Tutorial: 100% Accurate Reflections

In this After Effects tutorial I will demonstrate to you how to build a two-camera rig in order to create perfect 3D reflections. Using this technique, you will be able to reflect not only 3D layers, but also lights, particles, as well as any plug-in that obeys the movement of AE’s 3D camera.

The setup is trivially easy when using hand-animated cameras, but in the second half of the video I also show you how to create a more complex rig for use with Video Copilot’s Sure Target 2 camera controls.

The music used in the preview is a fragment of an Instrumental Mix of Perfect Exceeder by MASON vs Princess Superstar.

Running time: 51 min
Difficulty: Easy (you will be surprised how easy)
Required tools: After Effects (CS3 and above)
Optional plug-ins: VC Optical Flares, Knoll Light Factory, Trapcode Lux, Trapcode 3D Stroke, Trapcode Particular

Preview video:

Tutorial:

Download the files associated with this tutorial below:

• Project File
  http://downloads.qubahq.com/tutorials/QubaHQ_Reflections.zip
• Tutorial (100MB MP4)
  http://video.qubahq.com/tutorials/QubaHQ_Reflections.mp4

You may also download the tutorial from its Vimeo page. The preview video can also be watched on YouTube.

I will not teach you how to create the trailer, but I am attaching the AE file in which I created it. Dissect it on your own :) Also, keep in mind you can animate the floor and the rig is going to hold – well, as long as you don’t tilt it.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.