Home > Shadows and Realism

Wes McDermott

Principal Director, Substance 3D Worldwide Evangelism

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Shadows and Realism

Explore techniques for grounding 3D objects in a scene with realistic shadows.

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This summary is AI generated

Learning Outcomes:

  • Create a shadow catcher in After Effects
  • Adjust shadow settings for realistic effects

Level: Advanced

Skills you'll gain:

After Effects, 3D, Shadow, Composition

Key Insights

  • Use a new solid layer for shadow catchers.
  • Enable 3D layer option for depth effects.
  • Rotate and position the solid for proper alignment.
  • Switch material options to accept only shadows.
  • Change background color for better shadow visibility.
  • Tint shadows for enhanced visual appeal.
  • Utilize camera movement to create dynamic scenes.
  • Experiment with shadow color for desired effects.

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