Learn Impressive Simple 3D Video Effects in Premiere Pro (+Templates)

Premiere Pro 23/05/2022 5 min read

Adding movement to your still images, screenshots, and graphic slides is a fantastic way to engage the audience. Creating a Simple 3D effect from scratch is a beneficial skill for content creators and filmmakers alike. Today, you’ll discover how to use the powerful Basic 3D effect in Premiere Pro.

Part 1: Learn How to Create a Basic 3D Effects in Premiere Pro

You’ll be able to create all sorts of cool and dynamic movements for your images with one effect; Premiere Pro Basic 3D. Once you have mastered this handy tool, you’ll be able to create any 3D motion you want.

Step 1: Add Basic 3D Movement

You can add the Basic 3D Movement to any visual layer in Premiere Pro, including still images, graphics, and video clips.  

  1. Place your image on the timeline and trim it to the required length.
  2. In the Effects panel, search for Basic 3D and add it to your video.
  3. In the Effects Control panel, experiment with the Scale, Position, Tilt, and Swivel to find the position in which you want the animation to begin.
  4. Check the Show Specular Highlights box to add the light reflection effect.
  5. Next, move your playhead to the point on the timeline where the animation should start.
  6. Go to the Effects Control panel with the clip selected and click on the stopwatch icon for the Scale, Position, Tilt, and Swivel settings.
  7. With your playhead where you want the animation to end, adjust the Scale, Position, Tilt and Swivel to your end position.
  8. In the Keyframe editor, select the first 4 keyframes, right-click and choose Ease Out.
  9. Select the last 4 keyframes, right-click and choose Ease In.
  10. Play through your animation to check you are happy with the movement.

Step 2: Add a Focal Point

Adding a focal point can help direct your viewers’ attention to a specific part of your composition. To create a focal point, you’ll need to use a mask. If you want to learn more about using Premiere Pro masks, check out this handy guide.

  1. Go to the media browser and right-click > New Item > New Adjustment Layer.
  2. Add the Adjustment Layer to the timeline above your clip, and trim the ends to the required length.
  3. In the Effects panel, search for Gaussian Blur and add it to the Adjustment Layer.
  4. In the Effects Control panel, increase the Blur Amount until you are happy with the look.
  5. Select the Circular Mask icon to add a mask to the Adjustment Layer.
  6. Click the Invert Box and adjust the Feather to hide the edge in the mask settings.
  7. Move your playhead back to the first keyframe set on your clip, and adjust the Position and Scale of the Adjustment Layer Mask to the focal point.
  8. Create a keyframe by clicking the stopwatch alongside Mask Path.
  9. Move your playhead to the last keyframe set and adjust the Position of the mask to your end focal point.
  10. Play around with the Position of the keyframes in the editor to adjust the speed of the animation.

Part 2: Simple 3D Logo Rotation

The Basic 3D tool is ideal for creating transitions and logo animations and adding movement to still images. Whatsmore, you can add flourishes like motion blur and reflections.

Step 1: Create the Logo Reflection

You can create and customize a range of reflection styles using this method, giving a smooth and sleek look to your titles, graphics, and images.

  1. Go to the media browser, right-click, and choose New Item > Color Matte in a New Project.
  2. Choose a background color and hit OK.
  3. Add the Matte Layer to your timeline and trim it to the desired length.
  4. Import your logo to the project, then right-click on the logo and choose New Sequence from the clip.
  5. Right-click on the Logo Sequence and choose Sequence Settings, then increase the Vertical Frame Size setting by half the current height (for example, 500 would become 750).
  6. Double click the Logo Sequence to open it and move the logo layer to the top of the space.
  7. Hold Alt and drag the Logo Sequence up a track in the timeline to create a duplicate. 
  8. Move the duplicate to the bottom of the space.
  9. Search for Vertical Flip and Crop effects in the Effects panel and add them to the duplicate Logo Sequence.
  10. In the Effects Control panel, crop the duplicate Logo Sequence and increase the Feathering to create a reflective look.
  11. Return to the main sequence and drag the Logo Sequence to the timeline.

Step 2: Animate your Logo

The next step is to add the Keyframe animation; we’re creating a rotating logo indent, but you can adjust the settings and experiment to create new looks.

  1. Search for and add the Basic 3D effect to your Logo Sequence.
  2. With the playhead at the start point of the animation, adjust the Swivel setting to -90º so it can’t be seen, then click the stopwatch icon to create a keyframe.
  3. Move along the timeline about 8 frames and adjust the Swivel setting until it says -1x-40.
  4. Move the playhead forward 12 frames and adjust the Swivel setting until it says -1×00.
  5. Go to the Effects Control panel and drop down the Swivel settings menu to see the Keyframe Editor Graph.
  6. Select the last Keyframe and right-click; choose Ease In.
  7. Next, select the middle keyframe and select Ease Out.
  8. In the Keyframe Editor Graph, grab the middle keyframe handle and drag it upwards to create a curved arc; play around with the graph line to see the different speed effects you can create.

Step 3: Add Motion Blur

Motion Blur is an optional extra, but it can help create a speedy-looking animation. You can add your Motion Blur effect directly to your Logo Sequence or an Adjustment Layer.

  1. In the Media Browser, right-click and choose New Item > Adjustment Layer.
  2. Add the Adjustment Layer to the Timeline above your Clip and trim as required.
  3. Search for the Directional Blur effect and add it to the Adjustment Layer.
  4. In the Effects Control Panel, adjust the Direction to 90º and the Blur Length to whatever suits your Logo.
  5. Click the Stopwatch for the Blur Length and add Keyframes to decrease the amount of blur as the Logo stops moving.

Part 3: 4 Popular 3D Effect Templates for Premiere Pro for Creatives

If you need to find a particular look or movement, templates and plugins are a fantastic option; check out these 4 popular 3D effect templates for Adobe Premiere.

1. 3D Screen

3D Screen is a fantastic set of 82 Presets, including pixelization, highlight, camera focus, camera shake, and 3d motion effects. Ideal for any editor wanting to boost their 3D tools in Premiere Pro.

Download 3D Screen Now

2. Media Frame Effect

The Media Frame Effect pack includes 8 beautiful and dynamic 3D-style animations. Just drag and drop to your clips to add to a customizable media frame for a modern and stylish look.

Download Media Frame Effect Now

3. 3D Slideshow Style Transitions

Ideal for creating slideshows, showreels, and presentations, the 3D Slideshow Style Transitions pack includes 28 assets for your Project. The 8 transitional effects perfectly frame your media, while the 20 Overlays offer stylistic looks to your compositions.

Download 3D Slideshow Style Transitions Now

4. 3D Motion Presets

The 3D Motion Presets pack is a drag-and-drop solution for your 3D movement compositions. Each preset offers a swift and dynamic 3D tracking effect, with subtle titles and light reflections.

Download 3D Motion Presets Now


3D video effects in Premiere Pro are super simple to create, offering powerful visuals with a few keyframes. For documentaries, slideshows, and business presentations, finding a way to add excitement to your still images can be challenging, but with the Basic 3D effect, you can create an impressive composition in no time.

For additional details and effects, learn how to create 3D audio effects in Premiere Pro in our recent tutorial post