Hot After Effects How-Tos


How To: Create a demon face on your video with After Effects
If you want to add some great effects to your videos and make some dramatic changes, you can do so by using Adobe After Effects. You will see how you can morph one part on a video, to transform a facial expression to turn into a demon face. You will get tips on how to achieve that type of outcome by clicking on a few options.

How To: Create a twinkling star effect in Adobe After Effects
This is a great background for Christmas plays, holiday pageants or any other video you want to add a little twinkle! You can add a twinkling star quite easily in Adobe After Effects, and this tutorial shows you exactly how!

How To: Import images with transparency into After Effects
In this software tutorial you will learn how to manipulate images in Photoshop to remove the background and then bring that transparent background image into After Effects without loosing the transparency. The Photoshop section covers the use of the Magnetic Lasso tool and Quick Mask to remove a background. With the image adjusted, you will learn how to import your new image into After Effects with preserved transparency.

How To: Create a Super 8mm effect in After Effects
Using Curious Turtle's Film Wash Color Effects in After Effects create a Super 8 look to your film. In this tutorial, you will learn how to build up a color grade using several layers, then using expressions and After Effects own filters to finish the look. To learn more about the Film Wash, visit www.curiousturtle.com

How To: Make shimmering glitter in Particular in After Effects
In this After Effects tutorial, Creative Cow leader, Michael Park, demonstrates how to simulate shimmering glitter particles using fractal noise, colorama effect and Trapcodes Particular plugin. Make shimmering glitter in Particular in After Effects.

How To: Create a Twilight Zone-style opening in After Effects
In this clip, Chad Perkins shows you how to create various elements for use in a Twilight Zone-esque TV show opening, using After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator and Cinema 4D. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step ins...

How To: Visualize audio with Trapcode Form in After Effects
This software tutorial teaches you how to use Trapcode Form, and After Effects plug-in, to visualize audio. Trapcode form is used to bend nature to your will by creating flame, smoke and other organic 3D shapes — and then synchronize it with your favorite audio. This After effects tutorial will show you how to visualize that audio in Form. Visualize audio with Trapcode Form in After Effects.

How To: Create tornado text in After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Eran Stern shows you a very cool way to create 3D ribbon text animation using After Effects CS3 Text tool. Part two enhances the 3D ribbon text composition by adding a ripple effect to the floor plus a flock of fireflies that dance around the scene. Create tornado text in After Effects - Part 1 of 2.

How To: Create a simple scrolling LED display in After Effects
This simple After Effects tutorial from Laurence Grayson will show you how to use CC Ball Action effect in AE to create a realistic scrolling LED signboard effect, like the ones you see at conference centers and football stadiums. Then end result can be altered to suit your project, and corner-pinned into a scene. There are no plug-ins required, and this method uses the standard toolset in CS3, CS4, and CS5.

How To: Creating The James Bond 007 Intro with After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Michael Park shows you how to achieve that classic introduction to all of the James Bond films using only basic After Effects plugins.

How To: Change the color of an object in After Effects
This video shows you how to change the color of an object in After Effects.

How To: Create custom particles in After Effects
Are you getting better at using After Effects and finding that you want to create your own custom particles instead of using the default ones? Then this video is for you. It will show you how to create custom animated particles which can be used to create all manner of cool effects like the one created as an example for this video. Don't keep using clublets of particles, make them do what you want them to do.

How To: Make abstract waves in After Effects with the Trapcode Form plug-in
Creating an abstract wave effect in After Effects will allow you to make graphics like those in the thumbnail, basically clouds of particles with that smokey / silky effect like they used in James Bond titles. This video will show you how to make this effect yourself in After Effects in two parts. Apply this technique to your titles and they should be much, much sexier.

How To: Create a cross-processed LOMO effect in After Effects
Give a vintage look to your footage similar to that obtained from LOMO Cameras. Originally LOMO cameras are still cameras that are used for causal cheap photography. But the photographs obtained from such cameras have a unique look to it. In this tutorial you will learn to digitally manipulate cross-processed LOMO effect and add it to your video footage.

How To: Change UI colors in After Effects
Learn how to change the interface colors in After Effects.

How To: Create your own Presets in Adobe After Effects
Make your job a little easier by setting presets in After Effects. This will allow you to save time while you add visual effects to your film. Having custom presets makes it much simpler to achieve consistency is your VFX.

How To: Create a force field effect in Adobe After Effects CS5
Want to create a force field effect within a video project? This clip will show you how it's done using only stock After Effects CS5 plug-ins.

How To: Get rid of edge seams in Adobe After Effects
Interested in getting rid of edge seams within Adobe After Effects? This video guide will show you how it's done. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular compositing editor or just want to better acquaint yourself with the popular video editing program, you're sure to benefit from this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this tutorial.

How To: Composite green screen shots with Maya, After Effects
Compositing green screen images with images from other sources is the most important part of using a green screen. This video will teach you how to composite a green screen element with a 3D stage created using Maya in After Effects. The end result looks very professional, and your videos will as well after you apply the lessons from this video.

How To: Use Colorista in After Effects (advanced)
This software tutorial is an advanced color correction tutorial showing you how to color correct with the Colorista plug-in for After Effects. It assumes you already know how to use Colorista for basic color correction and will cover power masking. Learn how to use power masking and motion tracking for secondary color correction in the Colorista plugin for After Effects.

How To: Get 8 free VU meter plugins for Mac FCP, AE and Motion
VFX artist Roger Bolton has worked on films including The Lord of the Rings, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Kingdom of Heaven. He has also created effects for his own use -- in this case, a wide variety of 2D and 3D VU meters, automatically animated by the audio in your project. He now offers these 8 plug-ins to artists using Final Cut Pro, After Effects and Motion -- with no watermarks, no time limits, no price tag. Please note: these plug-ins are MAC ONLY. Get 8 free VU meter plugins...

