Select a 3D text or shape layer that uses the Advanced 3D renderer.
Huling na-update noong
Nob 9, 2026
Learn how to apply Substance 3D materials to the front, side, back, and bevel of 3D text and shape layers in Adobe After Effects.
Materials on text and shapes let you give 3D text and shape layers more realistic or creative surfaces using Substance 3D Materials (.sbsar files). Instead of being limited to the default legacy options, you can apply finishes such as wood, stone, brushed metal, or other stylized textures directly to your text and shapes.
You can also control how these finishes appear on different parts of a layer. For example, you can apply different materials to the front, sides, back, and bevel, giving you more control over the final look. The workflow is the same as for parametric meshes and imported 3D models, so you can maintain a consistent approach across different types of 3D objects.
The examples show the front face, side face, back face, and bevel face (extruded edge) of the 3D text layer, illustrating how different materials can be applied to each surface.
The feature also supports layers as material sources. This means you aren't limited to Substance 3D materials—you can use content from your composition as a material too. For example, you can apply animated precompositions, solids, images, or video to the surface of 3D text and shapes. Because these sources can be animated, you can create dynamic materials that change and move over time.
Before you begin
- Create a text or shape layer, then activate the 3D Layer switch to convert it to a 3D layer.
- In the Composition panel, check whether Advanced 3D is selected in the 3D Renderer menu.
- Import .sbsar files into your project if you plan to use them as Substance 3D materials.
Select the Material Assignment dropdown in the Timeline panel.
You can also use the Properties panel to select between the following filter options to show materials that you can add:
- Show Substance 3D materials
- Show precompositions
- Show footage
Select Add Override to select from the per-face options and apply separate materials to the front, side, back, or bevel.
In the Timeline panel, select a material from the menu for the selected surface.
In the Properties panel, use the Material dropdown menu to select from the available materials.
Note
The material dropdown lists only .sbsar files already added to your project, plus layers if you've also enabled layers as material sources.
Adjust the placement, scale, rotation, tiling, and randomize offset controls to fine-tune how each material appears.
Your 3D text and shape layers now display the materials you chose on each face, while the text and shapes remain fully editable.
Note
Switching the renderer to Classic 3D or Cinema 4D reverts affected layers to their default legacy material. Projects saved in After Effects 25.x may also lose their assigned Substance 3D materials when reopened in 27.x, and multi-selecting different 3D layer types together can trigger an error.
Create stunning 3D animations in After Effects
Animate characters and illustrations, add motion to text, and more.
