ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the 3D Channel effects. The 3D Channel effects serve a very unique purpose in After Effects. All of them deal with files output from dedicated 3D applications such as Maya, 3DS Max, or Cinema 4D. One of the challenges of working with 2D images with 3D data is that Photoshop cannot read, edit, or save them. The Info panel is absolutely critical to working well with 3D channel data. The chapter uses an RPF file created in 3DS Max by a very talented 3D modeler, Kymnbel Bywater. The 3D Channel Extract effect helps the illusionist to extract 3D data from a 3D channel. These results are then used in conjunction with another effect. The Depth Matte effect can mask out (remove) objects in the illusionist's 3D scene, based on their Z depth, or distance from the camera. This is helpful in an infinite amount of circumstances.
