131. 3D Truck Composite
• Composite a 3D truck into live action with 3D camera track
• Generate fake shadows and match scene lighting with Element 3D
• Generate fake shadows and match scene lighting with Element 3D
Posted on Jul 31, 2012
Destruction PLAYLIST
Blow stuff up and Smash it!
54:50
Train Compositing
Create and Composite a train crashing inside After Effects & 3Ds Max
39:07
Tanker Destruction
Fragment Parts of Train in 3DS Max with Rayfire
26:24
Fume FX Explosion
Use Fume FX to simulate real explosion
42:00
Blast Wave
Build a realistic explosion using Action Essentials 2
33:42
3D Truck Composite
Composite a 3D truck into live action with 3D camera track
33:00
Grenade Throw
Composite a super-slow motion grenade to live footage
49:00
Mid-Air Emergency!
Composite footage into Airplane interior
27:00
Procedural Crumble
Create a procedural crumbling effect using Shatter Effect
46:00
Disintegration
Build a furious procedural Disintegration effect in AE
TUTORIAL NOTES:
191 Comments
HASSAN SANI
6 years ago
I am a beginner in visual, adobe after and adobe primer, which laptop can use this software's in easily to editing.
Matt
7 years ago
Tracking problems?
VERY IMPORTANT STEP! 9:36 - Be sure to select Make Comp Size. The solid does not cover the screen by default. It's easy to miss and will cause problems keeping your model from moving.
VERY IMPORTANT STEP! 9:36 - Be sure to select Make Comp Size. The solid does not cover the screen by default. It's easy to miss and will cause problems keeping your model from moving.
Allison
8 years ago
i love these, seriously this what have been searching for. thanks so much guys God bless you
Rifqi
8 years ago
Such an exciting tutorial. mastermind at graphics designing. Thank you very verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry much Andrew Kramer
Jaison j paul
8 years ago
I am a beginner in visual effects. i need to buy a laptop, can u gv a good specification for a good laptop no much costly
mike hughes
8 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4nJ6O1mHsE Never could have done this without the giudance from this site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOvgJWloaZc quick overview of steps.
Then .... first project with Element 3d...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRujEXF4yhE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOvgJWloaZc quick overview of steps.
Then .... first project with Element 3d...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRujEXF4yhE
mike hughes
8 years ago
Ok I did it and it worked out awesome. https://youtu.be/EOvgJWloaZc
Final is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4nJ6O1mHsE.
I simply can't believe how good these tutorials are; they're amazing. I strongly recommend anyone to get Elements 3d if they haven't already. I use Cinema 4d lite as well but the fast rendering with Andrew's plug in is a game changer. ~Mike Hughes
Final is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4nJ6O1mHsE.
I simply can't believe how good these tutorials are; they're amazing. I strongly recommend anyone to get Elements 3d if they haven't already. I use Cinema 4d lite as well but the fast rendering with Andrew's plug in is a game changer. ~Mike Hughes
MikeGem
9 years ago
It would be great if you would post what camera was used and focal length on all tutorials, I'm trying to learn Syntheyes and it would be much appreciated, Thanks for the tuts either way though.
jef
9 years ago
Hi Andrew, I'm French, so sorry for my english.
Thanks for all your amazing products, i love them !!
SO i'm trying to do some shoots like your blowing Truck. So i follow all the steps you described in your Tuto, but my truck is always floating above the road.
I did check the alignment from bottom. Can you help me.
Best regards
Thanks for all your amazing products, i love them !!
SO i'm trying to do some shoots like your blowing Truck. So i follow all the steps you described in your Tuto, but my truck is always floating above the road.
I did check the alignment from bottom. Can you help me.
Best regards
zeeshan
9 years ago
Hey andrew.. hope you are doing fine.. i am one of your tutorial lover.. i just wanted to request that would you please do some tutorials to elaborate Cinema 4d.. pliss
PatBr
10 years ago
So I have a still video of an empty plate on the floor, almost 100% stabilized. I need to put an .obj I made with 3ds max inside the plate and animate it, somehow.
