Exercise 5 · Extrude & Stage in 3D

Project 2 · 3D Product / Logo Reveal · Week 6 · Native 3D Meshes · ~60 min

Practice goal: Build true extruded geometry on the Advanced 3D renderer and stage a reveal camera.

Set up: New project. A logo (shape/text) to give depth.

Steps

  1. New comp Main; in Composition Settings ▸ 3D Renderer choose Advanced 3D.
  2. Add a text/shape layer; enable 3D; open Geometry Options and set Extrusion Depth.
  3. Add a Bevel (style + depth) for a finished edge.
  4. Add a parametric mesh / plane as a base or stage.
  5. Add a Two-Node Camera and frame the extruded logo.
  6. Animate the camera from a raking angle to a hero framing over ~3 s; Easy Ease.
  7. Rotate the extruded logo in 3D during the move to show its depth.
  8. Add a floor plane (to catch shadows next week).
  9. Orbit to confirm it reads as true 3D geometry, not a flat card.
  10. Add motion blur on the moving layers.
  11. Save & render a preview of the reveal.

Free tutorials & references

Done when

A logo/product is extruded as true 3D geometry (bevel + depth) on the Advanced 3D renderer, staged with a two-node camera reveal and motion blur — no fake-3D cards.

Files

Pittman_Ex05_ExtrudeStage.aep → render Pittman_Ex05_ExtrudeStage.mov · versions Pittman_Ex05_ExtrudeStage_001.aep

This drill is your in-class activity for the week (worth 2 points) and ladders directly into the project.