Adding the Element 3D plugin to After Effects involves both installing the software on your computer and then licensing it within After Effects itself. While the initial installation typically requires running a separate installer file downloaded from the developer, Video Copilot, the licensing process happens directly within After Effects.
Initial Installation (Software Setup)
Before you can use Element 3D, you need to download the installer from the Video Copilot website after purchasing the plugin.
- Download the Installer: Go to the Video Copilot website and download the Element 3D installer package for your operating system (Windows or macOS).
- Run the Installer: Close After Effects and run the downloaded installer file. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the plugin files into the correct After Effects plugin folder. This process places the necessary files (like the .aex or .plugin file) where After Effects can find them.
Activating and Licensing Element 3D in After Effects
Once the plugin files are installed, you need to activate your license within After Effects to unlock its full functionality. The provided reference details key steps for this licensing process:
- Open After Effects and Create a Composition:
- Open After Effects.
- Create a new composition.
- Create a new solid layer within this composition. This is where you will apply the Element 3D effect.
- Apply the Element 3D Effect:
- Select your solid layer in the timeline.
- Go to
Effect > Video Copilot > Element. - This applies the Element 3D effect to your solid layer.
- Open the Scene Interface:
- With the solid layer selected, look in the Effect Controls panel.
- Click on the Scene Interface button within the Element effect controls. This opens the main Element 3D plugin window.
- Generate License Window:
- Upon opening the Scene Interface for the first time (or if the plugin isn't licensed), a Generate License window will pop-up. This is the dialog box where you'll activate your copy.
- Enter Login Information to Generate License:
- According to the reference, You can enter your Video Copilot Store login information and it will generate your license for you right there.
- Input the email address and password associated with your purchase on the Video Copilot website into the fields provided in the Generate License window.
- Click the button (often labeled "Generate License" or similar) to connect to Video Copilot's servers and validate your license.
Once the license is successfully generated and validated, the Scene Interface will open fully, allowing you to start building and importing 3D models within After Effects using the Element 3D plugin.
Verifying Installation
To confirm Element 3D is correctly added and licensed:
- Check that 'Element' appears under
Effect > Video Copilotin the After Effects menu. - Apply the effect to a solid and verify that the Scene Interface opens without showing the "Generate License" window again.
Adding Element 3D involves the standard software installation followed by an in-app licensing process via the Scene Interface, utilizing your Video Copilot account credentials as highlighted in the licensing steps.
