Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Element 3D does not have a raytracing ability yet. Instead, you have to cheat the
system by using reflection maps (an image that acts as a reflection instead of looking
at the true environment of an object). This means that you shouldn't imagine that
you can stick an object in front of a shiny object and see it's reflection in Element.
Similarly, refractions are cheated. Instead of tracing true refractions, Element 3D
appears to use depth as a type of displacement map on the layers behind it. Therefore,
any objects put in the scene won't get refracted. However, any layers in After Effects
under the Element layer will refract. It helps with render speed, but it can be a pain
trying to figure out a way to make good refractions with multiple 3D objects.
Again, because the black parts of the lamp are not shiny or transparent, we want to
use matte to make it so that only the glass sections show reflections and refractions.
We also want our environment map (the actual reflection) to kind of match the
environment that we're in.
First, let's switch the environment. It can be switched by object (using the environment
map section of the
Textures
section). However, why not hit this one with a sledge
hammer and set the environment for all objects? At the top of your interface, select
Environment
. You'll get a requestor just like the one you got for diffuse and specular.
Instead of clicking on
Load Texture
, click on the down arrow (this shows the stock
maps). Select
studio_warm_blurred
. There, now our environment is indoors at least:
