Videocopilot Element 3D Review:

Introduction

Welcome to The Pixel Lab! Today, we're diving into the exciting world of Video Copilot's latest plugin, Element 3D. This powerful tool has garnered a lot of buzz lately, with numerous tutorials and videos flooding the online space. While I won’t be providing a tutorial here, I want to share my thoughts on its functionality and potential impact on your workflow.

Quick Animation Creation

Creating animations with Element 3D can be incredibly swift and efficient. For instance, I was able to produce a stunning animation in just about 20 minutes, and rendering times are impressively short. The standout feature for me has been the text handling capabilities. Although Element 3D isn't a perfect plugin and lacks many features that dedicated 3D modeling applications offer, it excels in its ability to create simple 3D text and titles in After Effects. This can significantly speed up the process of getting your projects ready.

Speed and Efficiency

One of the most impressive aspects of Element 3D is how it optimizes workflow. Unlike traditional 3D rendering software where you might wait a minute per frame, Element 3D allows for real-time adjustments. You can manipulate the camera, lighting, and textures without the need for lengthy render times. This feature alone can save you a tremendous amount of time.

For example, envision you’re setting up a scene in Cinema 4D. While you could achieve fantastic results, the post-production work often involves a significant investment of time on rendering and color correction. With Element 3D, most of those processes are streamlined. By simply adding a text layer and selecting it in the custom layers, you can easily create 3D text that can be quickly extruded and textured.

Text Customization

The process of customizing text is incredibly straightforward. You can start with a standard bevel and then explore the various textures available. Simply drag the textures onto your models, and instant updates allow for rapid iteration. Swapping fonts is just as simple—select your desired type from the dropdown, and the changes reflect immediately.

Limitations and Considerations

However, it's essential to be aware of some limitations. When working with more complex models, you may encounter challenges. Preparing models in Element 3D can be labor-intensive, especially for intricate designs. For example, while simple objects like trusses can be imported directly, more complex models may require additional tweaking and organization.

I found that the absence of true shadow rendering is a significant drawback. While you can implement a faux ambient occlusion, doing so can come with performance trade-offs. Additionally, you should be cautious with lighting and specularity, as harsh lighting can lead to anti-aliasing issues.

Conclusion

In summary, while there are some limitations to Element 3D, the plugin is a powerful addition to any motion graphic artist's toolkit. Primarily for text animations and simpler 3D designs, it can save considerable time in the rendering process and streamline workflows.

Overall, I believe that Element 3D will become an integral part of my workflow, especially for projects focused on titles and simpler scenes. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this plugin as well—perhaps you have your own experiences or concerns?

Keywords

• Element 3D
• Video Copilot
• After Effects
• 3D Text
• Animation
• Rendering
• Customization
• Workflow

FAQ

1. What is Element 3D?

   • Element 3D is a plugin developed by Video Copilot for After Effects that allows users to work with 3D objects and text in a more efficient manner.

2. How fast can you create animations with Element 3D?

   • Users have reported being able to create animations in as little as 20 minutes with quick render times.

3. Are there any limitations to using Element 3D?

   • Yes, Element 3D does not support complex modeling like traditional 3D software and has some limitations regarding shadows and anti-aliasing.

4. Is Element 3D a replacement for Cinema 4D?

   • Element 3D is not a direct replacement for Cinema 4D, but it can be a useful tool for motion graphics, particularly for text animations.

5. Can you change textures and fonts easily in Element 3D?

   • Yes, changing textures and fonts in Element 3D is straightforward and updates in real-time without the need for rendering.