What It Does
Projection 3D transforms 2D images into animated 3D scenes through camera projection mapping. You can take a flat photo and add depth by mapping scene elements onto 3D planes, then move a virtual camera through the space. The plugin handles everything from basic photo parallax effects to complex environment builds, complete with geometry modeling, camera matching, and export to external 3D software.
Version 5 ships with a completely redesigned interface and requires Blender for background processing on new features. The plugin works exclusively with After Effects’ Advanced 3D Renderer (v24.2 and above).
Key Features
3D Object Converter. Brings external 3D objects into your projection workflow. Once imported, you can texture them with your projected imagery or use them as stand-ins for scene geometry.
Displace tools. Two displacement modes: Displace Object converts depth maps into actual 3D geometry, useful for terrain or architectural elements. Displace Image handles portrait and photo displacement, adding subtle depth to faces or flat imagery without full 3D conversion.
Modeling toolkit. Build geometry directly in After Effects without leaving the comp window. Extrude pushes selected masks or polygons into 3D space. Extrude Along Path sweeps a profile mask along a second mask path (good for roads, railings, architectural trim). Spherize wraps images onto spherical surfaces. Revolve spins a profile curve around a pivot to create vases, columns, or symmetrical objects. Mask Modeler generates complex surfaces from masks, particularly useful for organic shapes like terrain or rocks. Surface Modeler handles more elaborate geometry work. Bend curves any layer or image.
Clean Edges. Generates a rough mesh automatically and strips unwanted edges with one click. Speeds up cleanup when converting photos into projection-ready geometry.
Primitives. Standard 3D shapes (cubes, spheres, cylinders) for quick scene blocking.
fSpy camera matching integration. Import camera data from the free fSpy app for accurate perspective matching. Load your fSpy file and the plugin aligns the After Effects camera to the photo’s perspective.
Water animation export. Projection mapping breaks down with reflective surfaces like water because the reflection distorts as the camera moves. This tool generates a ready-to-render water animation in Blender, solving the problem by exporting a proper simulation that respects the 3D space.
Projection Scenes Library. Pre-built projection setups you can load and customize. Saves time on common scenarios.
Stabilize 3D Matchmove. Includes a Stabilize tool for cleaning up shaky footage and a Vertigo effect for dolly zoom camera moves.
Character integration. Composite green screen actors into virtual projection environments. Useful when mixing live action with projected stills.
3D Anchor Point Editor. Repositions the anchor point of 3D or 2D objects with precise placement (top center, bottom left, etc.). Simplifies rotation and scaling around specific points.
Export options. Export solids, compositions, masks, or layers as OBJ files for use in external 3D software. Export camera animation as a Python file to bring After Effects camera moves into Blender, Cinema 4D, or Maya.
OBJ Edit. Edit imported OBJ files directly within the plugin.
Who It’s For
Motion designers who need to add depth to still images without shooting actual footage. VFX artists doing environment extensions or object removal. Anyone working on title sequences, commercial spots, or documentary work where a photo needs to become a navigable 3D space. If you’re comfortable with After Effects’ 3D workspace and want more control over photo-based scenes than basic parallax allows, this handles that gap.
You’ll get more out of it if you’re willing to learn some basic geometry concepts and camera mechanics. The modeling tools have a learning curve, but the tutorials cover most common use cases.
Pricing
$85 for a single user license. Floating server licenses available at a different rate (check aescripts.com for current pricing).
Upgrade pricing available if you own previous versions: $35 to upgrade from v4, $45 from v3, v2, or v1. Log in to your aescripts account to see the discount. Trial version available for download before purchase.