Hot After Effects How-Tos
How To: Create an animated butterfly in Adobe After Effects
In this two-part tutorial, J. Schuh demonstrates how to animate a layered image of a butterfly using After Effects CS4.
How To: Edit mask properties in Adobe After Effects
Get started using Adobe After Effects with the help of The New Boston! This beginner's tutorial is bound to answer the many questions you have about the popular digital motion graphics and compositing software. The main purpose of After Effects is for film and video post-production.
How To: Copy expressions to other layers in After Effects
In this video tutorial, CreativeCow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you a menu item for speeding up the process of copying expressions to other layers, without typing or altering the current values in After Effects. Copy expressions to other layers in After Effects.
How To: Create a Kamehameha (energy blast attack) from Dragon Ball in After Effects
No, the Kamehameha is not the famous Hawaiian king who united all the islands under his rule from 1795 to 1819. Nope. However, it is named after him. But in this case, Kamehameha is an energy blast attack shown in the Dragon Ball Z series. And with this After Effects tutorial, you're going to learn how to recreate this energy attack.
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: Make elements grow in After Effects
Jayse Hansen demonstrates how to create graphic elements that will grow in After Effects. Now we have a step by step tutorial. More experienced users are welcome to skip around using the included menu. Using simple masking techniques doesn't always do the trick, this in depth tutorial gives you some better techniques. Make elements grow in After Effects.
How To: Control the camera point of interest in After Effects
Expressing the camera: animating along a path. Rick Gerard presents a five minute tutorial movie as the second in a series that teaches basic After Effects Camera animation. In this example you'll learn how to simplify animating a camera over a still image and how to orient the camera along a path using expressions to gain complete control. Control the camera point of interest in After Effects.
How To: Loop still images to fake a 3-dimensional movement over a surface
In this tutorial, After Effects is used in actual realtime to create a video comp that simulates a forward three-dimensional movement. Several images are arranged into a layered, three-dimensional composition, and a single image is tiled into a surface pattern that is offset tilted and scrolled forward indefinitely. Several additional elements are also mentioned to add realism and depth to the forward scrolling movement, including foreground elements, background images, camera shake, camera p...
How To: Track a simple object in After Effects
Learn the fundamentals of position tracking in After Effects in this informative 5 minute tutorial from Patrick Carter. This video lesson involves attaching a text object to a moving cowboy on screen to demonstrate the basic transform tracking function.
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: 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: 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: Do node-based compositing as an After Effects user
In this tutorial, we take an introductory look at node based compositing from the perspective of an After Effects user. If you are someone who has lots of experience with After Effects, and wants to get into using a program like Shake, Nuke, or Fusion, this will help you get on the right track. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular compositing application or are just looking to get better acquainted with AE and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software ...
How To: Create a colorful abstract animation in After Effects
This clip explores the use of presets in After Effects CS4 and CS5 to make an interesting element that can be used in a variety of situations. Besides, it’s just cool looking! 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 inst...
How To: Animate a background in After Effects
Creating cool background for videos is just one of the many awesome things that you can do using Adobe After Effects to do your effects editing. This three-part video will teach you how to create animated backgrounds and add additional text with flare. The results look very cool, as will your video after your apply these lessons.
How To: Create a 1980s retro video game look in After Effects
In this clip, Aharon Rabinowitz walks you through the process of creating the look of a vector style arcade game from the early 1980's. He'll use PlaneSpace, Particular, & Text Anarchy, as well as expressions and other techniques. 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 ...
How To: Make 3D objects in After Effects
Adobe After Affects is a great piece of software that allows you to make movie quality videos with great design and beautiful picture. If you want to know how to construct three dimensional objects, take a few minutes and watch this video! It takes you through simple, easy-to-follow steps on how to make three dimensional shapes and objects! It takes only 3 minutes to learn how, then you will be designing your own 3D things in seconds using After Effects! Make sure to listen closely. You need ...
How To: Use Vector Smart Objects in Adobe After Effects
After Effects is one of the best digital motion graphics software programs out there. Learn it. Now.
How To: Warp, deform, & explode 3D text in After Affects
In this Boris FX video tutorial we show you how to employ the power of vertex shaders to warp, deform and even explode 3D extruded text using Adobe After Effects and the new 3D Objects from Boris Continuum Complete 6 AE.
