Last year, we were tasked with creating a series of in-stadium race car graphics capable of showcasing multiple permutations and outcomes. However, generating 3D renders is time-intensive, and the massive resolutions of stadium screens only compounded the challenge. Although the project ultimately didn’t materialise, the concept lingered in our minds and sparked a question: could we develop a method for producing quick, easily adjustable race renders?
We developed a fully animated racecourse featuring cars, an animated crowd, tire marks, and exhaust effects, all fully controllable within After Effects. While the assets were pre-rendered in Cinema 4D, key elements such as the positions, directions, tracks, and smoke effects are entirely adjustable in After Effects, providing both flexibility and precision in customization.
We designed a collection of cars in classic colors and liveries to evoke a strong sense of time and place. With bold, chunky aesthetics, the visuals capture the spirit of the V12 era, bringing its iconic charm vividly to life.
You can easily adjust each car’s position and direction on the track by modifying the spline that defines its path. Tweaking the positional keyframes on the timeline alters the car’s speed:
tPath=thisComp.layer("Path").content("Spline").content("Path 1").path;tLayer=thisComp.layer("Path");tLayer.toComp(tPath.pointOnPath(thisComp.layer("Car").effect("Mover")("Slider")/100))Simultaneously, while the spline’s tangents control its direction. This system leverages 120 pre-rendered rotational frames, ensuring seamless and precise movement:
L = thisComp.layer("Move");v = L.toWorldVec([1,0]);radiansToDegrees(Math.atan2(v[1],v[0]))*(-1)
Below are the fully composited render sets, showcasing all the cars, skid marks, exhaust effects, cloudy conditions, and animated track elements! We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into how we brought this exciting project to life using straightforward pre-rendering techniques and dynamic After Effects expressions.
As a final twist to the project, we thought it would be exciting to create a fully native 3D-rendered version of the track, viewed from a thrilling first-person perspective!
Below, you’ll find the complete 3D render along with a selection of captivating shots from within the miniature world we brought to life!
