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3D Outline Cube in After Effects

March 7, 2021
Max Kravchenko

Max Kravchenko

Motion Designer & Tutor

The exciting way to make the 3d outline cube. This quick tip will open many new features for you. You will understand how to use snapping in your workflow and stroke effects in 3d space.

How to Create 3D Cube in After Effects

To create a 3D outline cube in After Effects, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a New Composition Open After Effects and create a new composition by clicking on “Composition” and selecting “New Composition.” Set the desired dimensions and duration for your composition.

Step 2: Create a Solid Layer Right-click on the composition window and select “New” followed by “Solid.” Choose a color for your solid layer, which will serve as the base of the cube.

Step 3: Add the 3D Cube Effect With the solid layer selected, go to the “Effects & Presets” panel (usually located on the right side of the interface). Search for “CC Ball Action” and drag it onto the solid layer.

Step 4: Adjust the CC Ball Action settings Select the solid layer and go to the “Effect Controls” panel (usually located on the left side of the interface). You’ll find the CC Ball Action settings there. Adjust the following parameters:

Step 5: Enable 3D for the Solid Layer To make the cube 3D, select the solid layer and click on the cube icon in the “Switches” column of the layer panel. This enables 3D properties for the layer.

Step 6: Position and Rotate the Cube Now you can position and rotate the cube in 3D space. Use the selection tool to click and drag the solid layer to change its position. To rotate the cube, select the solid layer and use the rotation controls in the layer panel or the composition window.

Step 7: Customize the Cube’s Appearance You can further customize the cube’s appearance by applying effects, adjusting its colors, or adding textures to the solid layer.

Step 8: Add Lights and Camera (Optional) To enhance the 3D look of the cube, you can add lights and a camera to your composition. Go to “Layer” and select “New” to add a light or camera layer. Experiment with different positions and settings to achieve the desired lighting and camera angles.

Step 9: Preview and Export Finally, preview your composition by pressing the spacebar or using the preview controls. If you’re satisfied with the result, you can export your composition by going to “Composition” and selecting “Add to Render Queue.” Configure the render settings and click on “Render” to export your 3D outline cube.

Remember to save your project periodically to avoid losing any progress.

Note: After Effects is a powerful software with numerous capabilities for creating complex 3D animations. The method described above provides a basic outline cube effect, but there are many other techniques and plugins available to achieve more advanced 3D effects.

What is the Motion Beast course?

This is the must-see course for any Motion Designer. It lays the foundation for all aspects of modern motion design and covers every topic from AE basics to character rigging and frame by frame animation.

The course will help you overcome AE-related barriers and fears which are standing between you and the wonderful world of animation and motion design

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