Video Copilot Element 3D
Version 2.2.3.2192 · Video Copilot · Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit) · ranked #134 in the library
A plugin that puts a real time 3D render engine inside a compositing host, so extruded logos, replicated objects and particle arrays live and animate in the same timeline as the footage instead of being rendered elsewhere and imported.
Read the installation section below before you start. The order of the steps matters on this release.
About this release
Overview
Element 3D is a render engine that runs as a plugin inside a compositing application rather than as a separate 3D program. It imports real geometry, extrudes text and shapes, and renders the result on the GPU fast enough to work with in the viewport. The reason motion designers reached for it is that the 3D lives in the same timeline as the footage: it lights to the same scene, moves with the same camera, and composites with everything else without a round trip to another package and back.
The engine is built for the jobs motion graphics actually needs rather than for full 3D modelling. Extruded logos and titling with real bevels and materials, arrays of replicated objects driven by particle logic so a hundred copies animate from a few controls, and a material system with proper reflection, refraction and physically based response. Because it renders in real time on the card, you design by dragging sliders and seeing the result rather than waiting on a render.
It ships with a library of ready geometry and materials so useful results start immediately, and it imports models from the common exchange formats to bring in your own. It reads the host's 3D camera and lights, casts and receives shadows against the scene, and outputs with proper motion blur and depth of field. This build includes the bundled model and material packs that make it productive out of the box.
What it does
Feature breakdown
Real time GPU rendering in the host
3D geometry rendered on the card fast enough to design in the viewport, inside the compositing timeline.
Extrusion and titling
Extrude text and vector shapes with real bevels and materials for logo and title work.
Particle driven replication
Replicate an object across a field and animate a hundred copies from a handful of controls.
Physically based materials
Reflection, refraction and proper light response, with an environment for realistic reflections.
Host camera and light integration
Reads the host's 3D camera and lights, casting and receiving shadows against the rest of the scene.
Bundled model and material packs
A library of ready geometry and materials included, plus import of common 3D exchange formats.
Changed in this build
Version 2.2.3.2192
- Improved GPU memory handling on scenes with heavy replication.
- Faster viewport response on high polygon imported models.
- Better material translation from imported geometry.
- Refined motion blur on fast moving replicated objects.
- Additional preset materials added to the bundled library.
Installation
Follow these in order
- Install and close your compositing host first so the plugin can find it.
- Go offline.
- Extract the archive.
- Disable real time protection.
- Run setup as administrator and let it place the plugin and the bundled packs.
- Open the host, confirm the plugin loads, then re-enable protection.
Release notes
From whoever packed it
- The plugin version must match a supported host version. Check compatibility before installing over a working setup.
- A GPU with enough VRAM makes a large difference. Below the minimum it will refuse to render complex scenes.
- The bundled model packs install alongside the plugin so useful geometry is there from the start.
System requirements
Minimum and recommended
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 22H2 or Windows 11, 64-bit |
|---|---|
| Host application | A supported compositing host must be installed for the plugin to load |
| Memory | 16 GB minimum, 32 GB for heavy scenes |
| Graphics | GPU with 4 GB VRAM minimum, 8 GB recommended |
| Storage | 4 GB for the plugin and bundled packs |
Questions about this release
Answered before you ask
- Does it work without a host?
- No. It is a plugin and the compositing host drives it.
- Can I import my own models?
- Yes, it imports the common 3D exchange formats alongside the bundled library.
- Does it use the host's camera?
- Yes, it reads the host's 3D camera and lights so the render matches the rest of the scene.
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