Tutorial - How to Animate with 3D Objects in After Effects using Element 3D Plugin

Follow along to see how you can add in and animate 3D Objects in After Effects! You can add in any models you may like but in this specific video, I'm going to cover the specific use case of a 3D Mobile Device with an animation flow inside of the screen. Enjoy and I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments!
#element3d #aftereffects #tutorial
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/ wellgraf
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - About Element 3D Plugin
00:53 - Project Setup
01:21 - Adding in the 3D Object
03:54 - Adjusting size
04:12 - Adding UI animation into the device screen
05:14 - Creating the animation movement
07:07 - You're all set! Would love to see what you create so send along @wellgraf
07:22 - Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more and here are some related videos
💬 Let me know in a comment, what did you think about this? What do you want to see next?
👍🏼 Hit thumbs up on this video if you liked it!
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[@Wellgraf]

Thanks for watching! What would you like to see in the next tutorial?

[@shohivesdesignes7193]

Sir I,m having problem when I adding the mp4 file from the diffuse menu. There I don't find any output of my work. I tried again and again. but failed

[@Wellgraf]

@@shohivesdesignes7193 Hi man! Sorry to hear! Hit me up on Instagram and let me help you! @wellgraf

[@maansibislam977]

i'd like to see how professional UI/UX designers present their interface through animation (high frame smooth cursor) ykyk

[@Wellgraf]

@@maansibislam977 good one!

[@mancerrss]

Hi. Can you also release the animation files for this exact video itself on your Patreon. I'm a subscribed Patron!!

[@chentiniayudya3609]

This tutorial makes it super easy to understand. Thank you so much!

[@Wellgraf]

You are so so welcome and I’m very happy to hear that! 🙌🏼🌟

[@phatphat2698]

Thanks for tutorial. This help me a lot how to use element in mobile device. I was searched video about motion for UI design and i just appreciated your channel is the best. Thank again, I waiting for your next tutorial yaaa !!!

[@Wellgraf]

Big big thanks Phat and I’m so excited to hear that! So looking forward to sharing more videos soon, hope to see you then! 🙌🌟

[@pwl4576]

This is utterly incredible. Thank you Pontus!

[@Wellgraf]

Makes me so happy to hear that! Big thanks! Curious, is there anything else you would like to see/learn next? Planning my upconing videos 🙌

[@kyrasantos7552]

jus got 3d element !! this helped so much, i'm excited to use it now. Thank youuu

[@Wellgraf]

Amazing! You are so welcome Kyra! 🙏🏼🌟

[@estelles8709]

Thank you for this video, I'm truly impressed by your work! I recently watched the stream with you and Chris and it was so inspiring- wish I could learn from you in person.:) I've been studying web design and development for a year now and just started UX/UI! Can't wait to learn motion, 3D! By far my favorite! Keep up the great work and thanks again for sharing these videos, they are truly helpful! :)

[@Wellgraf]

estelle s Thank you so much Estelle! Hope this is helpful for your 3D Animation adventures! 🙌🏼 Im so happy to hear that, it was such a pleasure to join that stream! So excited to hear that you’re getting into this field! Much more to come for sure, thank you! Message me on Instagram @wellgraf and let’s definitely chat more! ☺️

[@hisacretu]

Thanks! Amazing UI work in general, glad I discovered you. Will be looking for trick and tips for my UI animation work)) Keep it up!

[@Wellgraf]

Cheers Stefan! Awesome to hear that and be sure to check out my Patreon if you ever want even deeper content/process or work feedback!

[@JakeBaconDigital]

Congrats on the 1k! And this is sooo cool 😎

[@Wellgraf]

Cheers buddy! This is just the beginning! 🔥🙌🏼

[@Vatsal2opBharat]

You Seriously Deserve More Subscribers Man! ❤️ Very Great Tutorial! 🙏🏻

[@Wellgraf]

Ah man this makes me so happy! So glad you liked it and looking forward to sharing more soon! Have an amazing week! 🙌 ❤ 🌟

[@learnwithpromo]

wow! great and so easy for the 3D element. I like it

[@Wellgraf]

I know right! Happy you liked it!👏🏼

[@JakePomperDesign]

Yeaaaaaah buddy dope as usual! Seems like a great way to dive into "3D" for those a bit too scared to jump into Blender or C4D (like myself haha). Keep up the great work!

