What you'll learn

In this series of After Effects tutorials, we will learn how to use the new Ray-tracing feature in CS6 to create 3D animated typography and shapes. We begin this tutorial in Illustrator, where we lay the ground work for our image. This creation step contains vital information for how the Illustrator file must be set up for it to work once it has been imported to After Effects. We use a few scripts that speed up our process tremendously for some of the more repetitive and tedious parts of the project. Once we bring our illustrator project into After Effects, this is where the magic starts to happen. We learn some valuable time saving tips when working with Ray-tracing as well as lighting and rendering workflows to get the best possible render in the end. This training offers a really unique approach to creating a beautiful typography animation as well as tricks that will stick with the rest of your workflow when you work on your own projects that deal with the same issues and goals. By the end of the tutorial, you will have firsthand knowledge on interfacing between Illustrator and After Effects as well as some Ray-tracing workflows that will make your other projects way less time consuming. Software required: After Effects CS6.