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Create more realistic composites over 2D content by casting shadows onto a 3D shadow catcher.

A shadow catcher is a dedicated separate plane or surface placed within the composition behind or below the object onto which other objects cast shadows. This 3D layer specifically designed to capture shadows is otherwise transparent, so the shadows appear to be cast onto the 2D layer underneath.

In After Effects, selecting Accepts Shadows to Only under the Material Options properties of the shadow catcher layer makes the layer itself invisible (transparent) while still capturing shadows cast by objects in layers above it.

A layer with balloon animal 3D model with table in the background. There is a solid 3D layer added between the 3D model and the background.
A layer with balloon animal 3D model with table in the background. The solid 3D layer is enabled as shadow catcher layer and it is not visible but accepting shadows.

An example that shows the shadow catcher layer before and after the Accepts Shadows property is specified as Only.

Before you begin:

Add a video clip or an image and import a 3d model into your project.

  1. Add a video or an image to the timeline that will act as the background for the composition.

  2. Add a 3D model that is to cast a shadow. 

  3. Add an Environment light to be used as the lighting source for the added 3D model's shadow.

  4. Add a solid layer and convert it to a 3D layer. Use the X Rotation property under the Transform to rotate and align it to the surface where the shadow needs to be cast. 

    Note:

    Solids are the simplest option, but any 3D layer that accepts shadows can function as a shadow catcher. 

  5. Place the Solid layer underneath the 3D model to make it behave like a shadow catcher layer.

    A timeline with different layers and three of the layers are highlighted – a layer with 3D model, a solid 3D layer, and a layer with a video that acts as a background for the composition.
    The sequence of layers in the timeline utilizes the shadow catcher layer for natural-looking shadows on the background.

    A. Layer with a 3D model that is to cast the shadow B. Solid 3D layer that acts as a shadow catcher C. Layer with a video or an image on which the 3D model shadow is cast 

  6. Ensure that the 3D model has the Casts Shadows option enabled.

  7. Expand the properties of the 3D solid layer, and under Material Options, toggle the Accepts Shadows option as Only.

    The Material Options for the solid 3D layer is open and it has Accepts Shadows specified as Only.
    Set the Accepts Shadows property as Only so that the layer accepts the shadows but is invisible in the composition.

  8. Modify the values for properties under the Material Options if you want to further adjust how the shadow catcher layer reacts to the light.

  9. Shadow Color defaults to black, but you can adjust the Shadow Color property to give your shadows a more natural or creative hue.

    The Shadow Color property is selected and the color picker is open.
    Use the Shadow Color property to add a natural shadow tone and create a realistic composite.

Tip:

If your 3D model has embedded animations, you can use the Animation Options to select the animation for the composition. As the animation plays back, the shadow on the shadow catcher layer gets adjusted and cast accordingly.

Result

The 3D model's shadow starts casting on the shadow catcher layer. As the shadow catcher layer is transparent with just the shadow, it looks like the 3D layer is casting shadow on the background layer.

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