3D Shapes with Shape Layers | No Plugins | After Effects Tutorial

Impossible to create a 3D Cube, 3D Sphere or a 3D Pyramide just with Shape Layers in After Effects?
And without a 3D Stroke plugin?
This really cool tip from ​⁠‪@motiondesignschool‬ inspired me to create 3D Objects with shape layer strokes only:
• After Effects Tips & T...
Although path points can only be moved in 2 dimensions I figured out a cheat to put them into 3D space.
The good thing about it is that you can still use the path operators like ‘wiggle path’, ‘trim path’ or ‘repeater.
► Download the free After Effects Project File here:
michaelponch.gumroad.com/l/3D...
►► Join me on Patreon for MORE TEMPLATES ◄◄
/ michaelponch
Content:
00:00 Intro 3D Shapes
01:30 How to create a 3D Cube in After Effects
05:38 Variations with 3D Strokes
07:22 The Secret: toComp expression
08:39 How to create a 3D Pyramide in After Effects
09:10 How to create a 3D Sphere in After Effects
11:49 Using Path Operators
12:46 Problems & Fixes / Outro
Outro
Enjoy watching!
#aftereffects #motiondesign #3danimation

[@ryovanny]

I love it when we can just produce works using simple techniques such as this~ Thanks for the tut~Awesome!

[@wilsongalucho1142]

Awesome tutorial with energy, clear straight to the point :D!

[@jacob_resch]

You're killing it with the tutorials! So good! 🔥

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, Jacob 😊. I appreciate it.

[@LucioBazzalo]

This is really great, Thanks for shore your knowledge!

[@passion_proh-jects]

BEAUTIFUL! Thank you!

[@CreatorDrews]

A clear and concise tutorial!! I was getting the hang of it half way through :)

[@dansan1481]

Thanks Michael ,your video a big help for me

[@millthor]

Awesome effect! Thanks for the great tutorial!

[@AmadeusStyle]

Awesome tutorials, keep up the good work!

[@cedricricher]

that's CRAZY smart dude! Thank you!

[@decorjp3d134]

very instructive and useful, thanks

[@rahuldeshpande9997]

This is genius! Thank you Michael!

[@donross7820]

Great tutorial! I learned a ton of great techniques which I can't wait to apply to Google Earth Studio. Thank you so much

[@SaantyDraw]

Absolutly fanastic, thank you so much

[@gigganigga-od5vd]

The intro is so smooth broo 😳😳

[@amantv9326]

You literally created a new technique for HUDs...man...I just got a new lesson..AE was built to do Something it was never built for 🔥🔥... you are a G.O.A.T ❤️❤️

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks man 😎. I’ve always been bugged by the fact that I had to go to Cinema4D even for simple 3D tasks. So I thought there must be another way 😊

[@alanvidal5116]

I just wanna learn even more now- it looks so cool o.O

[@FusionGraphics]

Wow! This is super cool! Thanks so much for this incredible workaround!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome and also thank you very much for watching my tutorial 😊

[@DropDailyGems]

cool vids! KZbin recomended to me 12 Aug 23, keep up the gr8 work mike

[@dazmocball]

i love this channel already, you explain everything so good keep it up!!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you, appreciate it 😊

[@cmorley87]

Very cool! Can't wait to try this!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊 I hope the steps I explain are understandable

[@Lindarekcsgo]

thank you, it worked for me

[@daaalin6622]

You can also switch the 3d renderer to cinema 4d in composition settings and now after you put your shape layer in 3d you have an option so you can extrude and have depth

[@zohaibmalik819]

Wow. So cool. 🤩 Really amazing tutorial. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see more.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, man. Yeah, there are definitely more tutorials in the pipeline 😎

[@zohaibmalik819]

@@MichaelPonch Cool man. That's nice to hear. :)

[@JeremiahTrue]

This is fantastic, great tutorial and technique

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much 😊

[@bharatgadalay2651]

This is THE BEST TUTORIAL OF CREATION OF OBJECTS IN AFTER EFFECTS!!!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much 😊

[@tanxboyyy]

Brother Thank you for taking time to create and posting this tutorial I really appreciate it as a learner I was eagerly waiting for this

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 🙏

[@tanxboyyy]

Sire this honour is mine 🙏

[@reptilas3087]

Increíble video ❤❤

[@showtimesparks]

it's great man

[@comsci]

Amazing tutorial ! Thx a lot ! 🎉

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much & welcome 😎

[@roflchopter123]

For those that have a problem with points follow nulls, a case where the nulls appear to be offset from the points they should be in, correct the Position property of the Transform Rectangle to 0,0 (not the position of the shape layer but of the rectangle that is the content of it).

