Until recently, using 3D animation with motion graphics or live footage required compositing packages (such as After Effects, Nuke, and so on). Now, with the introduction of Element 3D, you can create animations while doing your color correction or working on motion graphics (all within After Effects). This can greatly decrease cost and increase speed. It also brings with it the ability to create stunning 3D animations on the editor level. Over 50 years of CGI evolution (combined with countless man-hours) brings us here.

In the next chapter, we'll introduce you to the Element 3D interface and prepare our directory structure for your first Element 3D project.