How To: Remove chromatic aberration in Adobe After Effects
In this tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Carl Larsen shows you how to remove chromatic aberration from your footage using Adobe After Effects. If you are wondering what chromatic aberration is, don't worry he explains that too.
How To: Create a bleach bypass effect in Adobe After Affects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Grant Swanson demonstrates a quick, easy and very high quality bleach bypass effect right inside of After Effects. Understand what the term refers to and how to simulate it in the digital intermediate process or on digital video, using After Effects.
How To: Animate opacity in Adobe After Effects
Get started using Adobe After Effects with the help of The New Boston! This beginner's tutorial is bound to answer the many questions you have about the popular digital motion graphics and compositing software. The main purpose of After Effects is for film and video post-production.
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 ray traced light reflections in After Effects
Andrew Kramer demonstrates how to create ray traced light reflections inside After Effects. After Effects does not handle ray traced reflections natively so follow along with tutorial and learn some cool tricks to get a ray traced effect. Create ray traced light reflections 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 a lightning bolt effect using After Effects and the Trapcode Suite
The Trapcode suite is a set of plug-ins for After Effects that allow video artists to create a variety of effects for inclusion in video and film productions. This particular guide demonstrates the power of Trapcode Particular and Trapcode 3D Stroke. Specifically, Wes Ball from OddBall Animation reveals how Trapcode was used in the creation of 'Eye of the Storm' - a music video by Lovett which can be seen here.
How To: Use the FreeForm plugin for Adobe After Effects to create a liquid pour effect
You can simulate the look of fluids using the FreeForm plugin for Adobe After Effects. Play around with the color, viscosity and opacity of your liquid, and animate a container filling up as well. This tutorial covers everything you'll need to know!
How To: Use displacement maps to create a staircase in Adobe After Effecs
This tutorial shows you how to take a 2-D image of a Persian rug and turn it into a fully 3-D staircase using the displacement mapper in Adobe After Effects. Displacement mapping is a versatile, helpful tool for any 3-D animator.
How To: Give your architectural renderings a film look in After Effects
This tutorial shows you how to take your architectural renderings in Adobe After Effects and give them a 35mm film look. Even better, this tutorial uses only the basic program - no plugins or extra add ons to worry about.
How To: Create an ocean scene in After Effects CS5 without third-party plug-ins
Want to create a peaceful ocean scene within a video project? This clip will show you how it's done using only stock After Effects CS5 plug-ins.
How To: Create a Predator Missile attack animation in After Effects
The mysterious, still unidentified missile that was seen yesterday off the coast of Southern California is stilling boggling Los Angeles residents. The projectile was seen on November 8th, shooting straight up into the sky, just north of Catalina Island.
How To: Create animated frozen titles in After Effects
This After Effects tutorial will show how to create a nice, smooth animated text effect, which turns your icy font into a frozen font. This is a great animation that can be easily learned, whether you're an AE pro or novice. Laurence Grayson chills out as he shows you how to create this ice texture effect, glassy text and a frozen text animation - all using just the standard effects that come in CS3, CS4 or CS5.
How To: Create a 3D picture montage with Trapcode Particular in Adobe After Effects
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create 3D picture montages with Trapcode Particular in 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 a 3D picture m...
How To: Create a watercolor painting effect with Toonit for Adobe After Effects
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create an animated watercolor painting effect with the Toonit plugin in 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. Crea...
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: Create a night-vision helicopter flyover effect with TP and After Effects
In this clip, you'll learn how to generate an attractive night vision-style helicopter flyover with Trapcode Particular and Adobe After Effects CS4 or CS5. 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...
How To: Create gold-plated title text in Adobe After Effects CS4 or CS5
With this clip, you'll learn how to generate an eye-catching gold-plated title effect within Adobe After Effects CS4 or CS5. 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.
How To: Quickly cycle between blend modes in Adobe After Effects CS5
Looking for an easy way to quickly cycle between After Effects 38 different blending modes? Look no further. 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.
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: Do motion control when working in Adobe After Effects
This clip presents an overview of how to do motion control effects within Adobe After Effects. Whether you're completely new to Adobe's popular nonlinear editor (NLE) or are a seasoned digital video professional simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.