[@Wellgraf]

JP Design Academy Thanks a lot man! Yeah exactly a great first step for sure! 🙌🏼🔥

[@ivineel11]

Was waiting for this video, and finally, it's here 😇😍

[@Wellgraf]

Oh man so happy to hear! We got a perfect Swedish saying for this: "He who waits for something good never waits too long" 🙌🏼

[@ivineel11]

@@Wellgraf Hell Yeahhhhh. Waiting for your next video as well 😍

[@Wellgraf]

@@ivineel11 Already in the planning my friend! 🙏🏼

[@shadowfriend2685]

Thank you! You are the best ❤

[@Wellgraf]

Thank you! My very pleasure and super glad this was helpful! 🌟

[@setlight]

Amazing tutorial, bro!

[@Wellgraf]

Thanks a lot man! Super glad to hear 🙏🏼✨

[@dynamics]

Thank you to infinity and beyond.

[@Wellgraf]

You are so so welcome! 🙌🏼🌟 Stay tuned for more, can’t wait to share!

[@sahordebbarma9059]

I'm here from the Futur livestream. Great stuff. 💯

[@Wellgraf]

Sahor Debbarma I’m so happy to meet you Sahor! Thanks a lot and looking forward to connect 🙌🏼🔥

[@ounismoha]

you are legend bro

[@Wellgraf]

Thanks you legend! 🔥

[@MYMAA]

god tutorial lets gooo tysm

[@Abhi-ii8co]

OP tutorial ❤️

[@Wellgraf]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🚀🚀

[@Caperfn]

its works, thank you

[@Wellgraf]

Happy to hear that!

[@artthailand7201]

Thank you frim Thailand ^^

[@Wellgraf]

Big thanks! 🙂

[@imadkaab7731]

Really Great job ...Big support for more tutorial please...thanks a lot

[@Wellgraf]

I’m super happy to hear that and thanks a lot! 🙏🏼🔥

[@imadkaab7731]

@@Wellgraf You deserve..hope to see more Tuto thanks

[@akashchoudhary5736]

Amazing tutorial !

[@Wellgraf]

Thanks so much my friend! Do you have/planning to get the plugin and create some 3D magic? 😬

[@akashchoudhary5736]

@@Wellgraf First I need to get a good computer which can handle AE smoothly 😅

[@Wellgraf]

@@akashchoudhary5736 Haha yes that's fair! Adobe needs to optimize their software much better 😅

[@JuriMacos]

Nice vid man! This tut makes it really easy to understand. I have a question: Can you also use a precomp instead of a video? Thank you!

[@Wellgraf]

Thanks a lot man! Super happy to hear that and that it helped you! Yes totally you should be able to add anything in there to get it onto the screen!👏🏼

[@adamtemple9417]

this is why I use fusion. It amazes me that after 15 years I've used AE they still don't handle 3d well and you need hack programs

[@Wellgraf]

Adam Temple couldn’t agree more that this definitely don’t feel like an ideal process!

[@dieuhuongdang8895]

hi! your video is incredible and so helpful so far, however, I couldn't find the Video copilot > Element in my AE 2022 anywhere. Could you help me with this? Did AE move this effect it somewhere else..?

[@Wellgraf]

Thanks so much! Happy to hear that! So this is not a feature within AE but one that you have to purchase on your own and add. Read more here www.videocopilot.net/products/element2/

[@cless15]

Hello! Do you know, why when I put a custom layer in the settings of the diffuse, I can't see the screen, I only see a gray color on the screen...

[@jankovicsr]

Thank you, it was a very useful video, I learned a lot from it (I hope)... The lower left and right corners of the model distort the image, which I set as a layer. How do you think it can be solved?

[@Wellgraf]

Super happy to hear that, you’re so welcome! Oh, I’ve never experienced that actually. Is this with some other model or?

[@jankovicsr]

@@Wellgraf Ouch... Sorry. Another model I found on the internet.

