User Guide

Using Help | Contents | Index Back 235

Adobe After Effects Help 3D Compositing

Using Help | Contents | Index Back 235

Using cameras

After Effects 3D layers can be viewed from any number of angles and distances using

cameras. When you set a particular camera view for your composition, you look at the

layers as though you were looking through that camera. You can choose between viewing

your composition through the Active Camera or through a particular named camera. The

Active Camera is the topmost camera in the layer order at the current time. If you have not

created a camera, then the Active Camera is the same as the default composition view. The

Active Camera is the only camera view that will be rendered. This includes nested compo-

sitions, and ﬁnal renders, regardless of the view showing in the Composition window. All

other cameras that you create are included in the View list; you can access their views at

any time.

Though you can add multiple cameras to any composition, the views affect only 3D layers,

or 2D layers with Comp Camera effects applied (see “Using cameras and lights with

effects” on page 175 for more information on Comp Camera effects). You can animate

cameras along the X, Y, and Z axes. Each camera has its own set of properties, which

include varying focal lengths, apertures, and focus distances. This allows you to create

custom cameras in order to simulate a large range of real cameras. Because camera layers

are inherently 3D, they cannot be designated as 2D. Camera layers can be both a parent

and child to 2D and 3D layers.

A. Point of interest B. Frame C. Camera

To create a camera:

1 Select either the Timeline or Composition window.

2 Choose Layer > New > Camera.

3 Adjust settings as explained in “Understanding camera settings” on page 236 and click

OK.

To change the camera used in the view:

Click the menu at the bottom right of the Composition window and choose a camera

view.