Critique: While it supports 3D models, it is not a full 3D renderer. Lighting interactions, while improved, are still somewhat basic compared to a dedicated 3D suite like Blender or Cinema 4D.
It is not perfect. The modal UI feels dated, and render times can spiral if you push the particle count or fluid dynamics too hard. Yet, it remains the most reliable way to create high-end particle effects inside After Effects.
It occupies a unique middle ground: It is too deep for the casual editor, but indispensable for the serious motion designer. It turns the abstract mathematics of particle physics into a creative, controllable medium.
Critique: While it supports 3D models, it is not a full 3D renderer. Lighting interactions, while improved, are still somewhat basic compared to a dedicated 3D suite like Blender or Cinema 4D.
It is not perfect. The modal UI feels dated, and render times can spiral if you push the particle count or fluid dynamics too hard. Yet, it remains the most reliable way to create high-end particle effects inside After Effects.
It occupies a unique middle ground: It is too deep for the casual editor, but indispensable for the serious motion designer. It turns the abstract mathematics of particle physics into a creative, controllable medium.
