Add a video or an image to the timeline that will act as the background for the composition.
Last updated on
Jun 18, 2024
Create more realistic composites over 2D content by casting shadows onto a 3D shadow catcher.
A shadow catcher is a dedicated separate plane or surface placed within the composition behind or below the object onto which other objects cast shadows. This 3D layer specifically designed to capture shadows is otherwise transparent, so the shadows appear to be cast onto the 2D layer underneath.
In After Effects, selecting Accepts Shadows to Only under the Material Options properties of the shadow catcher layer makes the layer itself invisible (transparent) while still capturing shadows cast by objects in layers above it.
An example that shows the shadow catcher layer before and after the Accepts Shadows property is specified as Only:
Before
After
Before you begin:
Add a video clip or an image and import a 3d model into your project.
Add a 3D model that is to cast a shadow.
Add an Environment light to be used as the lighting source for the added 3D model's shadow.
Add a solid layer and convert it to a 3D layer. Use the X Rotation property under the Transform to rotate and align it to the surface where the shadow needs to be cast.
Note
Solids are the simplest option, but any 3D layer that accepts shadows can function as a shadow catcher.
Place the Solid layer underneath the 3D model to make it behave like a shadow catcher layer.
A. Layer with a 3D model that is to cast the shadow B. Solid 3D layer that acts as a shadow catcher C. Layer with a video or an image on which the 3D model shadow is cast
Ensure that the 3D model has the Casts Shadows option enabled.
Expand the properties of the 3D solid layer, and under Material Options, toggle the Accepts Shadows option as Only.
Modify the values for properties under the Material Options if you want to further adjust how the shadow catcher layer reacts to the light.
Shadow Color defaults to black, but you can adjust the Shadow Color property to give your shadows a more natural or creative hue.
Tip
If your 3D model has embedded animations, you can use the Animation Options to select the animation for the composition. As the animation plays back, the shadow on the shadow catcher layer gets adjusted and cast accordingly.
Result
The 3D model's shadow starts casting on the shadow catcher layer. As the shadow catcher layer is transparent with just the shadow, it looks like the 3D layer is casting shadow on the background layer.
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