Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
It is so cool these days that Adobe After Effects supports 3D objects directly. Being able to import GLB, GLFT and OBJ models makes animation so much easier. But if you are not a 3D model creator, making a colour change to a downloaded model is not something that you can do in AE. Except, you can.
There are a couple of different ways to apply effects to models and I break down what you need to do for each. Starting with the simplest option of an Adjustment Layer combined with a Track Matte. Then I compare this to using an Ambient Light as an additional light source set to a colour of your choosing. Personally I thought this yielded a better result.
Next, I take a look at remaking the textures using @VideoCopilot Element3D and to be honest, I think the result was a little disappointing compared to what you can now do natively. I still love Element3D, but on this occasion, it didn't hold up in comparison. So finally, I demonstrate how to use @BlenderOfficial to create a 3D Luma Matte version of the model. If that sounds intimidating, don't worry, I take you through just the steps you need and we leave the rest of the program to the 3D model artists.
#AfterEffects #3d #tutorial @AdobeVideo
*Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: redbubble.com/people/ShiveringCactus/shop*
*Or buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
*Tutorial: Step by step guide to using 3D Model in After Effects:*
youtu.be/Pdsb7Z4l4Jw
*Free 3D models you can use directly in After Effects*
Sketchfab: sketchfab.com
ProductionCrate: productioncrate.com/3D/models.html
Models featured:
"(FREE) Porsche 911 Carrera 4S" (skfb.ly/6WGTU) by Lionsharp Studios is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).
"garages" (skfb.ly/owZHZ) by SPLEEN VISION is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"Apple Watch Ultra 2" (skfb.ly/oLpRF) by polyman Studio is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"Spaceship" (skfb.ly/o8UNv) by motaman is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"Farm House" (skfb.ly/6TW7N) by MaX3Dd is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"VW Van" (skfb.ly/6U7OR) by jesseroberts is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
*Chapters*
0:00 Showing a colour change
0:59 Adjustment Layer and Track Mattes
1:52 Ambient Light
2:20 Element 3D
5:20 3D Luma Matte using Blender
I'm an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all
#AdobeCommunityExperts
It is so cool these days that Adobe After Effects supports 3D objects directly. Being able to import GLB, GLFT and OBJ models makes animation so much easier. But if you are not a 3D model creator, making a colour change to a downloaded model is not something that you can do in AE. Except, you can.
There are a couple of different ways to apply effects to models and I break down what you need to do for each. Starting with the simplest option of an Adjustment Layer combined with a Track Matte. Then I compare this to using an Ambient Light as an additional light source set to a colour of your choosing. Personally I thought this yielded a better result.
Next, I take a look at remaking the textures using @VideoCopilot Element3D and to be honest, I think the result was a little disappointing compared to what you can now do natively. I still love Element3D, but on this occasion, it didn't hold up in comparison. So finally, I demonstrate how to use @BlenderOfficial to create a 3D Luma Matte version of the model. If that sounds intimidating, don't worry, I take you through just the steps you need and we leave the rest of the program to the 3D model artists.
#AfterEffects #3d #tutorial @AdobeVideo
*Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: redbubble.com/people/ShiveringCactus/shop*
*Or buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
*Tutorial: Step by step guide to using 3D Model in After Effects:*
youtu.be/Pdsb7Z4l4Jw
*Free 3D models you can use directly in After Effects*
Sketchfab: sketchfab.com
ProductionCrate: productioncrate.com/3D/models.html
Models featured:
"(FREE) Porsche 911 Carrera 4S" (skfb.ly/6WGTU) by Lionsharp Studios is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).
"garages" (skfb.ly/owZHZ) by SPLEEN VISION is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"Apple Watch Ultra 2" (skfb.ly/oLpRF) by polyman Studio is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"Spaceship" (skfb.ly/o8UNv) by motaman is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"Farm House" (skfb.ly/6TW7N) by MaX3Dd is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
"VW Van" (skfb.ly/6U7OR) by jesseroberts is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
*Chapters*
0:00 Showing a colour change
0:59 Adjustment Layer and Track Mattes
1:52 Ambient Light
2:20 Element 3D
5:20 3D Luma Matte using Blender
I'm an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all
#AdobeCommunityExperts
