Video Copilot Element 3D V1.6 has finally been released. This update is free for all previous customers. If you’ve waited to buy Element 3D, now might be a great time to buy with all the new features added to version 1.6. You can save 5% off Element 3D and all the Model Pack bundles, including the new Metropolitan Model Pack here.
So what’s new in Element 3D V1.6?
The biggest new feature in my opinion is the new World Position pass. This allows you to composite elements such as 2D video footage accurately onto your 3D models. It also works really well when adding particle animations from Particular, which was difficult to do before this update. Unlike using a standard depth matte, the World Position pass feature maintains the position of the matte, even if you move the camera. This is great for example, if you were animating particles coming from an exhaust or an engine, (see Andrew Kramer’s feature video below to see what I mean).
Another handy positioning feature is the ability to generate a 3D position null. This is a real time saver for accurately integrating other models or footage into your Element 3D scene. Related to this you can also generate group nulls, which again greatly speeds up the workflow of this plug-in.
New planar and polygon mapping of textures allows you to create cool looking wireframe and animated gradient textures.
You can now easily relink lost project files using the automatic relinking feature.
The animation engine now gives you a shape order animation mode. This allows you to animate your Element 3D particles in a sequential fashion, again watch the video below to see an example of this in action with a line of dominoes.
Other features and bug fixes in Element 3D V1.6 include:
Added replace model option.
Added a subsampling mode for post effects.
Added render order.
Fix: issue with baked animation in different groups.
Fix: crash due to path aspect ratio fix.
Fix: occlusion map was rendering below diffuse.
Fix: masks with different aspect ratio than layer.
Fix: baked animation wasn’t working with 3D object replicator shape.
Fix: rendering issues on OSX.
Fix: crash when rendering empty scene with missing assets.
Fix: licensing popup on Windows when opening old projects.