[@Feyli]

Hey, I've been trying forever to get a video to be on the screen but it remains black (i'm not using the same model as you, but an iPhone SE 2 one). The ratio is correct, etc... It works on every other texture but not on the screen.

[@peaceofsouls9164]

thank bro , were can i downlaod e3d project files ..?

[@Wellgraf]

So welcome man! My Patreon linked in the description!

[@vois]

I’ve searched high and low for this technique. Almost pulled my hair out. Do you know if there are any more videos similar to this and how to do a parralax effect inside.

[@Wellgraf]

Oh snap, sorry for missing your comment! You mean like having the actual video parallaxing sideways if you rotate the device sideways?

[@googlyzer547]

At 4:04 When changing the scale, isnt it easier to just resize at properties of the elements effect world scale properties in after effects panel?

[@Wellgraf]

For sure 🙂

[@devindoucette4958]

Where can i find the 3D model for the phone?

[@skydmnq]

very helpful!!! subbed here and will sub to your patreon!! question: is it possible to remove apple logo? and im wondering why the quality is low when i render :( . Is there a wayto brighten up the screen?

[@Wellgraf]

Big thanks man! 🙏🏼 You should definitely be able to remove the logo, if not, you might have to get another phone model! You can brighten up the screen by playing around in the light settings in AE, and the rendering quality is a tricky one to advice on without knowing your settings but maybe make sure that you have a good resolution, frame rate and bit rate when rendering!

[@johmu1255]

Did you change any settings to see the screen texture(the screen) in element (5:06)itself because I can’t see my textures in element 😢

[@Wellgraf]

Hi man! Oh sorry to hear that.. You should definitely see it if you followed along my steps there, so I'm not sure what's causing that issue 😕 Try the classic restart and maybe even remake the setup?

[@leonelsantos6517]

Naice.

[@youserjuarez7522]

en el panel elemnent no se veia le quite el enviroment y ya se ven de mala calidad pero al salir de ahi a after, en after no se ven y los textos no se ven tampoco

[@Wellgraf]

Hi Youser! Message me on Instagram and I can help you! @Wellgraf

[@taorui98766]

Thanks for the video man⭐️⭐️⭐️ Do you have any tips on communicating UI motion with developers?

[@Wellgraf]

Thanks a lot for your support! Super happy to hear its value! Oh yes totally - So I believe it all starts with a conversation with your dev teams of which way is the best for them to develop. It can be simply mp4 video files for reference and many can go off on it, or even better would be to help out exporting additional flows either in video or code. Another interesting way to communicate timings is also to make a animation chart in millisecond to show when and how elements behave through out - large topic! What's your take on this? Curious to hear!

[@taorui98766]

@@Wellgraf Thanks man. I totally agree - it should start with a conversation. I was guilty of giving engineers an animation without discussing the details... Also, i think being a little "pushy" might be useful too. I had to push really hard one time to get motion fixed in the development. or it would get buried in the backlog... I really like to hear from an engineer's perspective on best ways to collaborate. Do you know anyone ;) ?

[@Wellgraf]

Rui Tao Yeah exactly! Haha I think we all have, but really, some developers even prefer that and nothing else (Happened in a fee projects but now in hindsight that’s certainly a sign that they don’t really value it enough) And I feel you on that, we for sure need to push our vision forward. The best one I know was from the Masterclass team that literally just got it! Then we just went from rendered video references straight into code, pretty crazy. I would love to chat more about this so let me know if you would ever be down to host a designers + engineers live stream or something haha 😬

[@taorui98766]

@@Wellgraf Thats a great idea. I down to chat more and pick your brain a little more =)

[@gaidenrocx1]

How much is video copilot? and what format of 3D files can be used in element 3D?