[@MichaelPonch]

Good point. I guess the offset happens when you draw the rectangle manually. Double-clicking on the rectangle-tool centers it automatically 😊

[@oddworldhindi8913]

Extremely premium content thank you so much is all I can say🙏

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much 😊. If you are interested you can also watch my latest 3D Stroke Tutorial which is based on this video. Cheers from Germany 😎

[@user-nz8lg3sh4o]

it's perfect man

[@bryzr]

Amazing tuts man keep it going!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much, Brian 😎. There definitely more tutorials to come.

[@mr.arshed6053]

I've never seen such techniques along with a great teacher.. A new subscriber here

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks for subscribing to my channel 😊. There’s a new tutorial that might be interesting for you 😎

[@Totorus]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 🤗

[@WiLDeveD]

You are Awesome man !!!! Thanks and keep going...

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, man 😊. There are definitely more tutorials in the pipeline 😎

[@woodwick4684]

I'm saving this video for later because it's too advanced for me right now but great video!

[@ooasso]

Whouaouuuuuuuu! fabulous ! 🤩

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@elianelamoglia8260]

Amei!!! + 1 inscrita!!!

[@robertkarwat2721]

Hello. Thank you for your tutorials, I really enjoy them and your naturally positive person. What I really like about this technique: 1. Precision!!! 2. Less 2D-like strokes than with the "traditional method", where shapes are 3D enabled. 3. Possibility to enable "offset paths", unlike the method with a masked solid with the "stroke effect" applied. There is an easy way around it (just change the mask size), but still. Problems I've noticed with this technique: 1. Can't use fill, because it's "fake 3D" and the order of layers affect the projection. The layer placed on top will always hide layers beneath. 2. Can't use "butt cap"/"meter join" properly, because the appearance of strokes are not fully 3D either so "butt cap"/"meter join" strokes keep overlapping. Only "round cap"/"round join" make visually sense. Is there a technique out there, that can tackle these problems - i.e. overlapping strokes with meter join and hiding shapes with fill enabled? Once again - thank you for your work. Your tutorials help me very much. Great, that you included "[...] 3D Objects with shape layer strokes only:" in the video description. Unfortunately I did notice it after I came across the limitations of the technique. Greetings from Vienna :)

[@EvgeniyShmukler]

Thank you, - some of your videos give answers - I was looking for - for years.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you, too. I’m glad you could find the solutions with my tutorials 😊

[@EvgeniyShmukler]

@@MichaelPonch - indeed, I thought my question is ordinary and the answer is given everywhere. But it is you who gave me the right decision. I wish you the best of luck.

[@leonardlopez3450]

Dude, super cool

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@Chewbacca2000]

Thanks man!!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome and thanks for watching 😊

[@antidisestablishmentariani5393]

🤯🤯 Amaaazing

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks very much 😊

[@xoxoso_TT]

You save my life... So thank you.....

[@AgustinPaez-ro6gw]

WHAT A TUTORIALLLLLL♥

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@RHStevens1986]

I think I would recommend killing the music when you start getting into the lesson, it's a bit distracting for me. Great video!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks man 😊. And thanks for the feedback. i mainly use music to distract drom my english flaws as I’m not a native english speaker 😂. But you’re right. Maybe I should find something atmospheric without beats 🤔

[@regeneratewealth]

@@MichaelPonch I don’t know man, your English is pretty good! Only thing I noticed is try saying “create” as one syllable even though it’s technically two.

[@decentsizedballs]

@@MichaelPonchwe can still hear them. They’re not even bad . It’s fine lol

[@Aafanyu]

what a good chat, so useful, how come no one saw this!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks very much. It’s because I just posted it yesterday 😂

[@vinhdo1609]

i guess it will take me 100 more years to be that good in after effect like this so i choose to enjoy watching this video to entertain for my weekend.

[@MichaelPonch]

Haha 😂. But that’s why I’m here….to make you guys better in less than 100 years 😊

[@PanettMaina95]

very much your efforts to help us noobs out.

