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Hi beta users!
Version 25.2.0.098 of After Effects Beta introduces support for Animated Environment Lights.
Illuminate your Advanced 3D compositions by choosing a composition, video or image layer as an Environment light source.
Getting Started
Previously, Environment lights were limited to HDR and EXR still-image files as sources. Now, you can use any 2D layer to light your 3D scene.
Environment Lights turn their source into a sphere to light the scene from all angles, so they will treat the selected layer or composition as if it is equirectangular – a 2:1 360-degree projection where the pixels at the top and bottom are stretched. Thus, using equirectangular video (e.g. footage from an Insta360 video camera or equivalent) will provide great results. However, for many scenes, using a flat video source will still provide convincing results that are “good enough”.
A frame grab from an equirectangular video, in this case taken from the roof of a car as it drives beneath a bridge
The same source used as a light source, background and reflection map on our Terminator-dinosaur "T - 1 Million BC”Environment lights will respect the overbrights and darks that can exist in HDR footage. NOTE: While HDR and EXR still images will take advantage of expanded dynamic range even in an 8-bit comp, to use expanded range with imported video clips or comps you’ll currently need to work in a 32-bit project.
Environment lights will also provide accurate reflections on objects with reflective materials. For sharper reflections, use high-resolution footage for your Environment Light source.
A reflective sphere with a high-resolution HDR Environment Light. The lighting, the shadows and reflection are all provided by the single HDR image.
Many bundled effects, such as those found in the Immersive Video category as well as the CC Environment effect, are very useful to help you create and interact with suitable animated environments. Effects like VR Color Gradients or VR Fractal Noise create seamless results when the layer is selected as an Environment light source.
This image uses an imported 3D model of a car along with an HDR 360-degree Video, and a shadow-catcher beneath the car. The video is lighting the car, reflecting in the surface of the car, casting a shadow beneath the car, and is supplying the background via the CC Environment plugin applied to a solid layer.
Tips for Testing
A simple reflection map
The previous reflection map applied to a sphere. Note how pinched the top line of text appears, while the text in the center remains legible (albeit backwards... it’s a reflection!)
We’d love to see and hear your experiences with a variety of media sources for Environment Lights!
Known Issues and Feature Limitations
Please give this new functionality a try and let us know how it’s working for you.
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