EFX Render Elements Z Depth Tools is a free set of three After Effects plugins that work with a ZDepth pass from a 3D application, allowing depth‑based compositing, pixel selection, and shadow projection.
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Developed by reduxFX.
About EFX Render Elements Z Depth Tools
A ZDepth pass records per‑pixel distance from the camera, and EFX Render Elements Z Depth Tools from reduxFX provides three plugins to exploit that data inside After Effects. Z_Depth Compose merges two layers based on their depth maps, Z_Depth Cut isolates pixels using a depth map, and Z_Depth Shadow projects a layer onto a depth map. Version 1.5 (released February 2023) added updated licensing and improved compatibility with After Effects 2023, while maintaining support for After Effects 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020 and CC releases from 2014 through 2019. The plugins are listed as free, but users should review the developer’s licensing terms before downloading.
Features
- Z_Depth Compose: composite two layers based on their depth maps
- Z_Depth Cut: select pixels based on a depth map
- Z_Depth Shadow: project a layer onto a depth map
- Works with a ZDepth pass rendered from a 3D application
- Compatible with After Effects from CC 2014 through 2024
Best for
Compositors and motion artists who render ZDepth passes from 3D applications and need depth‑aware compositing, masking, or shadow projection within After Effects.
Frequently asked questions
Which After Effects versions does EFX Render Elements Z Depth Tools support?
The plugins are compatible with After Effects 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and the CC releases from CC 2014 through CC 2019.
Is EFX Render Elements Z Depth Tools free to use?
The catalog lists the plugins as free, though version 1.5 introduced new licensing terms that should be confirmed on the developer’s page before use.
How does EFX Render Elements Z Depth Tools use a ZDepth pass?
The set accepts a ZDepth pass—an image where each pixel stores camera distance—and provides three functions: depth‑based compositing (Z_Depth Compose), depth‑driven pixel selection (Z_Depth Cut), and layer projection onto the depth map (Z_Depth Shadow).
What changed in version 1.5 of EFX Render Elements Z Depth Tools?
Version 1.5, released on February 9, 2023, added updated licensing and enhanced compatibility with the 2023 release of After Effects; earlier updates had signed and notarized the build for macOS Monterey and fixed 16‑bit mode issues.
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