How to Create a 3D Instagram Cube Transition in After Effects

I was messing around on my phone the other day and realized how simple the Instagram story 3D transitions are to create in After Effects.

I put together this quick tutorial to show you how it’s done.

Most people don’t realize how insanely easy it is to create something visually quite stunning in After Effects.

And here’s the version I made using photos of my Norwegian Forest Cat, in about 5 minutes in After Effects using true 3D with a parallel light, nulls, and parenting.

Here’s the Instagram reference:

While 3D cube transitions aren’t totally common, they are cool, and once you get the feel of how simple 3D works in After Effects, you’ll be stoked.

You can download the source files and follow along here:

https://www.uxinmotion.com/blog/how-to-create-a-3d-instagram-cube-transition-in-after-effects

Here are the steps covered in the tutorial

1. Import the design file
2. Turn the layers 3D
3. Move and rotate the right side of the ‘cube’
4. Create a null
5. Move the null position in 3D space to the volumetric center of the ‘cube’
6. Parent the two layers to your null
7. Drop a couple y axis keyframes on that sucka
8. Ease those curves with the graph editor
9. Drop a parallax light on, and enjoy!