[@angga-ur1zj]

cool man

[@gscastpodcast]

Yay thx per mostrarmi: D

[@ChilsonTV]

hell yeah dude this rules

[@alirezaei3162]

tnx

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😊

[@SiNNature]

genius...

[@eddieandrew9214]

cool

[@eduardoiglesias9978]

Hi Michael ! Thank you very much for shearing your approaches. Is there any way to cantact you for a project as freelance ?

[@infinityXD69]

cool nan

[@phoenix2gaming346]

now this is the work what after effects madeup

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@SeraphicFate]

I keep watching your tutorials for the outro music! Shazam is not helping me in the slightest, though 😅

[@MichaelPonch]

I like that music, too :) It's Balearic Breeze from Sum Wave. I took it from Epidemic Sound.

[@Psychoolol]

underrated i think

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@lowrax]

dope

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks 😎

[@vxbx8208]

awesome, thank you very much for this great tutorial. Can anybody please tell me how you create the background and the reflection of the shapes on the ground?

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. For the background i used a cc sphere. The reflection is basically a precomposition of the 3d object that I put below the 3d object as a 3d layer. The grids are 3d solids with the grid effect. You can download the background with the grid for free 😊. If you want you can also get the whole intro sequence with the reflection and blue background (also link in the description) Sorry that I have to charge a few bucks for it. But I put a lot of work into it 🥵

[@WatchPlayy]

How can I create the background ??? I loved your each and every tutorial

[@eladet11]

That's awesome man! How did you find out about this method?

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. I think I found out by chance 😂

[@thatdollar1491]

Can you make turoial on fake light emission?

[@isaac61200]

No plug-in is real hero!

[@astromusic_ofc]

Nice video! how did you make the objects emit that 3d light? It's very interesting!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. It’s basically a precomp of the object put as a 3d layer below the object, blurred and glow effect applied to. Fake light emission 😎

[@raged2259]

​@@MichaelPonch i still dont get do you have any tutorial made for this?

[@raged2259]

​@@MichaelPonchbtw I was new on your channel and subscribed because you explain better than my coachings 😂

[@MichaelPonch]

@@raged2259 thanks for subbing 😊. I appreciate it!

[@saba7341]

soft setuper?

[@jaysonfontela5761]

💖

[@gurkenschnitzel3905]

I found that word easy not in the right context... 😂 And till you mentioned it at the end i was thinking about... How will this work with a full rotation? For simple stuff like this you would spend a day with all then nulls. But a great experiment 🎉

[@djben4u]

in!

[@cath0dictube]

i tried to make a pyramid like this a few weeks ago, i was proud of myself for thinking about it haha, but the strokes looked flattened like paper (not 3d neons) and glitched whenever i moved the camera or tried to rotate the pyramid too much. any suggestions? is it because i made the shape layer 3d as well and only the nulls should be 3d? loving your tutorials and your vibe, super informative, concise and friendly

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much 😎. I can think of 2 solution to create a pyramide 1) the way I explain in this tutorial 😂. Or 2) create 3 square solids, make them 3D layers and form triangle. Then create a square mask in on the bottom solid and triangular masks in the other 2 solids. Apply a stroke effect on all layer. And here is the trick…enable ‘collapse transformation’. The strokes will not flatten even in 3D. It’s basically this tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3O3i5qNe8SZnM0

[@cath0dictube]

@@MichaelPonch thanks for the laser fast reply! the precomp + collapse transformation is great advice, thanks! I used your method with nulls from paths, but i think the error was from making the shape layers 3d as well, nut just the controller nulls. I'll recreate it following your tutorial exactly. Keep up the stellar content!

[@samarthgautam]

@@cath0dictube Thank you! Had the same mistake of making the shape layer 3D

[@cath0dictube]

@@samarthgautamyes, making the shape 2d fixed it

[@nico-td4ri]

When I click the 3d layer button I get a three arrow symbol instead of the cube symbol and can no longe see the square in a 3d view. would you happen to know the fix for this?

[@dostonabdullayev8153]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@AmritSingh-sc7fr]

Sir, how can we centre the null to 3D bunch of cubes (e.g. Rubik's Cube)?

[@danniboyz9546]

How many years studying vfx does it take to become this good?