How To: Expand the boundaries of footage in After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you a an often-missed tool in After Effects (Grow Bounds) that can help you out in a pinch, by expanding the boundaries of your footage. Expand the boundaries of footage in After Effects.

How To: Simulate air flow over an object in After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to simulate airflow over an object by using the After Effects CS3 puppet tools with a particle system. Simulate air flow over an object in After Effects.

How To: Convert video to cartoon in After Effects
In this three part tutorial Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz explains the process of converting video to cartoon by using only After Effects and Adobe Illustrator CS2. Even if you don't want to create this exact effect, this tutorial covers a TON of basics and is a worthwile learning experience. Topics discussed: Dealing with interlaced footage, Basic Color and Image Correction, Creative Outlines, rendering an image sequence, using layer blending/transfer modes, Motion Tracking, Hold Key...

How To: Use fractal noise in After Effects
In this tutorial, Aharon Rabinowitz introduces you to the Fractal Noise Effect, and shows you how to create the animated backgrounds seen in the opening of the Creative Cow After Effects tutorials. Fractal noise is a powerful way to add variation and randomness to surfaces or scenes and this tutorial only covers the VERY basic basics of the tool. Use fractal noise in After Effects.

How To: Turn A Flat 2D Image into 3D
In this short tutorial i will show you how you can turn a flat 2D image of a room or hallway into a 3D Room using Vanishing points in Photoshop and After Effects.

How To: Create cartoon animation with After Effects
A lot of people use Flash for 2D cartoon animation, but Adobe After Effects is another great tool to create some very cool cartoon animation. This how to gives you a clear idea of the steps to take to use AE as a cartoon creation device. This short video tutorial will demonstrate how to properly export character animation from Flash and import it into After Effects to combine with background and foreground elements. It also gives a handy trick of how to duplicate a character animation clip to...

How To: Use FreeForm to simulate flowing cloth or ribbon in After Effects
You can use the FreeForm plugin to create the look of cloth blowing in the wind - like an animated ribbon, or a banner waving in the wind. The key is in designing the displacement map to get a truly realistic effect.

How To: Create visually stunning compositions from 3D renders in After Effects
Compositing and color correction are important and integral steps in processing a 3D render after it is generated in Cinema 4D, 3D Studio Max or any other 3D package. Compositing transforms simple renders and provides them with life, vibrancy and atmosphere. In this demonstration, Greyscale Gorilla breaks down a 5 second project from Rich Hinchcliffe and demonstrates how Rich uses Adobe After Effects, color correction, blurs, ReelSmart Motion BLur, Frischluft Lens Care and Lens Flares to tran...

How To: Turn a 2D still image into a 3D space using After Effects
This tutorial shows you how to replicate a popular Hollywood technique. It can be difficult to get the camera projection look with an actual camera, but Adobe After Effects has an easy alternative. Turn any 2-D still image into a dynamic 3-D clip.

How To: Create a radial sunburst effect in Adobe After Effects
In this free video software tutorial, you'll learn how to create a sunburst effect when compositing footage in After Effects. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular compositing application or a seasoned digital video professional merely looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to be well served by this video guide. Take a look.

How To: Create a text-to-sand transition with Trapcode Form in After Effects
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create dissolving text-to-sand transitions with Trapcode Form within Adobe After Effects. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide. Create ...

How To: Create a stitch effect with Trapcode Particular in Adobe After Effects
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create a stitched denim effect with Trapcode Particular. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide. Create a stitch effect with Trapcode Par...

How To: Loop particles with Trapcode Particular & Starglow in Adobe After Effects
In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to create a seamlessly looping particle system within Adobe After Effects with Trapcode Particular and Starglow. For all of the specifics, and to get started using this effect in your own projects, take a look! Loop particles with Trapcode Particular & Starglow in Adobe After Effects.

How To: Create a Star Trek-style transporter effect in Adobe After Effects
In this clip, you'll learn how to use the Key Correct Pro, Knoll Light Factory Pro, Magic Bullet Looks and Trapcode Particular plug-ins in Adobe After Effects to create a sci-fi transformer effect. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detai...

How To: Create a particle animation loop with After Effects & Trapcode Particular
This video guide offers a complete overview of how to create a seamless looping particle animation with Trapcode Particular and Adobe After Effects. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free v...

How To: Make a pulse or pulsating wave effect in After Effects
Making really attractive titles for your films is just one of the way that you can dramatically improve them using After Effects. This video will help you make them by showing you how to create a pulse or pulsating wave effect from whence your titles can emerge. They look great, and will make your movie (especially horror or sci-fi movie) look much more professional right from the beginning.

How To: Make a talking animals effect using After Effects
A LOT of movies have featured talking animals. Especially now that the technology is readily available to even low-budget filmmakers to make animals appear to be talking very realistically. If you've wanted to make your own talking-animal film, this video is here to help. It wills show you how to make animals talk using After Effects, creating and syncing mouth movements to fit your sound and leaving you with one charismatic cat, dog, fish, or marmoset.

How To: Import footage into PFTrack and export it to Cinema 4D
In this tutorial, you'll see how easy it is to bring your footage into PFTrack and then quickly take that data into Cinema 4D to begin to add your elements. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including complete instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create a demon face warp effect in After Effects
To bring demons back from the dead is tricky business, and what you need to do is get some candles, a blanket, and a book of spells. Also, possibly some snacks in case you do bring those demons into the living world, because they're going to be hungry, and you don't want them to eat you, do you? And where you need to go is a graveyard, and you have to go at night. Also, bring a friend, because dying alone is horrible, if it comes to that.