Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This tutorial shows how to create realistic 3D water animations in Adobe After Effects, without the use of third-party plug-ins. Follow along to make a realistic ocean flyover, and then adjust the settings to customize your water animation as needed. This is a 3D effect, so you'll be able to move or animate your camera to orbit the waves, or move over them. Anyone can make this water effect, no experience necessary!
If you need 3D water scenes with more customization options, you can check out these popular After Effects templates from Creation Effects:
_Ocean_ - Create realistic 3D bodies of water, made from real water footage. Ocean allows you to create custom, 3D bodies of water in Adobe After Effects. Choose from over 60 video water textures (or use your own), and convert them into oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, and pools. Insert your titles, logo, or other 3D elements into your scene, and customize the water with convenient controls.
creationeffects.com/ocean
_Landscaper_ - Create epic 3D landscapes with lakes, beaches, and rivers
creationeffects.com/landscaper
_Pixel Pusher_ - Using the techniques explained in this video, customize a wide variety of water, land, and abstract particle animations.
creationeffects.com/pixel-pusher
0:00 Intro & Alternative Water FX
3:14 Creating the Texture
5:33 CC Ball Action
8:56 Cropping the Layer
9:46 Camera Position / Layer Scale
11:57 Expression Controls
15:39 Fade Out & Background
17:13 DOF Blurring
19:00 Increasing Quality
21:54 More Cool FX
This tutorial shows how to create realistic 3D water animations in Adobe After Effects, without the use of third-party plug-ins. Follow along to make a realistic ocean flyover, and then adjust the settings to customize your water animation as needed. This is a 3D effect, so you'll be able to move or animate your camera to orbit the waves, or move over them. Anyone can make this water effect, no experience necessary!
If you need 3D water scenes with more customization options, you can check out these popular After Effects templates from Creation Effects:
_Ocean_ - Create realistic 3D bodies of water, made from real water footage. Ocean allows you to create custom, 3D bodies of water in Adobe After Effects. Choose from over 60 video water textures (or use your own), and convert them into oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, and pools. Insert your titles, logo, or other 3D elements into your scene, and customize the water with convenient controls.
creationeffects.com/ocean
_Landscaper_ - Create epic 3D landscapes with lakes, beaches, and rivers
creationeffects.com/landscaper
_Pixel Pusher_ - Using the techniques explained in this video, customize a wide variety of water, land, and abstract particle animations.
creationeffects.com/pixel-pusher
0:00 Intro & Alternative Water FX
3:14 Creating the Texture
5:33 CC Ball Action
8:56 Cropping the Layer
9:46 Camera Position / Layer Scale
11:57 Expression Controls
15:39 Fade Out & Background
17:13 DOF Blurring
19:00 Increasing Quality
21:54 More Cool FX
