From the course: After Effects Apprentice: 11 3D Space

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Refraction in CS6

Refraction in CS6 - After Effects Tutorial

From the course: After Effects Apprentice: 11 3D Space

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Refraction in CS6

In the previous movie, we created some completely translucent text. To make it easier to read, we increased the Transparency Rolloff parameter just to get some definition back to the edges. However, this is not a realistic look. Normally, when light rays travel through translucent objects, they get bent whenever they hit the interface between two different materials, like between air and glass. Well, to simulate that effect, you want to pay attention to the Index of Refraction parameter in After Effects. Right now, only the text is in 3D, the background is in 2D, and you will remember the 2D and 3D layers do not interact with each other in After Effects. You'll still get a composite based on alpha channels and partial transparency, but a 3D layer by itself cannot bend the rays of a 2D layer. But even in this simple case, light rays are bouncing around inside this 3D object itself. So as I increase my Index of Refraction, you'll see some changes happening, and basically how light rays…

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