Extrude by Plugin Everything is a dedicated GPU-accelerated plugin for After Effects that transforms 2D layers into complex 3D extrusions with a single click. Unlike native After Effects "Cinema 4D" rendering which can be slow and restrictive, Extrude works as a standard effect on 2D layers, maintaining support for blending modes and other standard 2D effects. Core Extrusion Modes
The plugin offers three distinct ways to handle perspective and depth:
Directional: Creates a classic parallel extrusion (like a long shadow but solid) at a specific angle and length.
Vanishing: Extrudes toward a specific vanishing point, creating a sense of depth focused on a central coordinate.
3D Camera: Fully compatible with native After Effects cameras, allowing the extrusion to respond accurately as you move the camera through 3D space. Advanced Feature Set
Live Layer Support: Works directly on Live Text, Shape Layers, and Mask Paths without needing to convert them to another format first.
Inner Extrusion: Unique ability to seamlessly transition between standard outer extrusion and "inner" extrusion for hollow or inset looks.
Intuitive Shading: Features a built-in radial gradient editor supporting up to 32 colors to create complex lighting and metallic textures.
Handling "Cursed" Fonts: Built to handle self-intersecting paths and overlapping curves that typically break standard extrusion tools.
Animation Compatibility: Supports After Effects' native text animators (tracking, line spacing, character offset) and path-aligned text.
Performance: Optimized for Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR) and Apple Silicon, utilizing GPU acceleration for real-time feedback. Technical Limitations
Motion Blur: Does not generate native motion blur; it requires a post-process effect like CC Force Motion Blur .
Depth of Field: While compatible with 3D cameras, the plugin does not natively render lens-based depth of field blurring.
Shape Primitives: Parametric shapes (like the Rectangle tool) must be converted to Bezier Paths before they can be extruded.
You can find more details and purchase the plugin on the official Plugin Everything site or through aescripts.com. Extrude — Plugin Everything
Plugin Everything: Extrude for After Effects – The Ultimate Guide to 3D Depth
Plugin Everything's Extrude is a powerful tool for Adobe After Effects that transforms 2D layers—specifically live text, shape layers, and mask paths—into dynamic 3D extrusions with a single click. Unlike standard After Effects 3D options that often require switching render engines, Extrude offers a high-performance, GPU-accelerated solution that maintains compatibility with native features like text animators and cameras. Key Features and Modes
The plugin offers three distinct extrusion modes to suit different visual styles:
Directional: Creates extrusion that follows a specific 2D direction.
Vanishing Point: Extrudes toward a fixed point in space, ideal for perspective-heavy designs.
3D Camera: Fully compatible with After Effects cameras, allowing the extrusion to update accurately as you navigate 3D space. Advanced Customization Plugin Everything - Extrude for After Effects F...
Inner Extrusion: A unique feature that allows users to transition seamlessly between standard outer extrusions and inner extrusions, creating complex hollow or recessed looks.
Gradient Shading: Includes an intuitive color wheel editor that supports up to 32 colors for solid or gradient shading, giving artists complete control over the light and depth of their objects.
Live Text Support: Text remains "live," meaning you can change fonts or edit characters in real-time while the extrusion updates instantly. It even handles "cursed" or self-intersecting fonts without breaking. Performance and Compatibility
Built for modern workflows, the plugin is GPU accelerated and fully supports 32 bits per channel (32bpc) for high-fidelity results. It is also native to Apple Silicon and supports Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR) for faster previews and exports. Creative Combinations
Artists can stack multiple instances of the plugin for unique results or pair it with other Plugin Everything tools:
Repeater: Combine it with this free plugin to create complex, repeating 3D patterns.
Path Visualizer: Use it alongside this tool to showcase the underlying curves of your extruded paths. Limitations to Consider While powerful, there are a few technical limitations:
Motion Blur: Native After Effects motion blur isn't supported; it must be added post-process using tools like CC Force Motion Blur.
Depth of Field: 3D Camera mode does not currently render native camera depth of field.
