3D Invigorator Classic Details

3D Invigorator Classic is a feature-rich plug-in for After Effects that can create 3D objects (text, logos, etc.) with ease. From a simple (or complex) Adobe Illustrator outline, the Invigorator will generate 3D objects that can be manipulated, lit, textured, and animated in realtime.

In order to make the process of generating professional-looking 3D images easy, the Invigorator is loaded with tools and concepts to help you finish your project quickly. You can use the object and camera controls to maniplate how the objects are arranged in your scene -- and view the results in the realtime preview window. Use the Materials editor to generate compelling surfaces for your objects. Then combine materials, profiles, and other attributes to create an Object Style which can be applied to other objects in the scene with a single click.

You are given the choice of using the After Effects 3D cameras and lights or you can use the tools provided by the Invigorator. You may also use After Effects layers (images, movies, text, etc.) as textures on Invigorator objects, so there's virtually no limit as to what you can create with the Invigorator.

Look below for some of the key features of Invigorator Classic.

Edge Styles

Once you have selected an Illustrator file to import, you can select an Edge Style to give your object a particular look. Invigorator ships with dozens of Edge Styles for you to choose from. 3D Invigorator PRO users can even install their own custom edges.

Once you have selected your Edge Style, you can "split" an edge so the different materials can be applied to different parts of the object, giving you countless opportunties to customize your scene.

Materials

Invigorator materials can be simple or complex. A simple material can just be a flat color. A complex material can be partially transparent, bumpy, and have a shiny surface. The Invigorator ships with several Material Swatches, which are easily accessible from the main Invigorator interface. You can apply your saved Material Swatches to different objects, or you can apply them to portions of a split edge.

Object Styles

As you begin to use the Invigorator, you may find that you'll want to reuse the style of one object on another. Object Styles make this easy. An Object Style is a collection of an Edge Style, Materials, Object Depth, and a few other parameters. You can save the Object Style of any object and apply it to another. You can even use one of the many Object Styles that ship with the Invigorator.

Manipulator Toolbar

Arranging your object in the 3D view is done with the intuitive tools provided by the manipulator toolbar.

You may switch between Camera, Light, and Object mode. Each mode has its own set of tools, which may be selected by clicking on a toolbar icon or by selecting a keyboard shortcut.

Lights

Invigorator scenes may have multiple lights, each with their own color, intensity, etc. The lights may also cast shadows, adding realism to your images and movies.

The Invigorator ships with several light presets and Light Styles, so you may start with one of the presets or you may create your own.

ECW Preview

While the Invigorator Set-Up window offers the full set of 3D tools and controls, you can do a lot of editing using the After Effects Effect Controls Window (ECW). The standard manipulator toolbar is available, as well as controls for setting camera information, lights, Set animation, and Layer Maps. You can edit all of your 3D animation and see the results in realtime in the ECW Preview window.

Layer Maps

You can use any After Effects layer as a texture for your Invigorator objects by using Invigorator Layer Maps.

Once inside of the Invigorator Set-Up window, you can select a Layer Map as a texture instead of an image file. You can use Layer Maps for any of the Invigorator map types, including Color, Transparency, Bump, and Reflection. Since After Effects layers can contain animation, images, movies, or even other Invigorator effects, you are free to create any texture you like.

Set Animation

You can have any number of objects inside of your Invigorator scene but the After Effects plug-ins can only control a fixed number of objects in the ECW. Therefore, the Invigorator allows you to assign groups of objects to Sets. These sets can be animated using the controls in the ECW, allowing you to spin, move, and tumble your objects around the 3D After Effects world. This feature, along with animated cameras and lights, allows for some very dynamic scenes.