[@Wellgraf]

$199, OBJ & C4D Formats Read about it all here www.videocopilot.net/products/element2/

[@alxinmotion1710]

Pontus! Tack för informativ och bra tutorial, är i valet och kvalet om jag ska införskaffa C4D eller nöja mig med Element 3D. Har blivit varse att man kan göra mer i Element än vad jag trodde så kanske inte behöver sälja själen till C4D... än iaf! Anyhow, tack för bra tutorial. Kör hårt! :) /Alex

[@Wellgraf]

Tjena man! Riktigt glad att höra att du gillade denna! :) Ja men verkligen bra fråga där och jag sitter faktiskt i exakt samma båt.. Velat hoppa in i C4D-världen i flera år men för mig tror jag att fokuset inte riktigt finns utan jag kanske går mer åt Webflow/kod-hållet och sen samarbetar med 3D folk när jag behöver. I framtiden kanske! Men som du säger, Element 3D kan ju göra jättemycket så det kanske kan funka ett tag, men om du känner att du verkligen vill köra på egen modellering och mer kvalitet i 3D motion så låter ju en sån investering riktigt vettigt :) Säg till hur det går, nyfiken! Ha det gott man och tack igen :) Pontus

[@alxinmotion1710]

Lugnt! Haha jasså, ja det är ju en slant att lägga ut på C4D så man vill ju vara säker på att man hinner/orkar lära sig såpass så man får igen det i slutändan. Will do, ha det fint! Du är +1 glad prenumerant! :) Trevlig helg, alex

[@osmanyigit3985]

Does this also work in combination with Cinema 4D, we love your Work!

[@Wellgraf]

Osman Yigit Yes it totally does! Thanks a lot! 👏🏼

[@thebrunoserge]

Does the iPhone model come with the plugin? If not, where did you download the 3D asset?

[@Wellgraf]

It does not! You can get the model from my Patreon linked in desciription. Btw, I couldnt reply on another comment you made the other day, if you did! 😊

[@thebrunoserge]

@@Wellgraf Thanks! Got it

[@SARANO-OK]

Why when i use custom textrue it's not like you do for me i got a tile of texture inside screen of phone i try to adjust offset in defuse it's not work please help me thank you

[@Wellgraf]

I’d be happy to help you! Send me a message via my Instagram @Wellgraf!

[@cless15]

Did you resolve it?

[@WarrLordd2009]

How you get the video inside to match screen size. Seems like any video I put cuts off edges or when shrink doesn’t fit

[@Wellgraf]

I’ve came across this issue before! I assume that you’re sure it’s a 750x1624 ratio video you are using?

[@WarrLordd2009]

@@Wellgraf thanks any way I can brighten the screen the dark tint of screen makes it dark

[@Wellgraf]

@@WarrLordd2009 No problem! Keep it up! 🙏🏼

[@Wellgraf]

@@WarrLordd2009 Totally - I would play around in the lighting settings in the Element 3D effect! ”Cinema” and ”Product” setting is often quite nice!

[@maansibislam977]

Hey I've got a question. Is there any way we can import a 3D object from Spline to After Effects?

[@Wellgraf]

Send me a message on Instagram @Wellgraf and I can help you!

[@tushti1793]

Hey. Did you got the solution ? @maansib islam

[@noitom_god]

I cant find the 3d model

[@raulperes2374]

Sir I loved the tutorial and wanted to do it but I can't download iphone ....

[@Wellgraf]

Hi Raul! Happy to hear that! Send me a message on my instagram @wellgraf and I’ll help you!

[@afrographixstudio]

Hi please , can i get the link for the 3D model?

[@Wellgraf]

Hi Tamery, you can download it on my Patreon! www.patreon.com/posts/working-files-1-41284182

[@Zin0D]

I cant get the iphone it says i have to pay for it? I mean ik its patreon but so we can atleast follow the tutorial is it free or not?

[@Wellgraf]

Of course you can follow this tutorial! It's all free and covers everything for you - It's just the model I prepared for it that I have on Patreon + All previous source files and project assets :)

[@2354754]

Do you have this iphone 3D model for me?

[@Wellgraf]

Hi Leon! Yes it’s linked in the description!

[@onurkurt6752]

Can you share mouse sliding asset please

[@Wellgraf]

You can download them here if you referred to the swipe gestures! www.patreon.com/posts/44284938

[@Edo4rdo.g]

great tutorial, there is any way to do it free? without crak the plugin?

