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yg75151261
yg75151261
Participant
March 27, 2026
Question

Advice on importing USD cameras and reference points into After Effects

  • March 27, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 28 views

I’m working at a 3D and animation studio where a big part of our pipeline is based on USD. We’re trying to bring cameras from USD scenes into After Effects, along with reference points or nulls that represent object positions in 3D space.

The idea is to use that data in After Effects to place 2D elements correctly in the scene, like cards with effects, but we’re having a hard time finding a solid way to import everything so it lines up properly.

Right now we’re a bit stuck and not sure what the best approach is. Is there any recommended workflow for this? Maybe a common way to transfer camera data and position references into After Effects that we’re missing?

Any advice or pointers would be really appreciated.

    1 reply

    Nishu Kushwaha
    Community Manager
    Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    March 27, 2026

    Hi there,

     

    Thanks for asking. USD workflows can be tricky with After Effects. At the moment, AE doesn’t have native support for importing full 3D scene data directly, so bringing in cameras/reference points from USD usually requires a workaround.

    Here’s what you do-

    1. Convert your file GLTF, GLB, or FBX. It’ll enable you to import the file in After Effects and then create cameras and lights from the scene.
    2. Open your 3D project in Cinema 4D, place null objects as per requirement and then import the scene in After Effects: 

       

    Let me know which one helps.

     

    Thanks,

    Nishu

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