How to Create 3D Lottie Animations with Extrudalizer

Creating stunning 3D animations has always been a sought-after skill in the design industry. However, when it comes to crafting these animations, things can become a bit complex.

In the realm of animation, the transition from 2D to 3D has been nothing short of revolutionary. This shift has allowed motion designers, storytellers, and animators to explore a new dimension of creativity - giving life to characters and worlds with an unprecedented level of realism and depth.

Why use 3D animations?

3D animation, which harnesses the potential of cutting-edge technology, is poised to be the future linchpin of this art form. It's not just about stunning visuals - 3D animation enables the creation of more dynamic storytelling and animate character expressions. The added depth and spatial awareness in 3D animation give creators the freedom to immerse the audience in rich environments, making the experience more engaging and relatable.

As we embrace this three-dimensional canvas, we pave the way for uncharted territories of imagination, storytelling, and emotional connections through animated content.

This is where Extrudalizer, a plugin developed by IVG Designs, becomes an invaluable tool. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner motion designer in the field, Extrudalizer empowers you to bring your creative visions to life to three-dimensional heights with Lottie.

What is Extrudalizer?

Taking the leap into 3D animation is more accessible than ever, thanks to an array of tools and plugins available to animators. Extrudalizer is an innovative Lottie-compatible script for Adobe After Effects that simplifies the process of creating mesmerizing 3D Lottie animations.

This nifty tool acts as a bridge, allowing artists to transform 2D elements into 3D objects within the Adobe After Effects environment.

Extrudalizer streamlines the process of adding depth and dimension to flat illustrations or text. This makes it easier for animators, who are traditionally grounded in 2D animation, to venture into the realm of 3D without a steep learning curve. The plugin works by extruding the elements, enabling you to manipulate and animate them in a 3D space.

The tool gives complete control over the object's depth, position, rotation, and scale, and it even allows for adjustments to the original 2D path. The result? A dynamic 3D animation, created with relative ease that is compatible with the Lottie platform. Additionally, you can export it using the LottieFiles plugin for Adobe After Effects.

Creating your first 3D Lottie with Extrudalizer

Now, how do you do it? Once you've installed the Extrudalizer plugin, creating 3D Lottie animations is as straightforward as it gets. For that we’ve created a quick tutorial showing you how to create a 3D Lottie animation using Extrudalizer.

Check it out below:

We have also listed the steps below for your reference.

1. Start by installing the Extrudalizer plugin by IVG Designs in Adobe After Effects.

2. Create a shape layer in Adobe After Effects and ensure it is converted to a bezier path layer. Use the center anchor point button to align the anchor point perfectly.

3. Decide on the type of fill you want for your shape, whether solid or gradient, for both the front and back. You can also choose solid or gradient fills for the sides. The number of subdivisions on your shape can be adjusted using the corresponding option.

4. For this tutorial, let's stick to the solid fill option. Once you've made your choices, click the "Extrudalize" button to initiate the extrusion process.

5. The pitch, roll, and yaw options allow you to rotate your shape around its origin. The orbit parameters enable rotation around the anchor point, represented by a red dot.

6. Move to the last frame of your animation and instead of copying the values from the first frame, add a value of 1 to complete the rotation.

7. If you see a red dot representing the anchor point in your animation and wish to hide it, simply check the corresponding box.

8. To adjust the color of your shape, you can modify the color of the back using the provided option. For the sides, use the corresponding option to change their color.

9. Once you are satisfied with the design, it's time to optimize your Lottie file. Click on the "Optimize Lottie" button to eliminate any unnecessary effects and expressions to streamline your animation.

10. To complete the process, open the LottieFiles for Adobe After Effects plugin and export your creation as a Lottie.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a stunning 3D animation and exported it as a Lottie. Now you can showcase your extraordinary designs and impress others with your creativity.

Give your Lottie animations more dimensions now

Extrudalizer is indeed groundbreaking in the world of motion graphics. It not only simplifies the process of creating 3D Lottie animation, but also offers a plethora of customization options that allow you to let your creativity run wild.

You can check out IVG Design’s YouTube tutorials on Extrudalizer at youtube.com/@Ivg_design, or start downloading the plugin for Adobe After Effects at aescripts.com/extrudalizer.