Ready to take your video footage to the next level with 3D integration? Let’s explore how post-processing in After Effects can help you achieve a more believable integration between real video clips and CG models.

Welcome back to the third installment of our series on using 3D models integrated into actual video sequences. In the previous articles (part I; part II), we explained the process from scratch using a professional tool named PFTrack. With camera tracking, PFTrack allows analysis of the video sequence and taking subsequent actions.

In this article, we’ll highlight a few points and a checklist to follow before setting up a 3D scene based on the actual sequence. By now, you should be more accustomed to planning your scene with the following:

• HDRI for ambient light or directional light to emulate the presence of the sun.
• Hidden geometries used to cast or receive shadows.
• 3D planes are used to both model the terrain elevation and understand where to locate 3D objects in space.

But does color match solely depend on the renderer? Of course not! As you’ve probably realized, the renderer gives you a great result, but the icing on the cake is up to the compositing software.

There are several tools for adding post-processing effects and working in post-production. We’ll focus on After Effects, but if you feel more comfortable working with Nuke or any 3D software, go ahead!

And, by the way, check out the final sequence we’ll discuss in After Effects later. Watch it in 4K for a better definition!