Integrate with After Effects
Integrate in some way with after effects so we can use 3d in motion rather than just in stills.

Hello all! While it’s a bit too early to give specifics, I wanted to say interop with After Effects is planned.
I’ve seen some users doing it already by exporting the 3D object from Dimension in .obj and other formats, then importing to Ae and plugins like Video CoPilot.
A more direct integration is something we’d love to do!
52 comments
-
Bryan Howell commented
@Jeanette, have there been any additional updates on the roadmap of integrating Dimension & AE workflows? This was an interesting video (https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/how-to/insert-objects-after-effects.html), but I've never used C4D and have limited, but some knowledge of using AE. I've been working with models I've built from Illustrator paths into Photoshop (for those who haven't seen this, this video was very helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPltLM_vfQQ&t=1037s&ab_channel=AshleyCameron) and am now putting graphics on them in Dimension, but as others have shared in this thread, I'm now looking to see what ways that I can utilize the 3D models/renders in video. Can you please share any updates Adobe has made with some sort of bridge between Dimension models and importing them into After Effects?
-
jisook so commented
It's November. still waiting.
What is the purpose of Dimension if I can't use it in AE?
-
Bart vanderhasselt commented
I do not understand there are still no basic modeling features in Dimension.
But what blows my mind is that years after its introduction, there is no way to directly import 3D from DN to AE.
It's not that you "would love to go" but it's something that just "should have been there" a long time ago. ^^;;
-
Linda Fazili commented
Yesss, please!
-
Gator suarez commented
I have just downloaded Dimemsions couple days ago and already looing so far ahead to the day we have after efects integrations. Adobe plsss, we love Dynalic Linking more than anything else!
-
Ralph Paonessa commented
I cannot believe that Dimension files cannot be used inside of AfterEffects. That just blows my mind!!!! Can you even import the objects from Dimension into AfterEffects? What is the point of Dimension then other than to sell us objects and render stupid looking fake photo scenes that are almost useless to anyone other than someone demoing the software. Also, the cost and the way you buy the objects is very, very short-sighted. Those should basically all be included for a single subscription.
-
bill castello commented
AE: File import Dimension files.
Scene and camera are intact. Camera and objects and lights can be keyframed.
Me: Thank you. (contented sigh) -
Valerie Skorpion commented
It would be great to take 3D models into AE for animating!
-
Joseraul CBS commented
how i wish this feature will be added!..
-
John David Howard commented
Hi Jeanette, I VERY MUCH agree with this idea as I've literally had multiple clients inquire about animating the stage of some of my product renders. Personally, your suggestion of basic 3D integration between Dimension and After Effects would be just amazing. It would also give even more incentive for users to keep and invest in the entire Adobe Suite rather than just switching to single subscriptions and investing in a very expensive 3rd party, non-Adobe software (that may have compatibility issues).
I know some people have no cost concerns working for larger companies but for myself being an independent contractor, I use the Abobe suite exclusively and would like to just work entirely within just it.
just my 2 cents
-
Fawzi Yahya commented
Please add this feature, it'll be a game changer.
-
haz abd commented
I started looking into blender trying to import tracked 3d models into after effects but its just way too complicated . Dimension is so easy to use . I hope this year they focus on some connection between dimension and after effects . Please adobe do something about the 3d issue disussed on this thread
-
Todd Sines commented
As much as I would like to see this happen — and not to be a naysayer, but I wouldn’t hold your breath for this anytime soon. Unless the Adobe family is written from the ground up, all of the 3-D systems you see are essentially 2.5 D “hacks” to simulate three dimensional space. (Probably a reason why there are no modeling features within Dimension)
The whole idea of layers and stacking is a moot point in a three dimensional space because you can Parent and nest objects within or outside one another, which is something that is impossible to do without “pre-comping “in AE.
I have dismantled some fairly gnarly template files in the past to see how some people were achieving a three-dimensional effect using layer controls, but it seriously is a nightmare by comparison to using something like Cinema 4D.
The learning curve however is much steeper jumping from 2D layer compositing app like AE, to something like Maya, Nuke or C4D.
I certainly am in for a vote for true 3-D space and flexibility between Adobe’s apps, but I’m also realistic and knowing that it’s been about 20-30 years, or more, and it’s yet to be done.
I hope Adobe is listening and considering buying something like Maxon; but the acquisition of other apps doesn’t always fare well (Final Cut, etc). Homogeneous workspaces and legacy users will be fighting about UI/UX and key commands/functionality for eternity. I still get irritated jumping back from photoshop, Indesign and aftereffects trying to use key commands I’ve been using for practically 20 years to have them not do what you expect them to do.
The world is a 3D space and it’s certainly been time to address it by Adobe.
-
Barrie Mulligan commented
Has this issue ever actually been resolved without resorting to video copilot
-
Joshua Hill commented
Is there really no easy way to do this yet? I’m new to Adobe swuite and I just spent like 8-10 hours setting up a scene so that I could then import it into AE and do a tracking camera shot. I had no idea they weren’t compatible 😞
-
onur nidayi commented
+1 for compatibility between Dimension and AE , please make this happen :)
-
CC Lawhon commented
From a simpleton (Aka not a well educated designer)...Id like easy 3D product videos/animations.
If it could “tween” my bookmarks and export as a video?? Heaven. If I could even get it to go into AE as is and then manipulate camera orbit there: happy place.
Example: I would like my Dimension made 3D soda can-with 12 rotation (y & z) bookmarks-and my “splashed liquid” model next to the can, to rotate then tilt and “pour” a liquid in after effects.
Even a simple 360° rotate camera around the can so we can see the whole label. I have done it in Animate VR Panorama except i cannot figure out how to post that on a website (videos + Wix = easy).
I did it in Photoshop but the Orbit tool moves the ground plane too and for some reason it won’t register separate keyframes with dif degrees of y rotation of the object so it appears to turn. I’m considering a screen recording of 24 bookmarks in dimension then smoothing in AE.
But this should really be as easy as Spark Post ya know? Just some way to easily export the objects as AE layers and do the camera work, can movement, and even lighting in AE?
I think for now I’m going to ditch dimension, and just use the cylinder in AE. But would love to have the awesome ease of dimension translate into videos of products!!
-
Bart Selby commented
I want to animate in Ae. C4D is a pain in the backside.
-
Joseph Brooks commented
I know this post is a bit old but I am currently working with my Eng. CAD team to create photo-realistic images of our products, with Dimension. A few things. Is there a way to dial in coords. for the camera and save them so I can apply this to several different products. The bookmark feature is great however when I have products in the same family and I want the exact angle and lighting for a different size product it's a little hard to match product to product at the moment.
Also, I like that we can now export OBJ. with MTL however, the file once brought into MAXON Lite does not represent the materials created in Dimension. Can we integrate MTL's with C4D Lite better? Or even better, can we integrate Dimension with AE through Dynamic link to move the camera around and KeyFrame it for video renders? If the functionality is there for Maxon I don't see why we can't marry a program that actually belongs to the suite with AE.
-
Meg Paradise commented
Due to the relatively low learning curve, Dimension has the potential to bridge the gap between the flat and 3D modeling and animation worlds (for designers with knowledge of Illustrator and After Effects) without having to endure the steep learning curve of Maya or C4D. Would love to be able to model in Dimension with more robust modeling tools (basic boolean functions seem like a good place to start) and export that 3D model to After Effects for animation within a 3D workspace.