How do I Make a 3d Shape Layer with a transparent middle?

[neitinho]

Hello,

I have been trying to animate a logo (rotating on the y axis) for my friend for his brand Eternal. His main logo is a cross with a transparent middle (as seen in the first screenshot). After making it a shape layer the middle stays transparent, however, once making that shape layer a 3d layer the middle gets filled and the cross is solid. I would like for the middle to continue transparent so I can edit the extrusion depth and add it to videos or even a website. How do I do that?

[RobShultz]

I'd build it in AE's Cinema 4d plugin.

[neitinho]

Sorry I have just started uing After Effects how would I do that?

[David Arbor · Accepted solution]

Try switching from the Cinema 4D Renderer to the new Advanced 3D Renderer. It should do what you want and be a heck of a lot faster.

[neitinho]

I switched the render from Cinema 4D to Advanced 3D and it still fills it in 😞

[David Arbor · Accepted solution]

Are you sure your path is drawn as a true outlined shape? I tested this with the Advanced 3D Renderer and it worked for me. Either make sure your shape is truly outlined with nothing in the center, or if your shape is made up of two shapes, use the Merge Paths operator to subtract the inner shape.

[neitinho]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! When I went to try out your solution I didn't know how to use the merge paths and it was subtracting the wrong thing. That was so much easier oml thank you !!!

[David Arbor]

Awesome, glad to hear it!