Newbie 3D question!

[andrewdraws]

Hello!  I've used AE quite a bit for fairly simple 2D animations. 

Now I need a very simple 3D object (a propellor) to spin, and the hub it's on to spin as well. The style of artwork is very simple vector ... an outline and a color inside. 

Two questions:

1. How best to make this simple 3d shape?

2. and... to match the rest of the artwork , it really needs a stroke (like some of the 3d cars you see in Family Guy, for example). Is this easy? it seems hard considering that the 3d object is rotating, now does the stroke stay on the perimeter?

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the question. Have you considered creating a 3D objects and then animating it? I think that's how I'd do it. I hope the community might have a better suggestion. 

Thanks,
Kevin

[andrewdraws]

Thanks Kevin!  so back to my two questions:  What the best way for an inexperienced 3Der to make a simple shape (to import into AE), and then, is it possible to make a 3D object with a stroke around it?   I just found this: Cinema 4D Sketch & Toon ... but it's not available in CD4 Lite. 

[Rick Gerard]

Take a look at Blender. It's free, powerful, has great tutorials, and can even integrate with After Effects. HTTP://blender.org