Create Cameras from 3D Model

[Adam32584841gm6o]

Is there anyone who knows about and could explain why the option "Create Camera from 3D Model" under Camera options, is greyed out and doesn't seem to get to work? 

I understand that AE should be able to process c4d, glb, and obj files for 3D modeling, but do they need to be prepared in a certain matter for it to function, and if so how? 

With or without cameras from their separate programs does not seem to make a difference, nor does it pre-composing them. For example, adding basic lights and cameras in c4d or blender exported as glb file won't make it function. Is AE not picking up on the saved camera and lights from these files overall or does something need to be prepared beforehand?

I cannot find that much regarding this option in the AE user guide or any other place online so was hoping some friendly soul here had a good explanation. Here's a bit but I do not understand why it won't work: https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/extract-and-animate-cameras-and-lights-from-3d-models.ht...

All the best,
Adam

[Rick Gerard]

If a camera is in your C4D file and you are using Cineware, you should be able to extract it using Cineware as long as you are using the C4D rendering engine. You are trying to use the Advanced 3D rendering engine. That fouls up Cineware and is not compatible with that rendering option.

Try just dragging the 3D file from the Project Panel to the timeline.

[Adam32584841gm6o]

Hi Rick,

Thank you for the reply.

This solves one of my mistakes using Advanced 3D instead of C4D rendering with C4D files.

 

However, I realized for that specific option I am trying to use "Create Cameras from 3D Model", AE says that "You can currently extract lights and cameras from GLB, GLTF, and OBJ models in a composition" but then "

OBJ format does not support camera and light scene data."

So I went using a scene in Blender I found online with cameras, exporting as glTF 2.0 (.glb/ .gltf) giving me a GLB file to try to extract the camera into AE.

 

But still, this gives me the problem of not being able to extract the cameras or lights in AE from the file using "Create Cameras from 3D Model". I am trying to wrap my head around this function and want to understand what it does and how it functions but seems like I am missing something.

 

[Adam32584841gm6o]

Here are some better uploads of the same images:

[Rick Gerard]

Again, you are using Cineware with the Advanced 3D rendering engine, so the option to create a comp camera is unavailable. 

[Adam32584841gm6o]

I used the C4D renderer with the C4D file and was able to change the camera directly with Cineware.

However, it still leaves the problem with the GLB file from Blender as the option is still greyed out and After Effects is telling me to use Advanced 3D renderer with this one:

So I am still stuck with the option greyed out for "Create Cameras from 3D Model" using the GLB file, which I understand should be the Advanced 3D renderer as Cinema 4D not showing anything here. 
Maybe I was not really clear or misguiding a bit when throwing in a C4D file at first. 

[Adam32584841gm6o]

Does anyone know about this option greyed out and what it needs to function if it actually can "Create Cameras from 3D Model"?

All the best,
Adam

[ShiveringCactus]

My immediate thought was: do cameras export as part of GLB models?  If they do, then my guess is the AE team have not implemented that feature yet.

[Adam32584841gm6o]

Still getting into learning GLB models so I just found a scene online, but it seemed like there was a separate camera included and according to AE, it should be possible with these files. So perhaps just as you're saying ShiveringCactus, if it's not a mistake on my export, maybe it's an upcoming feature not yet fully functioning. If anyone managed to use it or it's on its way to be implemented, it would be interesting to know 🙂

[ṇubbudbud]

You're probably in luck. We're still waiting on actual multithreading, GPU usage, arbitrary resolution for MP4's, and EXR/deep image ingest and output, while they added some extra 3D rendering features. So they probably care about your use case in particular.