[@Wellgraf]

I'm sure there is but would assume the process become more complicated! This is a great plugin though!

[@AnUnseenRuler]

What 3D file formats work with AE?

[@Wellgraf]

I just checked in with my assistant, Charles GPT, to look into this for me and here's what he told me: Cinema 4D (C4D): After Effects integrates with Cinema 4D Lite, allowing users to import 3D models and scenes directly into After Effects. Autodesk FBX: This format allows users to import 3D models and animations from Autodesk software such as Maya and 3ds Max. OBJ: This is a common 3D file format that can be exported from many 3D modeling software. It allows users to import 3D models into After Effects.

[@AnUnseenRuler]

@@Wellgraf Thank you!

[@raspberryeditingvideo4331]

How can i have this 3D phone object??

[@Wellgraf]

You can download it via my Patreon linked in the description!

[@maochamnap8006]

sir, how can I download 3d device file

[@Wellgraf]

It’s on my Patreon linked in the description!

[@raghadomar5023]

thank you very much but the txture is too big in mobile

[@raghadomar5023]

how to fix it plz

[@nitishmishra191]

When I import my own 3d modeled iphone, all textures are black why this happened please help

[@Wellgraf]

You should be able to modify each of the textures in the settings panel!

[@nitishmishra191]

@@Wellgraf when I import modeled object from maya all scene material are black

[@nitishmishra191]

drive.google.com/folderview?id=16jiHE9kJSsHztDOASAP-tcvai1j2TrAI Here is share link what problem Im face

[@nitishmishra191]

Did you see that link

[@nitishmishra191]

Did you see that link

[@MACADDICTRAY]

Do you teach after effects for beginners?

[@Wellgraf]

I have tutorials here and content on my Patreon page that have helped a lot of designers starting out in After Effects!

[@afrobay]

is this also possible in landscape format?

[@Wellgraf]

Oh yes for sure! Then you just rotate the video in the composition!

[@afrobay]

@@Wellgraf Thanks! I think this question was stupid *!*

[@Wellgraf]

@@afrobay Oh no, not at all - All questions are worth raising! I for sure also wondered the same thing if there was some orientation setting or so - But it’s pretty much manual work needed 😄

[@afrobay]

@@Wellgraf Thanks! You are very friendly. I have one more question: The text is mirrored in my video. Can i fix this? I did not find anything... Many Thanks!

[@Wellgraf]

@@afrobay Of course man! I believe you could fix this by basically right click in your video > Transform > Flip Horizontal/Vertical to flip it which then would make it mirrored the other way!

[@rjortiz6421]

the 3d model ur using has red layers in copilet for me and doesn't show

[@Wellgraf]

Hi Rj! Let me double check the source files and get back to you!

[@Wellgraf]

@Touann Gatouillat Sending you a message so we can fix it!

[@silcia111]

@@Wellgraf Hello, I have the same problem :( Could You help me with this?

[@Wellgraf]

@@silcia111 Hi! Send me a message on Patreon and I will help you!

[@barsnetti5987]

Is anyone here after the Procreate 5.2 update?

[@gunturdarmawan1513]

who need adobe Xd when u have after effect haha

[@Wellgraf]

Very true if you're after 3D magic animation hehe!

[@rafiktekari]

I do agree, but you can't prototype using After effect, for Ui Motion AE is no brainer

[@Wellgraf]

Rafik Absolutely you cannot, but that’s when you incorporate AE motion renders with interactive prototypes elsewhere

[@ifthis_]

Man I wish these really great tutorials didn't have the annoyingly repetitive music on in the background. Your voice levels are really low, even with headphones I had to turn it up past a level in which the music was tolerable. Shame, because the video has great content.

[@Wellgraf]

I definitely recorded a bunch of my videos while having roommates all around my apartment making noise or disliked loud video productions - But finally no more of that now haha 👍🏼

[@ifthis_]

@@Wellgraf oh awesome. Because your content is genuinely good! But when you have add and the music is louder than the words, that’s all you pay attention to lol. Vocal only KZbin videos aren’t that bad. 😉

[@bonsai5753]

$200 plug-in?? 🫣