3D Channel > Fog 3D effect (Pro only)

The Fog 3D effect applies fog along the z axis, so the distant parts of a 3D scene look hazier or disappear behind the fog. Fog 3D simulates fog by behaving as though there is a scattering medium in the air that makes objects look more and more diffuse as they get more distant along the z axis.


Original (left), Gradient Layer (center), and with Fog 3D applied (right)

Adjust the following controls for the Fog 3D effect:

Fog Color

Specifies the color of the fog.

Fog Start Depth

Determines where along the z axis the diffuse scattering begins. To specify this point, first select different elements in the 3D scene, and note their z depth in the Info palette.

Fog End Depth

Determines where the most diffuse area appears along the z axis.

Fog Opacity

Determines the opacity of the fog.

Scattering Density

Determines how quickly the scattering occurs. This value works like a gamma correction: the higher the value, the more dense the fog appears from its starting point.

Foggy Background

Creates a foggy background and is selected by default. Deselect this control to create transparency at the back of the 3D scene for compositing on top of another image or scene.

Gradient Layer

Specifies a grayscale layer to use as medium for increasing or decreasing the fog density. After Effects reads the luminance value in the grayscale image and applies it as the scattering medium. You could, for example, create a gradient layer from a swirling, drifting texture to create a more atmospheric fog effect. For best results, make sure that the dimensions of the gradient layer are the same as the footage, not the composition.

Layer Contribution

Specifies how much the gradient layer affects the resulting fog.