I have AE CS5, how can I do it?
PLEASEEE
I have AE CS5, how can I do it?
PLEASEEE
birch
10 years ago
this site takes ages to load a video.. i cant watch it.. other sites loads instantly
shahid
10 years ago
your all work is so proudly helpful for us .......after six year follow your tutorial i am now best after effects maker in my country.....and so happy to say you are the best in this world......spacial thanks........i love you.
Evil Dave
10 years ago
Does the "Set Ground Plane and Origin"option with CC 2014 Track Camera make some of the steps (e.g. rescaling the Null object to constrain the tracked null points within the after effects viewing area and rotating the null to place the 3D tracked nulls on the same viewing plane) obsolete?
sid
11 years ago
hey andrew i was wondering if you can do a tutorial about jet pack with a plane landing on a the 2d runway picture with the shadow of the plane casting on the runway i tried it but got stuck could not figure it out don't know if it is possible with element 3d or can you figure other way plz
christian199212
11 years ago
Hi Guys
I have followed this tutorial 3 times now and cant seem to get my vehicle to stick in position. And no I dont have auto keyframe on. HELP PLEASE????
THANKS
I have followed this tutorial 3 times now and cant seem to get my vehicle to stick in position. And no I dont have auto keyframe on. HELP PLEASE????
THANKS
Parker
11 years ago
Im sure I would find it somewhere, but where can I find some car models, like the one that you used in the video?
Dorthea
11 years ago
Having a problem with the vehicle. I put my vehicle in the scene, once the video starts my vehicle moves away. It's very subtle but noticeable. Also, when I add a 3D model & select top view the camera goes to the top view but the 3D model stays on a side view of the model. I don't know if these two problems are linked in anyway. There are no key frames on anything but the 3D track camera and auto key is not on.
Jason
12 years ago
Can any one help I'm having problem, when I add a 3D model & select top view the camera goes to the top view but the 3D model stays on default view or a side view of the model. It does not matter what View I go to the Model does not change views with camera. like in the armor truck video when Andrew goes to top view it shows the top of the model, what i'm I doing wrong.
Dylan
12 years ago
I am only 14, so I just bought your action essentials, but I cannot afford 3d elements, what should I do about this effect.
Mark
12 years ago
Hey Andrew, thank you very much for all of the great tutorials. I'm a film student and you help me a lot to get better and better!
Please make a specific tutorial for the explosion part, how you blow up the truck
Please make a specific tutorial for the explosion part, how you blow up the truck
Rahul Tiwari
12 years ago
Hi Andrew :
Ur tutorials are really amazing ..... thnx soooooooooo much
This tutorial is super helpful...especially the scene scaling for easier workflow. This makes my life so much easier. Thanks!
Ur tutorials are really amazing ..... thnx soooooooooo much
This tutorial is super helpful...especially the scene scaling for easier workflow. This makes my life so much easier. Thanks!
Tyler
12 years ago
The info on updating the position of the trackers was my favorite part of this tutorial. That is such a big help! Thanks!
raj gupta
12 years ago
I think the problem both of you are having is that you left the keyframe button on, this makes it so after effects automatically adds keyframe to your videos and objects... to turn this off find the stopwatch button close to the motion blur button
Billy
12 years ago
Hi guys am I missing something here, when I put my vehicle in the scene, once the video starts my vehicle moves away, not much but certainly noticable? where as in Mr Kramer's vehicle keeps put in the same spot when the video plays.. any help would be much much appreciated
trevor vanvleck
12 years ago
You should release your jet and helicopter and all ur car models in a "vehicle model pack"
Jesper
12 years ago
I a following along exactly as the video but....nothings is responding as it should. When I scale down the nulls they totally goes missing and also they jump around alot. Well I guess that´s why not all work with FX huh?
Ken Pond
12 years ago
Having a bit of trouble with the tracking technique.. as far as lining up the nulls on an axis. I follow the step carefully. But, I think I might be missing something.
