Ultra 3D Earth Tutorial! + Free ORB Plug-in! 100% After Effects!

Introduction

Welcome back to another exciting tutorial from Andrew Kramer at Video Copilot. Today, we're diving into our new After Effects plugin, the ORB Plugin. This powerful tool allows you to create stunning 3D scenes right inside After Effects, and the best part? It's completely free! We'll be walking through the creation of a detailed Earth scene, complete with a starry background, showcasing the innovative features of the ORB Plugin.

Creating the Earth Scene

In this tutorial, we’ll recreate a realistic Earth scene and explore how to utilize functionalities like automatic shadow illumination, which causes the lights to turn on when they intersect with the planet's shadow. We will also demonstrate how to use the ORB Plugin to create a full 360-degree star field.

Getting Started with the ORB Plugin

After downloading the ORB Plugin from Video Copilot:

Create a New Composition: Start by creating a new composition in After Effects and name it "Planet."
Create a New Solid Layer: This solid should match the composition size. Call it "ORB."
Apply the ORB Effect: Go to Effects & Presets, search for ORB, and apply the Video Copilot ORB effect to your solid.
Camera Setup: Create a new 35mm camera and a point light to commence working with 3D lighting.

Loading Textures

Import Textures: Import a high-resolution Earth texture into the project.
Assign Textures to ORB: Navigate to the ORB Plugin settings and load your Earth's diffuse, glass, and bump textures.
Modify Texture Mapping: Experiment with UV texture options to achieve a seamless look by adjusting the projection type.

Illumination Settings

Adjust Illumination Features: Utilize the built-in illumination map to light up various cities around the planet.
Customizing the Shadows: Adjust the shadow light settings to ensure illumination only appears where it should.

Creating the Atmosphere

Cloud Layer: Create another solid for the clouds, apply the ORB effect, and load in your Earth cloud texture.
Alpha Channel: Use the Extract effect to create an alpha channel, allowing for transparency in your clouds.
Enhancing the Cloud Appearance: Adjust glossiness and illumination settings to achieve a more realistic look.

Final Touches

Add a Haze Layer: Create an atmospheric haze for depth.
Background Stars: Introduce stars into your scene by creating another solid, applying the ORB plugin, and utilizing a star map texture.
Camera Movement: Add subtle camera movement in the composition to bring your Earth to life.

Conclusion

With the ORB Plugin, creating a stunning Earth scene in After Effects has never been easier. The intuitive features and settings allow for a high degree of customization and creativity. Don't forget to check out our other plugins and resources at Video Copilot to enhance your projects even further.

Thanks for following along! Have fun experimenting, and until next time, happy editing!

Keywords

After Effects
Video Copilot
ORB Plugin
3D Earth
Textures
Shadows
Illumination
Atmosphere
Camera Movement
Star Field

FAQ

What is the ORB Plugin?
The ORB Plugin from Video Copilot is a free After Effects tool that allows users to create realistic 3D spheres and scenes with advanced lighting and texturing options.

Is the ORB Plugin really free?
Yes! You can download the ORB Plugin for free from the Video Copilot website.

Can I use other textures with the ORB Plugin?
Absolutely! You can use various textures, including normal and bump maps, to customize the surfaces of the spheres you create.

Does the ORB Plugin work with all After Effects versions?
The plugin is compatible with the latest versions of After Effects. It's recommended to check compatibility for older versions.

How can I achieve a realistic Earth look with the ORB Plugin?
By using high-resolution textures, adjusting lighting and shadow settings, and adding atmospheric effects like clouds and haze, you can create a very realistic Earth scene.