Shape Primitives: Parametric shapes (like rectangles or ellipses) must be converted to Bezier paths before the plugin can extrude them. Extrude — Plugin Everything
Title: Plugin Everything – Extrude for After Effects
Subtitle: Create True 3D Extrusions Directly Inside After Effects (No Third-Party Render Engines Needed)
Description: Stop juggling between Cinema 4D and After Effects. Extrude by Plugin Everything allows you to convert any shape layer, text layer, or mask into a fully controllable 3D object instantly.
Key Features:
Requirements: After Effects CC 2019+
If you want, I can produce a shorter one-page summary, a timeline of specific release versions and dates, or a step-by-step tutorial showing exact AE settings and parameter recommendations. Which would you prefer?
Plugin Everything – Extrude for After Effects: The Ultimate Guide to Instant 3D Depth
If you’ve ever tried to create 3D text or shapes in After Effects, you know the struggle. You either have to toggle the CPU-heavy Ray-traced 3D engine, mess with Cinema 4D Lite, or stack dozens of 2D layers to "fake" depth.
Enter Extrude by Plugin Everything. It is a fast, lightweight, and incredibly effective tool designed to give your flat layers real volumetric depth without the overhead of a full 3D suite. What is Extrude?
Extrude is a professional plugin for Adobe After Effects that automates the process of creating "2.5D" extrusions. Unlike standard 3D objects, Extrude works by creating a series of offsets that simulate depth, but it does so within a single effect instance. This means you get the look of 3D with the speed and flexibility of 2D. Key Features 1. Blazing Fast Performance Extrude by Plugin Everything is a dedicated GPU-accelerated
Because Extrude doesn't rely on the heavy After Effects 3D rendering engines, your preview speeds remain high. It’s optimized for motion designers who need to iterate quickly. 2. Custom Shading and Lighting
One of the standout features is the built-in shading engine. You can define light sources to automatically highlight edges and cast shadows across the extrusion, giving your layers a premium, tactile look that "fake" extrusions usually lack. 3. Support for Any Layer Extrude isn’t just for text. You can apply it to: Vector Shapes: Perfect for logo animations. Masks: Turn simple paths into complex 3D structures. Pre-comps: Extrude entire animated scenes. 4. "Hidden" Backfaces
A common issue with manual extrusions is the "messy" look when a layer rotates. Extrude handles backfaces cleanly, ensuring that your object looks solid from every angle. Why Use Extrude Over Cinema 4D or Element 3D?
While tools like Video Copilot’s Element 3D or Maxon’s Cinema 4D are powerful, they are often overkill for simple motion graphics.
Workflow: Extrude stays inside the standard AE effect stack. You don't have to open a separate interface.
Learning Curve: If you know how to move a slider, you know how to use Extrude.
Stylized Results: Extrude is perfect for the "Flat 3D" or "Isometric" aesthetic currently dominating UI/UX and explainer video trends. Top Tips for Getting the Most Out of Extrude
Combine with Deep Glow: Since Plugin Everything also makes Deep Glow, combining these two results in stunning, cinematic neon 3D text.
Use the Gradient Tool: Apply gradients to your extrusion to simulate metallic reflections or soft plastic finishes.
Animate the Depth: Keyframe the "Depth" parameter to make logos "grow" out of the screen for high-impact intros. Conclusion
Plugin Everything - Extrude for After Effects is a must-have for any motion designer’s toolkit. It bridges the gap between flat 2D layers and complex 3D models, offering a stylish, performant, and user-friendly way to add dimension to your work.
Whether you're building a sleek corporate logo resolve or a funky character animation, Extrude provides the "pop" your project needs without the rendering headache.
