Camera Tool
Create and animate cameras to navigate 3D scenes. Add depth of field and cinematic camera moves.
3D
Shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C (Cmd+Opt+Shift+C)Advanced15 min readQuick Reference
Camera Tool
Adobe After EffectsKeyboard Shortcut
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Ckey
Where to Find
Go to Layer > New > Camera or press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C (Mac: Cmd+Opt+Shift+C). Choose between One-Node and Two-Node camera
Best Used For
- ▸Creating fly-through 3D animations
- ▸Orbiting around 3D objects and scenes
- ▸Adding cinematic depth of field effects
- ▸Building virtual 3D environments
Advanced⏱ 2-4 hours to master
Key Settings
Camera Type: One-Node / Two-NodeDepth of Field: Enable / DisableAperture: F-stop control
The Camera Tool brings true 3D perspective to your After Effects scenes. One-Node cameras are great for simple fly-throughs, while Two-Node cameras orbit around a target point. With Depth of Field enabled, you can create cinematic focus effects that add realism to your 3D compositions.
Where to Find
Go to Layer > New > Camera or press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C (Mac: Cmd+Opt+Shift+C). Choose between One-Node and Two-Node cameras.
How to Use
- One-Node Camera: Simple camera that moves through position and rotation
- Two-Node Camera: Camera with a point of interest — rotates around a target
- Depth of Field: Enable in Camera Settings for realistic focus effects
- Animate: Keyframe camera position and rotation for cinematic moves
- Controls: Use the Camera Tool (C) in the toolbar to orbit, pan, and dolly
Pro Tips
- Use Two-Node cameras for orbiting around subjects
- Enable Depth of Field with a small aperture (high F-stop) for subtle focus
- Parent the camera to a Null Object for easy rigging and animation
- Press C to cycle between Orbit, Track XY, and Track Z camera controls