Recreating a Car Commercial from Scratch in After Effects (No Shooting!)

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No CGI is just invisible CGI:    • "NO CGI" is really just INVISIBLE CGI (1/5)  

Ever wondered how those sleek car commercials are made? In this tutorial, flomotion dives into a project he's wanted to share for over a decade: recreating a car commercial entirely in After Effects, with no actual car shoot involved!

Discover how After Effects has evolved to handle professional-grade shots like these. Flomotion shares some incredible behind-the-scenes stories from a real car commercial shoot, including a prototype emergency, client interactions, and the illusion of "real" vs. CGI. You'll be surprised at how much is faked for the final look!

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We'll start from scratch in After Effects, covering:

Importing 3D Models: Learn how to bring GLB, FBX, and OBJ files into After Effects and convert other formats with Blender.
Setting up Your Scene: Create a ground plane, add environment lighting, and set up your camera for the perfect angle.
Optimizing Render Settings: Get tips on managing render quality and using the Draft 3D button for faster previews.
Camera Tracking & Alignment: Master object tracking by aligning your 3D car to a scene, plus a pro tip for using camera tools.
Realistic Lighting & Reflections: Simulate studio lighting with HDR environment maps and create convincing wet floor reflections.
Compositing Tricks: Add stunning background lights, lens flares, and advanced color grading with Lumetri Color.
Achieving Depth of Field & Grain: Learn how to add a cinematic feel with depth of field and overall grain.
This tutorial is packed with creative insights, practical After Effects techniques, and even a few secrets from the commercial world. Whether you prefer the real studio scenario or the flexibility of CGI, you'll gain valuable skills to elevate your motion graphics projects!

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