Plugin Everything is a high-performance tool for Adobe After Effects that streamlines the creation of 3D depth from 2D layers. It allows motion designers to transform live text, shape layers, and mask paths into complex extrusions without the performance overhead or feature limitations typically associated with the native Cinema 4D renderer. Core Functionality and Modes
The plugin provides three distinct extrusion types to suit different visual styles: Directional Extrusion
: Projects the depth in a specific 2D direction, ideal for "long shadow" or flat-design aesthetics. Vanishing Extrusion
: Converges the extrusion toward a single point, creating a classic perspective look. 3D Extrusion : Fully integrates with native After Effects cameras
, allowing the depth to react realistically as the camera moves through the scene. Key Features and Performance
Extrude is designed for modern workflows, emphasizing speed and visual fidelity through several advanced technical features: GPU Acceleration & MFR Support : The plugin is GPU accelerated and compatible with Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR)
, ensuring fast previews and final renders even on complex projects. Live Text Integration
: Unlike many scripts that require converting text to shapes, this plugin works with live text layers Kinetic 3D typography – animated text extrusion
. You can update the font, characters, or text animators in real-time, and the extrusion will automatically follow. Shading & Color Control : It includes a built-in gradient color wheel editor
, allowing for sophisticated solid or gradient shading to define the sides of the extrusion. Inner Extrusion
: A unique feature that allows users to transition between a standard outer extrusion and an "inner" effect, adding internal depth to objects. Handling Complexity
: It features robust anti-aliasing and a "path-first" approach that handles intersecting or overlapping paths smoothly without visual artifacts. Workflow Advantages For most users, the primary draw of
is its ability to bypass the "C4D Renderer" in After Effects, which often disables essential features like blending modes, track mattes, and layer styles. Because this plugin operates as a standard effect, you can maintain your full AE toolkit while adding professional-grade 3D depth. You can find more information or purchase the tool on aescripts + aeplugins or directly from the Plugin Everything website on how to animate a text logo using its 3D camera mode Extrude Plugin for After Effects - Available Now
Extrude by Plugin Everything is a professional-grade GPU-accelerated plugin designed to add depth and dimension to 2D layers within Adobe After Effects. Unlike standard 3D rendering which can be slow, Extrude allows users to create high-fidelity 3D-esque visuals instantly on live text, shape layers, and masks. Core Features & Capabilities Three Extrusion Modes: Directional: Classic parallel extrusion. Vanishing: Extrusion that tapers toward a specific point.
Full 3D: Compatible with native After Effects cameras for accurate perspective.
Live Text Support: Text remains fully editable ("live") even after applying the effect, allowing for real-time updates without re-rendering.
Advanced Shading: Includes a built-in gradient color wheel for intuitive shading and an "Inner Extrusion" mode for unique depth effects.
High Performance: GPU accelerated for "blazing" speed, supporting Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR) and Apple Silicon native performance.
Robust Path Handling: Easily handles complex, self-intersecting, or overlapping paths that typically cause issues in standard After Effects extrusions. Technical Specifications Compatibility: Requires After Effects CC 2017 or newer.
Bit Depth: Supports 32 bits per channel (bpc) for high-fidelity professional color workflows.
Price: Currently listed at $50 on the Plugin Everything shop.
Market Availability: Available for purchase at aescripts + aeplugins and Plugin Everything. Known Limitations
Motion Blur: Native After Effects motion blur is not directly supported; users must use post-processing effects like CC Force Motion Blur.
Layer Primitives: Parametric shapes (like Rounded Rectangles) must be converted to Bézier paths before extrusion can be applied.
Depth of Field: While camera-compatible, the plugin does not natively render depth of field.
Stylistic Constraints: Does not support per-character 3D or native stroke/fill color animators within the plugin itself; these must be adjusted via the source layer's properties. Extrude — Plugin Everything
You aren't stuck with flat colors. Extrude allows you to control the diffuse, specular, and reflection properties of the 3D object. You can map a texture to the extrusion or simply use gradients to give the object a metallic or glossy plastic feel.
For years, After Effects users have lived by a specific mantra regarding text and shape layers: "It’s called After Effects, not During Effects, and certainly not Before Effects." This usually refers to the struggle of creating 3D-looking text without leaving the software. While Cinema 4D Lite offers a solution, the workflow can be clunky for simple tasks.
Enter Plugin Everything, a developer known for creating sleek, efficient tools for motion designers. Their tool, Extrude, promises to bridge the gap between 2D layers and 3D geometry directly within the After Effects timeline.
But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in.
