Create a new composition and set it to the Advanced 3D renderer by navigating to Composition Settings > 3D Renderer > Renderer > Advanced 3D.
Last updated on
Mar 4, 2026
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Learn to create a Depth of Field effect that lets you focus on 3D models, parametric meshes, Substance 3D materials, 3D text, shape layers, and more in Advanced 3D.
Use new beta features
Support for in-engine Depth of Field in Advanced 3D is now available for testing and feedback. Try it now in After Effects (beta).
In the latest After Effects (beta) version, you can now create and use Depth of Field that works smoothly with the Advanced 3D workspace. It lets you add realistic camera‑style focus effects, making some objects sharp while others gently blur out just like a real camera would. This applies to everything you build in your scene, whether it’s 3D models, text, shapes, materials, or any other 3D element.
With this update, you get more control over where viewers focus and how your scene feels. You can highlight important details, add a sense of distance, and make your 3D compositions look more believable and immersive, all without needing extra plugins or external tools.
The support for in-engine Depth of Field in Advanced 3D even handles multiple levels of overlapping transparency, for example when your shot needs to focus on a subject visible through a window.
Enable depth of field in 3D scene
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Add elements to your 3D scene and a camera to add depth, movement, and perspective. To add a camera, go to Layer > New > Camera.
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In the Camera Settings dialog box, select the Enable Depth of Field option.
Select Enable Depth of Field to control focus by blurring foreground and background elements.
Select Enable Depth of Field to control focus by blurring foreground and background elements. You can also use the Properties or Timeline panels to enable Depth of Field under the Camera Options section.
Expand the Camera Options to adjust the focus distance, aperture, and blur levels.
Expand the Camera Options to adjust the focus distance, aperture, and blur levels. -
Use the controls in the Camera Options section of the Properties or Timeline panels to adjust the following:
- Focus Distance: Set the Focus Distance either manually or by selecting both the camera and the layer you want to focus on and going to Layer > Camera > and selecting one of the following:
- Link Focus Distance to Layer: Links the camera to the layer with an expression
- Set Focus Distance to Layer: Sets the property value
You can also select the Link Focus Distance to Point of Interest option and use the camera's controls to adjust focus distance.
- Aperture: Use the Aperture controls to determine how much of your scene can go out of focus at its blurriest point.
- Focus Area Width: Use the Focus Area Width to determine the size of the sharp region in the frame. This will enable you to keep specific objects or parts of your scene fully in focus.
- Near, Far Blur Level: Increase or decrease the foreground or background blur amount with Near, Far Blur Level. Adjust them together or individually to fine-tune your look or create exaggerated effects that go beyond the capabilities of a real-world lens.
Default Near and Far Blur Level settings that apply the initial depth-blur intensity to the scene.
Adjusted Near and Far Blur Level settings to create a smoother, more refined depth effect.
- Focus Distance: Set the Focus Distance either manually or by selecting both the camera and the layer you want to focus on and going to Layer > Camera > and selecting one of the following:
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Depth of Field quality is controlled by the general Render Quality slider in Render Options. If you see a “ripple” effect when animating the Focus Distance, increase the quality. As you increase Render Quality and enable higher-quality depth of field, render times will increase.
To access Advanced 3D Render Options, select Renderer Options from the 3D Renderer menu in the Composition panel.
Use the Render Quality slider in Render Options to adjust the balance between rendering quality and performance.
Use the Render Quality slider in Render Options to adjust the balance between rendering quality and performance.
Be part of the discussion on the support for in-engine Depth of Field in Advanced 3D in the After Effects (Beta) community here.