Fred Sprinkle
12 years ago
This tutorial is super helpful...especially the scene scaling for easier workflow. This makes my life so much easier. Thanks!
Toby Fairchild
12 years ago
Great tutorial as usual. Very clear talk-down and walk-through as usual also, however I'm a little at a loss to understand at around 5:40 when you shrink the null point distance to fit more into the center of the scene how the points stay aligned to the track that was done. As you demonstrated in the video, they obviously do still stay in position relative to the track after doing this. Given, I am new to 3D tracking but this particular concept perplexes me. Seems counter intuitive to me but yet there it is. Thank you for all the beyond expert tutorials and insight into how to use AE effectively.
Keenan
12 years ago
Hi Andrew Following this Tut But for Some Reason when i Add a Nul And Parent the Selected Nuls they do not Show When Returning to the active camera ???Help Please new to 3D
Gustavo
12 years ago
Hi Andrew, tryin g to this Great tuto, I'got a problem, On my CS6 after tracking and triangle, the image went black,Can see everything but the Garage's image. Will preciate if u' can help me, pretty sure that have to be some cinfiguration, wotched out carefully your video and everything seems to be rite.... thanks anyway and congratulations u'r too skilled and FUNNY too.
Sam Golding
13 years ago
on the explosion you should have added a zpass so that the explosion didn't look like it was just behind the truck. Ironically you were the one who taught me about zpass! hahah. Awesome tutorial! thanks again Mr. Kramer
Tren Sett Films
13 years ago
Looking for a good after effects editor to collaborate on music video projects with. To see my work go to TrenSettFilms.com or Youtube.com/TrenSettCeo. My work is good but I want to take it to the next level.
tonioalucema
13 years ago
wow... this totally fixed my tracking issues... you my man, are doing a fine job!
yair bet
13 years ago
Hi I have After Effects CS4 and longer and installed the plugin element 3d and when I try to use in CS4 I get an error warning notice and remove the filter blocks my cs4 help please
Ben
13 years ago
Hi, I followed the tutorial but whenever I add A 3d object, it is not in perspective to the ground!!!
Tbox
13 years ago
Im a little new to the 3d world, when I add in my element in it just seems float around, the shot im trying to add it to pans slowly to the left, I followed the instructions closely and it still dosnt work
Please help!!!
Please help!!!
chris
13 years ago
problem with camera approaches the impossible to acquire the rendered image help me please
DarkMystStudios
13 years ago
I cant believe how popular this guy has become, although his videos don't seem to get that many views compared to other videos, but thats because there arnt that many people who film, each video gets about 20000 views each, but if you ask any pro or semi-pro film maker they will say the video copilot is one of the best resources a filmmaker can have. I think i have even seen (or hear) his products in high budget films, there such good quality. This guy has done so much for the film industry. Its awesome!
Maged Mahmoud
13 years ago
Hi Andrew :
Ur tutorials are really amazing ..... thnx soooooooooo much
i need a little help
how to mask an a move item like moved man or a car ....
thnx again so much
Ur tutorials are really amazing ..... thnx soooooooooo much
i need a little help
how to mask an a move item like moved man or a car ....
thnx again so much
Alan
13 years ago
Hi, Andrew!
This tutorial is amazing! I like when the things explode. kkkk
Visit Brazil!!!
This tutorial is amazing! I like when the things explode. kkkk
Visit Brazil!!!
patrick
13 years ago
i'm fairly good and this camera tracking stuff, and can get my element model to lock into the scene fine, except when the camera movement is like in this tutorial, on the z axis, or forward in the scene. my model slides when i do this. i've done the tutorial step by step and on my own clips but the model slides every time the camera makes that movemet. any ideas would be helpful.
Lagu Stephen
13 years ago
Hi Andrew, Why do you put so much effort in Max and not Maya, Why dont you do something for music users. We are waiting.