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. Studying is not the thing. Yes, you learn the basics. But it’s lifelong learning, always trying new things and years of experience. I’m very old 😂😂😂

[@danniboyz9546]

@@MichaelPonch Thanks! i have been studying AE for almost 3 years now I put in time every day to practice my craft and learn tricks and techniques through youtubers like yourself and also Udemy courses. I really give it my all I'm 26 years old. Do you think if I keep putting in the work I can get a job with my skills? even though I don't have official college degree? or in your experience do you think going to college is necessary to get a job in this field

[@Leo-yh6it]

But how can I make those light reflections?

[@MichaelPonch]

You can precomp the whole 3D shape and put the precomp as a blurred 3D layer below. In my case I used the technique from my video “you don’t need to precompose” to avoid precompositions. Either way it’s a duplicate of the 3D shape to fake this kind of reflection 😊

[@gchocca]

Hi! I've just seen this tutorial and immediately tried to follow it. Cool technique. I'm having some problems trying to make the sphere though. I make the nulls from the path and the control null, but when I rotate it in 3d, instead of rotate the circle in 3d too, it gets completely distorted, it looks like a bow tie. Do you know what may be the issue? Thanks a lot.

[@MichaelPonch]

Hi! Hard to tell without seeing the project. What I can tell you that only Null layers should be 3D layers, not the shape layer. Sometimes it’s distorted when your camera has a low focal length, like 20mm. The higher, the better.

[@idknejejek]

What glow do you use?

[@MichaelPonch]

Usually I use Deep Glow or Optical Glow in professional context. But in my tutorials I apply glow techniques with native effects. Like I’ve shown in my SuperGlow tutorial 😊

[@idknejejek]

@@MichaelPonch Thank you so much 🥰

[@sukiarts]

Michael, when I click under the 3D cube on the panel it shows tri-axis icon instead of a cube, do you know what I need to do to fix this?

[@MichaelPonch]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. I tried out every situation to get the tri-axis icon you described but I failed :). Is it really the 3D Layer checkbox on the layer in the timeline? Or do you mean the top tool bar in After Effects?

[@TomYeeha]

Think they just changed the cube to a tri-axis in the latest version - they function the same :)

[@MichaelPonch]

@@TomYeeha good to know 😊. I haven’t dared to update AE yet because of ongoing projects. Hope it’s stable.

[@ayoww1000]

Is there any plugin which can help me avoid these processes everytime i edit? Do tell..

[@MichaelPonch]

Maybe this could be something: aescripts.com/3d-primitives-generator/

[@ayoww1000]

@@MichaelPonch dayumm this is compleate game changer! Tq so much that u replied.

[@rafablancoestella1575]

Hi, i can't find the panel " Create nulls from Path " :(

[@MichaelPonch]

You can find it in the menu ‘window’ at the very bottom if your AE version is not older than AE 2019. But if it’s not there I think you can download the script somewhere

[@hubertsingh2592]

How to draw 3d cone shape in after effects

[@MichaelPonch]

Don’t know if it works: Create a four sided pyramid and apply a ‘round corners’ operator to the square to make it a circle.

[@Vickey3Dmotion]

Awesome tutorial! But when using the dashed stroke the offset moves when moving the camera. Is there a solution to this?

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you! Unfortunately I can’t think of a solution for that problem. If you have a simple camera movement you can animate the offset to counteract the unwanted motion.

[@Vickey3Dmotion]

@@MichaelPonchThank you for the reply :) That should work. But it’s a little bit tedious for more complex rotations. It doesn’t seem that you are experiencing this problem at 11:21 when rotating. Or maybe it isn’t that obvious at that rotation angle?

[@namekpictures6915]

bro please show me how to make logos 3d

[@MichaelPonch]

Hi 👋. Please search for ‘3D Extrude shapes in After Effects’. That would be the best start to make 3D logos 😎

[@anekartrelaxationfilms6813]

When I active the 3d option on AE 2022, the paths drawing disappears. When I deactivates the 3D option, it reappears...... Again when I click "point follow null...." It shows Shape layer path1,2,3 etc, instead of null layer path1, null layer path2... Please I need to solve this?

[@MichaelPonch]

Hi! It’s important that turn on the 3D option just for the Null Layers. The 3D option on the shape layer is always off. If this doesn’t solve the problem let me check this out.

[@anekartrelaxationfilms6813]

@@MichaelPonch That is what am saying Sir; Clicking the "Point follow null" brings out four shape layer paths instead of four null layer paths. And if I put the 3D option on all fours, the rectangle paths disappears...

