Home > Shadows and Realism

Wes McDermott

Principal Director, Substance 3D Worldwide Evangelism

linkedin-icon

Shadows and Realism

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

Download Project files

This summary is AI generated

Learning Outcomes:

  • Create a shadow catcher layer
  • Adjust shadow settings for effects
  • Change shadow color for aesthetics

Level: Advanced

Skills you'll gain:

After Effects, 3D Layer, Shadow Catcher, Color Adjustment

Key Insights

  • Use a new solid for shadow catcher creation.
  • Enable 3D layer for realistic shadow effects.
  • Rotate and position the shadow catcher accurately.
  • Modify material options to accept only shadows.
  • Change composition background for different shadow effects.
  • Tint shadows to enhance visual appeal.

Did the AI summary help? Let us know.

Related Tutorials

Introduction and Project Setup
Product Icon 524 Views
08:32

Introduction and Project Setup

Overview of Substance Painter's workflow, UI, and initial project setup, introducing the essentials for 3D texturing workflows.
Fundamentals of Applying Textures
Product Icon 130 Views
19:10

Fundamentals of Applying Textures

Core texturing concepts including how to apply, manipulate, and visualize materials on 3D models using Painter's non- destructive layer workflow
Working with Custom Materials
Product Icon 52 Views
15:12

Working with Custom Materials

Building and refining custom texture effects using masks, selections, and layer operations to get precise material placement on 3D models
Advanced Texturing Techniques
Product Icon 125 Views
26:43

Advanced Texturing Techniques

Creating complex details using procedural textures, projection options, and importing vector graphics from Adobe Illustrator
Final Steps and Exporting
Product Icon 39 Views
11:01

Final Steps and Exporting

Notes on preparing and optimizing textures for use in After Effects and various 3D applications, including resolution management, export options, and techniques for optimizing textures
Exporting Animated GLB files from Cinema 4D for After Effects
Product Icon 62 Views
03:27

Exporting Animated GLB files from Cinema 4D for After Effects

Learn how to export animated GLB files from Cinema 4D and seamlessly integrate them into After Effects. You’ll learn how to export it as a GLB file and importing it into After Effects.
Getting Started with 3D in After Effects
Product Icon 37 Views
01:31

Getting Started with 3D in After Effects

Get familiar with the 3D tools in After Effects.
Navigation and Workspace Basics
Product Icon 9 Views
01:13

Navigation and Workspace Basics

Learn how to move around the After Effects interface, add cameras, and leverage viewports to manage 3D scenes.
Object Manipulation
Product Icon 12 Views
01:13

Object Manipulation

Build and refine custom texture effects using masks, selections, and layer operations to get precise material placement on 3D models.
Advanced Texturing Techniques
Product Icon 16 Views
03:05

Advanced Texturing Techniques

Learn the techniques for placing and arranging 3D models in space, parenting and animating with keyframes. You’ll also learn how to apply effects to 3D layers and working with animated models.
Lighting in 3D
Product Icon 11 Views
03:29

Lighting in 3D

Understand and control lighting to enhance 3D scenes.
Advanced 3D Workflows
Product Icon 22 Views
12:55

Advanced 3D Workflows

Learn how to combine 3D with real-world footage and managing complex projects.
Working with Tracked Footage
Product Icon 15 Views
04:59

Working with Tracked Footage

Explore techniques for integrating 3D elements with video by using motion tracking.
Screen Replacement
Product Icon 29 Views
14:24

Screen Replacement

Learn how to replace screens in footage with custom content, blending it naturally into the scene using compositing tools.
Creating DOF (Depth of Field) effects
Product Icon 28 Views
03:30

Creating DOF (Depth of Field) effects

Learn how to simulate realistic depth of field in a 3D composition, adding a cinematic blur to foreground or background elements for enhanced visual focus.

Explore Other Tutorials

After Effects 646 Views
32:23

Composting graphics on a phone

Tony Lupoi demonstrates compositing phone graphics in After Effects, covering grain removal, marker cleanup, and keying. He uses Mocha AE for planar tracking to accurately place graphics, then adds depth of field, color correction, and reflections before final QC.
After Effects 77 Views
02:34

Intro & Tutorial Overview

Aaron Eaton demonstrates a variety of techniques and tricks to composite a shot from start to finish without leaving After Effects. This chapter kicks off with the tutorial overview of what is covered in this two-hour course.
After Effects 47 Views
03:22

Setting Up Your Workspace

Learn how to set up your composition for the correct specs and organization.
After Effects 50 Views
04:33

3D Tracking Overview

Learn how to quickly set up the shot with 3D Tracking using After Effects 3D Camera Tracker. You’ll also learn how to set up nulls, ground planes and solids to help with image placement.
After Effects 42 Views
02:50

Roto Overview

Learn how to use Mocha for your roto work to track smaller pieces in your composition.
After Effects 21 Views
07:10

Set Extension

Learn how to pre-comp to make your composition more organized and add videos created in Adobe Firefly to make a simulated background. You’ll also learn how to refine areas of your comp to make them look more natural in their environment.

Contact Us

Community -

Follow us on social media