From South Sudan
From South Sudan
gregorio
13 years ago
beautiful .. it was time to insert elements in 3d after effect! the only problem is that I do not have money for this plugins ... andrew me gifts please: (
luis felipe
13 years ago
hi andrew, i just made a car in max and exported the obj for element, but i cannot simulate the car paint shader in element could you help me, sorry for my english
appreciate for your atention
appreciate for your atention
sky
13 years ago
hey... I don't have CS6 or the camera tracker plugin, but i do have blender, which does have a 3d tracking feature, but it requires the focal length, sensor width and pixel aspect ratio of the camera. I don't think that you said any of that, and i was wondering if you had that info.
mrwang2323
13 years ago
its so important to know you NEVER move null object to line them up...but to rotate camera...Andrew thank you so much...
kago
13 years ago
This is very helpful. I can learn more about 3d tracking, composting and color correction from just this tutorial.
william rajpoot (india )
13 years ago
sir m big fans of urs,no one can like u n hads of ur thoughts....thnx to tell us & show urs tutorials
bob
13 years ago
what the heck? the truck looks like it was made in some 4d computer software. not shiny enough.
Tony...Australia
13 years ago
As always anticipated from frame zero...Sensational composition tutorial here Andrew..thank-you!!! I own all of VC's products and use them frequently..will most definitely be adding the oh so mind numbing.. Element 3D bundle to my kit 
Cheers...Tony

Cheers...Tony
Shawn Anderson
13 years ago
Excellent work as always Andrew, but now I'm going to have to murder the families piggy banks to get all the plugins!
faizan
13 years ago
hi Andrew this is faizan ....I m from Paksitan....Plz Do let me know the easiest tips of motion graphics animation..
faizan
13 years ago
you always give us new thinking with the help of your tutorials....its amazing tutorial as usuall..
wxY
13 years ago
My English is not good
Because I am a Chinese boy
AK where do I want to ask you 3D camera tracker this plug-in can be downloaded to
Because I am a Chinese boy
AK where do I want to ask you 3D camera tracker this plug-in can be downloaded to
wxY
13 years ago
My English is not goodBecause I am a Chinese boyAK where do I want to ask you 3D camera tracker this plug-in can be downloaded to
Jeje
13 years ago
Andrew, always amazing products and tutorials.... i was wondering if you're planning on releasing another 3D model pack that would include stuff like.... planes, trains and automobiles.... like this truck in this tutorial.
euclid
13 years ago
Excellent plugin.
I've been waiting to include 3D models in AFX for a long time.
Andrew did it. And more....
Bravo
I've been waiting to include 3D models in AFX for a long time.
Andrew did it. And more....
Bravo
Ryan
13 years ago
Thanks so much! I'm glad to see using this plugin for cg looks so good. Can't wait to get my hands on it.
giloz
13 years ago
u made me so scared u said...so lets just jump in and ((SHOW YOU)) ehehheehhehe scary sound at 14:35
BAZUKA
13 years ago
Hey Andrew what you do - it's just very best.
But here I am, what I want to ask, can this be done in Adobe After Effects CS 4, I just have 32 system. And you, CS 6 for 64 systems.
Even if Andrew did not write, can anyone knows how to do something like that.
thank you
But here I am, what I want to ask, can this be done in Adobe After Effects CS 4, I just have 32 system. And you, CS 6 for 64 systems.
Even if Andrew did not write, can anyone knows how to do something like that.
thank you
PuneyGuney
13 years ago
Hey Andrew, I'm having trouble with making the object stick to the surface using the foundry tracker, could you please help!
Mike Beard
13 years ago
Can you make a basic motion tracking tutorial for element. This one was kind of confusing to me. And The a-bomb has a problem when I try to import it into after effects. Please reply... Thanks
Manuel
13 years ago
Holy #%&!. This is amazing! Your tutorials are the best!
Andrew "The Boss man" Kramer.
Andrew "The Boss man" Kramer.
