To get started, use the mesh drawing tool from the toolbar in any of the following ways:
Last updated on
Jan 21, 2026
Learn how to create and customize parametric meshes, and understand their drawing behaviors.
Parametric Meshes are the 3D equivalent of shape layers. Using the Parametric Mesh tool or the Layer > New menu in After Effects, you can create parametric shapes such as spheres, cubes, and cones natively in the app, and customize or animate their size, shape, and appearance. You can easily make these meshes look plastic or metallic by adjusting simple, physically based material properties.
You can apply customizable Substance 3D Materials to give parametric meshes and 3D models a wide range of visual styles.
Create a Parametric Mesh
- Double-click the button to add a mesh at a default size in the Composition panel.
- Select a 3D shape from the dropdown and then use the cursor to draw a custom-sized one directly in the Composition panel.
Alternatively, go to Layer > New and select a 3D shape to get a default version of that parametric mesh added to the composition.
Use the following keyboard combination while drawing a custom-sized parametric mesh:
|
Keys |
Function |
|---|---|
|
Shift |
Constrain proportions when drawing. |
|
Command/Ctrl |
Draw from center. |
|
Shift + Command/Shift + Ctrl |
Draw from center with constrained proportions. |
|
Option/Alt with a parametric mesh tool active |
Move the camera (if you have camera navigation enabled for Option/Alt). |
|
Spacebar |
Move a mesh to a new position without leaving the tool. |
|
Option/Alt + Drag a shape |
Make copies of the mesh and parametric layer in the Composition panel, and also duplicate the parametric layers. |
Note
- When you move the camera, the parametric mesh will be drawn at the position of your cursor, relative to the scene's XYZ planes.
- You can draw parametric mesh using any camera view, including orthographic projections.
Modify the 3D shape using Mesh Options and Bevel Options (available for extruded 3D shapes) in the Properties panel.
Step text
Adjust the parametric mesh’s default material properties using the Properties panel or the Material Assignment section in the Timeline panel.
|
Default Properties |
Definition |
|---|---|
|
Base Color |
The main color property of the material, and is defined using RGBA values. |
|
Roughness |
|
|
Metallic |
|
|
Emission Color |
The color light the material appears to emit, defined using RGBA values. |
|
Emission Intensity |
Note
The adjusted value represents the material's visual appearance of light emission, but it does not mean the material is actually emitting light. The Advanced 3D engine does not support light emission from materials, so the material's emission parameters will not cast light onto other objects in the scene. |
|
Ambient Response |
Note
Adjusting this property will only have an effect in scenes with an Ambient light present. |
Tip
You can also use Substance 3D Materials (SBSAR) to stylize these mesh parametric and use exposed controls for customization.
Animate the parametric mesh or any of its properties by using keyframes.
Cube
Drag horizontally to determine width and drag vertically to set height and depth.
Sphere
Drag inward or outward to adjust the sphere's radius.
Cylinder
Drag horizontally to increase the cylinder's radius, drag vertically to increase height.
Cone
Drag horizontally to increase the cone's radius and drag vertically to adjust the height and direction the cone is pointing.
Note that the cone is always drawn upright, even if it appears to point down. For example, when pointing up, the Top Radius parameter is 0, and the Bottom Radius is 20. When the cone points down, the Top Radius is 20, the Bottom Radius is 0.
Torus
Drag horizontally to set the overall width of the torus. Drag vertically to set the overall height. Ring Radius will shrink as the Pipe Radius grows, so the torus remains inside the bounding box.
Plane
Drag to determine width and height. Planes are now drawn on the plane closest to facing the camera (X, Y or Z).
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