[@MichaelPonch]

@@anekartrelaxationfilms6813 That’s really strange. I have AE 2022, too, but the version before the latest update. I’m gonna try it out tomorrow on the Update. Because it’s late in Germany right now 😊

[@anekartrelaxationfilms6813]

@@MichaelPonch Ok sir..

[@MichaelPonch]

@@anekartrelaxationfilms6813 hi! I didn’t find any issues on the updated version. Is it maybe a Mac issue? Or are there effects involved? If so turn them off first to see if the issue still emerges.

[@sunhim58]

I want to 3d stroke please help me.

[@MichaelPonch]

Check out the next tutorial. It’s about 3D strokes 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWHQqWWgfpVor5Y

[@sunhim58]

@@MichaelPonch ,🫰♥️

[@XEQUTE]

I think music needs to be toned down when you're talking , also the voiceover had a echo effect or some clarity in the start. it gets better after 1:47

[@annabaassou8897]

[@dianagorohova8887]

Hi, I've been trying to follow this tutorial (which is a great tutorial) but for some reason when I try to use orbit tool nothing happens, i doesn't let me move the view of the object. Do you know why this can be? am i doing something wrong? I've tried this over and over and still can't get it to work.. ANYONE ELSE KNOW WHY?? Thanks

[@MichaelPonch]

Hi! Sorry that it didn’t work. I assume you haven’t turn JUST the Null layers into 3D Layers. Just check the 3D Layer checkbox with the Cube or Axis Icon. Hope that was the solution

[@dianagorohova8887]

@@MichaelPonch I have turned just null layers into 3D. But doesn’t work with orbit tool.. If I add camera layer to the composition would this help? If so what setting should that be? Thanks :)

[@MichaelPonch]

@@dianagorohova8887 that’s strange. I hope they haven’t changed the Create Nulls From Paths Script in the latest AE Version. when you create a simple solid and make it 3D does it work then with the orbit tool? Usually it doesn’t matter if there is a cam or not. Maybe you are not in the Perspective View but Front view. Or the composition is set to Cinema4D renderer?

[@dianagorohova8887]

@@MichaelPonch The composition is set to Classic 3D render. I'm using AE 2019. And nope that didn't work either :(

[@halazahra3386]

@@dianagorohova8887 I have the same issue, did you figure out why this is happening , thanks

[@DESIGNLIKEART]

My pc is 32 ram 2060RTX and I try to do this I swear when my pc rendering a time line the fan get started sounding like helicopter 😂 wtf is your pc how you make this and your pc not explosion

[@Crybaby_lexx]

my nuls are not centred like yours Not sure what happened

[@BranZHamZ]

dude! HOW TF DOES STEP ONE NOT EVEN WORK FOR ME!? I CANT SEE ANY STROKE LINES AND I FOLLOWED TO THE T!!! and i thought this tutorial was the answer to my problems

[@MichaelPonch]

Hey 👋. You can download my free project file and check what didn’t work. Common mistake is to make the strokes 3D layers

[@2424rocket]

You’re kidding me? This is like brain surgery. Do you know how easy it is to do this in cinema 4D. You click cube and it’s there. Why would anybody do this?

[@emperorscotty]

this is like the worse tutotrial i ever saw.

[@ritschyy]

Auf r/motiondesign gesehen und direkt abonniert! Hilfreiches Tutorial sehr schön visualisiert, gerne mehr davon. Grüße aus dem schönen Bayern :)

[@MichaelPonch]

Vielen Dank 😊. Es kommen definitiv mehr Tutorials. Allerdings muss man bei mir manchmal ein wenig Geduld haben, weil ich sie neben meiner eigentlichen Arbeit mache. Ebenfalls Gruß aus Bayern (Chiemgau) 😎. Aus welcher Ecke kommst Du her?

[@ritschyy]

@@MichaelPonch Qualität statt Quantität ist mir auch lieber :P Dein Kanal hätte aber definitiv das Potenzial als Full-Time Job. Aus der Oberpfalz, in der Nähe von Regensburg :)

[@user-jo1zk4dv4o]

Good day. Can you please tell me how to make a truncated octahedron? having trouble with the corners. ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A3%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%87%D1%91%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%BE%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%8D%D0%B4%D1%80