Herbert Vieira
13 years ago
Dude, we were concerned about their lack of video lessons ...
Thank God you came back with exciting news. The 3D element is fantastic!
Thanks again for your work! I want more success, thanks!
Thank God you came back with exciting news. The 3D element is fantastic!
Thanks again for your work! I want more success, thanks!
Steve Sharkey
13 years ago
Excellent video and what a difference that shaddow makes! I'd really like to understand the theory behind the setup of the tracking data (4:50-8:00) I feel this is key to making it easy to just drop 3d objects in there (like 12:25-13:10) and have them move (or should that say stay still!) with the scene. I seem to be doing this the hard way but am the kind of person who only remembers things once I understand the theory behind it.
Jasper
13 years ago
You sir are a genius! There cannot be more people like you in the world who knows all this stuff!?
Jonathan
13 years ago
Hey, I could sure use a tutorial on using an outside model. You covered it super briefly but as I download free models to play with, I'm finding the process of associating the bump maps to be seriously challenging! Thanks.
Robin
13 years ago
Anybody notice the effect LiveCam at 9:39? Never seen that one before, new plugin coming up?
Stephen
13 years ago
When I attempt to use the Element 3D Plugin while following this video, and apply it to the Solid Layer, the program freezes for a second, and then says "Adobe After Effects CS6 has stopped working". Does anyone know what is wrong, and if so, can you help me?
Thanks
Thanks
Amar
13 years ago
great tutorial sir
this tutorial solves my many problems
related to creating realistic shadow, and tracking too
thanks a ton sir....
this tutorial solves my many problems
related to creating realistic shadow, and tracking too
thanks a ton sir....
VINCE
13 years ago
ANDREW!! your awesome in blowing other mind! great job and hope there gonna be VIDEO COPILOT around the world for those who really love VFX!!!
more power!
more power!
Lumkile
13 years ago
Listening to other video tutorials really sucks compared to Andrew Kramer. Everyone else sounds bored to death with their own stuff. Kramer keeps it fresh, funny AND more importantly, straight to the point. He doesn't explain anything in 2 minutes when 10 seconds would suffice.
Oh, effin superb tut by the way! As usual
Oh, effin superb tut by the way! As usual
Mutant Worm
13 years ago
3D has come to after effects. Man, I wish I had projects that needed this crap. I will have to find a way to justify watching all these tutorials. The things you've come up with over the years, Andrew, they've been mind-boggling. Obviously, there's no end to it. Thank you so much for getting me into animation as a profession. I'm having a blast.
Josh
13 years ago
Hey, I'm trying to learn this with extruded text instead of a model but for some reason once I have set up my text inside element and click ok to bring back to AE it does not show up. I followed along exactly to the tutorial a couple times now up till that point - what am I doing wrong ? Cheers
jared
13 years ago
Awesome! Thanks Andrew, this answered a lot of questions I had for integrating the camera tracker. Great work
Peter
13 years ago
Nice cheat that works well in this case, but the ideal solution would be to create cameras in the exact same positions as the lights, then render a B/W shadow pass from each of those perspectives, blur that (more blur the bigger the area of the light source and the closer it is to the ground plane), and then project it back onto the ground plane through the exact same cameras. If you want to shadow not just solids but other 3D objects, unfortunately that would have to be implemented via OpenGL Shadow Maps and multi-pass rendering inside the plugin itself, there is probably no easy way to do that manually.
Alex
13 years ago
You should put these models up for us to use.
Or at least make another Element pack with vehicles...
It could be compatible with the projectile weapons pack.
Or at least make another Element pack with vehicles...
It could be compatible with the projectile weapons pack.
Hamza
13 years ago
Hey its truely amazin..Hats off andrew...really learn lots of thing from you and bydavaye ELEMENT RoCKS...
