew!
Thanks for you lessons, they're great!
I've made this lesson, it's OK, but i have some bug - when i move camera, useing Z axis or X-Y, the screen turns to white and only when i stop the camera positioning it turns to the picture again. The same trouble in the next lesson too. I've downloaded your peojects and tested 'em, it's ok, but my stil turn to white.
How can i fix this problem?
Thanks for you lessons, they're great!
I've made this lesson, it's OK, but i have some bug - when i move camera, useing Z axis or X-Y, the screen turns to white and only when i stop the camera positioning it turns to the picture again. The same trouble in the next lesson too. I've downloaded your peojects and tested 'em, it's ok, but my stil turn to white.
How can i fix this problem?
Archie
18 years ago
Holy guacamole! I just discovered Andrew & video copilot and I'm half way through the tutorials. Each one keeps knocking my socs off. I used to consider myself fairly crafty with AE but now I feel like a schmuck! I hate Andrew! He must be stopped! Whoops! I've said too much...
Really, thank you for all you're doing for us! And congrats on becoming a daddy!
Really, thank you for all you're doing for us! And congrats on becoming a daddy!
