To view a 3D scene in After Effects, you'll need to ensure that your scene is set up correctly and that you're using the proper viewing tools. Here's how to do it:
1. Set up your 3D scene: Before you can view a 3D scene, you need to create or import 3D layers into After Effects. You can do this by creating shapes and extruding them, importing 3D models, or using the built-in 3D tools in After Effects.
2. Enable 3D layers: Once you have your 3D layers in the composition, make sure to enable the 3D layer switch for each layer. This will allow After Effects to treat the layers as 3D objects in the scene.
3. Use the 3D View pop-up: In the Composition panel, you'll find a drop-down menu at the bottom that lets you select between different 3D views, such as Top, Left, Right, Front, Back, and more. This is useful for quickly switching between different angles of your 3D scene.
4. Utilize the camera tools: After Effects provides various camera tools for navigating and viewing your 3D scene. You can use the Unified Camera tool to pan, zoom, and orbit around the scene, allowing you to explore different perspectives.
5. Adjust the camera settings: You can also adjust the camera settings, such as the focal length, depth of field, and aperture, to fine-tune the view of your 3D scene. This can help you create depth and realism in your animation.
6. Utilize the 3D orbit controls: After Effects offers 3D orbit controls that allow you to rotate and position the 3D layers within the scene. This is useful for positioning objects and navigating the 3D space.
7. Utilize the 3D navigation tools: After Effects provides 3D navigation tools for panning, rotating, and zooming within the 3D space, allowing you to easily navigate and view your 3D scene from different angles.
By following these steps and utilizing the various viewing and navigation tools in After Effects, you can effectively view and work with 3D scenes in your animation and motion graphics projects. This will allow you to create dynamic and visually engaging 3D animations with ease.