SexyGirl8
13 years ago
Hi Andrew. Good work and great tutorial .
why don't you include the 3d obj. files in the tutorials to it would be great , { The Helicopter / Armored Truck } or you going to release another pack transportation pack or what . I like those 3d models where can i buy. { Good quality obj. the Kramer way }
why don't you include the 3d obj. files in the tutorials to it would be great , { The Helicopter / Armored Truck } or you going to release another pack transportation pack or what . I like those 3d models where can i buy. { Good quality obj. the Kramer way }
tkipnis
13 years ago
I was really pleased to see that this could be done (or at least first attempted) with the camera tracking within AE. I'm amenable to buying additional plug ins, but I'm glad I can check this out with Element and the tools I already have. Lots to explore within Element. Thanks AK for continuing to pull back the curtain!
DMKMedia
13 years ago
That has really helped with my serface tracking. My be my stuff won't slide about as much.
mst20007777777
13 years ago
hello! the truck was certainly full , the rear wheels is lower than normal. I don't know what they were doing in a parking garage with full car.
Bob K
13 years ago
That was really helpful.
I currently own 3DS Max, and was close to replacing it with Cinema 4D.
But now I can make simple models with 3DS Max (or buy nicer ones to customize), and do everything I wanted C4D to do in AE with Element 3D.
I never expected Element to be this versatile.
What a bargain!
I currently own 3DS Max, and was close to replacing it with Cinema 4D.
But now I can make simple models with 3DS Max (or buy nicer ones to customize), and do everything I wanted C4D to do in AE with Element 3D.
I never expected Element to be this versatile.
What a bargain!
Blackgate
13 years ago
Simply amazing,... - The trick of the shadow, i would have never thought of that using Element that way
Cay
13 years ago
Great tut! how would you animate the shadow when the truck explodes and raises off the ground?
julian
13 years ago
awesome tutorial!, i really would like to learn perfecly those impresive things that you do here!
youre the best, if i become famous, i will say thanks to you and your team in my speech, haha! take care!
youre the best, if i become famous, i will say thanks to you and your team in my speech, haha! take care!
Chet Tucker
13 years ago
So you can add other effects on top of the Element 3D layer? That's cool... wonder what it would look like to toy with displacement on this example..maybe warp the truck some?...hmmmm.
klaus brandenburg
13 years ago
All in all a great tutorial. Best information I took out of this was how to reposition those far away reference points. That's the Kramer way
But also a great approch to show some of the complainers what E3D is capable of.
Well, where's light there's shadow so I also have some critique. Objects model would have been nice to play with. I would liked to see the Kramer way of dealing with those anchor points and I missed on other easy way to add realistic shadows
Appart from this great job as always. Keep on rocking.
But also a great approch to show some of the complainers what E3D is capable of.Well, where's light there's shadow so I also have some critique. Objects model would have been nice to play with. I would liked to see the Kramer way of dealing with those anchor points and I missed on other easy way to add realistic shadows

Appart from this great job as always. Keep on rocking.
David
13 years ago
Another great tutorial (and sales promo for Element too \^^/ )
Whilst I was watching this and saw your Uber detailed method to get a shadow of the truck, I was left realising I would NEVER be this good at After Effects. Without you telling me where to look and how to do it, my poor brain would not be able to figure out that method of extracting a shadow.
I'd have gone for method one and called it quits
Anyway, another great tutorial and further reasurrance that I'm buying the right stuff
Whilst I was watching this and saw your Uber detailed method to get a shadow of the truck, I was left realising I would NEVER be this good at After Effects. Without you telling me where to look and how to do it, my poor brain would not be able to figure out that method of extracting a shadow.
I'd have gone for method one and called it quits

Anyway, another great tutorial and further reasurrance that I'm buying the right stuff
Shuva
13 years ago
Great Work But I think it's possible to create something like By only Using 3D MAX.
Jeremy Garcia
13 years ago
Awesome! Completely amazed by Element and that in conjuction with AE CS6...man I can't wait to composite!
Arnaldo DÃaz
13 years ago
Me parece sorprendente no me esperaba que quedara tan bien. felicitaciónes.
ALL DESIGN TOOLS

