The element Scene Setup features a custom user interface that allows you to assign 3D Objects into an output group. Object groups are like layers, giving users the ability to animate or control 3D objects independently through the Plug-in Effects Controls. This is useful when you want multiple Objects to animate or interact in the same scene with independent controls. The user interface also serves to extrude Shapes and create custom materials.
IMPORT MODELS
Click to select obj or c4d 3d model files into your scene.




CREATE PRIMATIVES

Click to select various primitive models to add to your scene. Each object has transform options to edit the shape settings.

EXTRUDE
Extrudes text or masks loaded into the Custom Texture slot in the Element effect panel in After Effects.



ENVIRONMENT

Click to adjust brightness of the Environment map or load a different .png, .jpeg, or .hdr file environment image.

PREVIEW WINDOW

Allows you to manipulate 3D objects inside your scene. You can position objects and see the effects of adjusting material settings here.

PERSPECTIVE

Changes the 3d view from Perspective to Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front, or Back. This is helpful when positioning objects or anchor points.

SHADED

Changes the render mode to Wireframe or Point. This is for preview purposes, to render change to Wireframe in the materials settings or the Output settings in the effect pane for Point. 

CAMERA TOOL AND SELECTION TOOL

The Camera Tool allows you to rotate around the scene with a left click + drag and select anchor point gizmos to position/rotate/scale objects. The Selection Tool does not let you rotate around the scene, but you can select different objects by clicking them with the tool, as well as position/rotate/scale. Both tools you can pan with a middle mouse click + drag.

POSITION/ROTATION/SCALE

The bottom middle buttons (left image) change the anchor point gizmo so that you can move, rotate, or scale an object in the preview window.

AXIS LOCK

The last tool on the right allows you to move the anchor point gizmo in the scene setup. This helps when you want an object to rotate from a specific position. 

PREVEIW LIGHTING
The dropdown has many different lighting setups to test what your models look like before heading to after effects.
ENVIRONMENT
Turn on or off the Evironment Map that is loaded, in the background. If you have it off you can use the color picker to change the background color. Model Browser
The model browser shows available 3D models that are ready to use with a single click. The model browser is helpful for organizing and finding models quickly without having to open them individually. Place 3d model files at Documents/VideoCopilot/Models to be able to select them from the Model Browser.
Material Browser
The Material Browser has two tabs, Scene and Presets. The Scene tab is materials that are being used currently or have been created. They can be clicked on and adjusted, assigned to models by right clicking or dragging, duplicated, and deleted.

The Presets tab are pre-made materials and bevels that are either default from Element, from the Pro Shaders material pack, or custom saved by the user. You can also access saved Bevel Presets and Evironment Maps.


ENVIRONMENT MAPS
You can also access Environment Maps from the browser if the files are placed at Documents/VideoCopilot/Materials/Environments
  Scene Tab
The Scene panel is where all of your models will be. This is where you will be able to click on your models to adjust the model settings in the Edit window by clicking on the model name. You can set the group number, whether it is a particle or replicator shape, put materials in slots, and rename, duplicate, or save bevel presets. 



MESH MODE
The Mesh Mode button at the bottom (four cubes icon) will change the scene so you have access to all individual piece of the object. You can set specific pieces to Aux Channels for complex animations.  


  The Edit and Scene panel work very hand in hand. You can click on the model name in the Scene panel to adjust the model settings in the Edit plane such as the Anchor Point and Model and Surface Mapping. 


Click on the material thumbnails in the Scene panel to adjust the material settings in the Edit panel such as adding texture maps from files, or adjusting reflection.