Circles in After Effects

Making circles in After Effects seems like a trivial exercise, but there are a ton of approaches to their various forms in design.

Circles come in movement and repetition, from expressions & scripts, as Shapes, masks, particle effects like Particle World, Bubbles, Ball Action, from the Circle effect, CC Sphere, Polar Coordinates, Wave World, Radio Waves, halftone effects (Card Dance, Particular, effects), and so on.

A few of the many circle-related tutorials and resources for After Effects are sampled in Circles in After Effects on PVC.

Sci Fi GUI project for FreeForm AE

Chris Bobotis of Mettle posted a free HUD-style After Effects project, Sci Fi GUI, created with CS4 and Mettle's FreeForm AE. The project (direct download) uses FreeForm AE's 3D displacement mapping feature; Freeform comes bundled with AE CS5 (or use a demo from Digieffects).

For tutorials on creating HUD interfaces, see AEtuts' Tracking A Futuristic High Tech Floating Interface (in 2-parts) and Dive Into A HUD Diver Mask Animation (also in 2-parts). For more resources and tutorials, see Designing & Compositing a HUD and posts tagged HUD on AE Portal.

Update: check out the UI of Space Fence, an orbit tracking system,

Update: AEtuts added Creating Additional Graphical Interface Elements by Stefan Surmabojov, which also shows some tricks for Shape layers..

Shape Layers in After Effects

Severin Baschung discusses the basics on Shape layers in After Effects in a text tutorial on AEtuts, The Wonderful World Of Shapes In After Effects, and more shape tutorials on the same website.

For more on Shape layers see:

• the jumpstart movie AE Apprentice #9: Shape Layers
• an Aharon Rabinowitz podacst An Introduction to Shape Layers
• Shapes and Modifiers in After Effects and other tutorials tagged shapes from AEtuts
• Shape Layers in After Effects CS3 by Total Training host Steve Holmes at Layers magazine
• Church Media Design has video tutorials on Shapes in Masking Inside Shape Layers and Shape Layer Expressions (YouTube)
• Graymachine posted Breath life into stale Lens Flares, which explained “using shapes, Trapcode Shine (or the built-in CC Lightburst), and expressions to breath new life into the old AE Lens Flare”. It comes with a CS3 project that has Brainstorm variations from Shape ‘points’ and Position and Trapcode Shine Colors:
• AE Help details in several places, for example Alter shapes with path operations.  
• There are hundreds of free shape layer animation presets from Adobe available in Additional animation presets for After Effects. Also, Trent Armstrong posted 3D Star: Shape Layer Preset on the Dallas After Effects User Group.
• Paths to Shapes, Radial ray Shape projects, and other reports in AEPortal posts tagged Shape.

Update: Andrew Devis has about 15 tutorials on Shape Layers in After Effects, ending on 12/30/2011.

Trish and Chris Meyer shared an introductory PDF excerpt from the “Shape Layers” chapter of their book Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects (5th Edition).Check out CMG Hidden Gems: Chapter 32 – Shape Layers.

Chris and Trish Meyer also released After Effects Apprentice 14: Shape Layers, a course on Lynda.com, with a preview on PVC. After Effects Apprentice Free Video: Exploring Shape Effects shows how to create and animate vector-based artwork directly inside After Effects, creating shape layers and paths, applying shape effects, and reordering shape operators. See also the intro by Brian Maffitt, and Converting Imported Vector Graphics from Illustrator to Shape Layers by Todd Kopriva.

Again, Chris and Trish Meyer posted After Effects Apprentice Free Video: Drawing Parametric Shapes, explaining how “the same tools you’ve used to create masks can also be used to create Shape Layers - with far more options than you might have imagined. ... Chris covers creating so-called “parametric” shapes: rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and stars. There are a number of modifier keys you can use while dragging out a shape to control its position, symmetry, roundness, number of sides, and the such. After a shape path has been created, it is then highly editable. Chris shows how to dissect a shape layer’s construction: It’s actually a series of modules, and the order of those modules - such as Fill and Stroke - can have a big impact on how the final graphic renders.”

Jonathan Berkey shared a Berkshop: Quick Tip Tutorial on Shape Layers in After Effects.

Mattrunks posted an English tutorial, Shape Layers as creative tools; here’s the preview:




“Bending” an extruded shape layer in CS6 from Danny Princz (@rendernyc) notes that in CS6 “You can now bend a 2d layer till it becomes a half cylinder, but the 3D extrusions do not have that option… Depending how far you need to go there are some workarounds.” He shows a duplicated extrusion to make a bend.

In the series Iron Man Widgets, Stefan Surmabojov aims to take you beyond basics using the true power of shape layers inside After Effects

Eran Stern shows Shapes from Vectors – Make instant Promo using the new Create Shapes from Vector Layer in After Effects CS6:




Here's Todd Kopriva's introduction, Extruding 3D Text and Shapes and Modifying Geometry Options, from the free After Effects CS6 New Features Workshop from Video2brain. See also the intro by Brian Maffitt.




Shapes and Masks is a new AE script that is designed to give users more control to create shapes and masks, including spiral creation and options to transform mask paths and export mask data to a text file. See also Creating shapes and masks in AE Help. 

Wiggle Transform text

Andrew Devis posted a new tutorial, Wiggle Transform & Text in AE: which shares some basics on Wiggle Transform and converting text to shapes with the Layer menu command "Create Shapes from Text."

See also the CMG video on Wiggle Transform and Alter shapes with path operations in AE Help. Chris and Trish also posted overviews on Shapes in AE Apprentice #9: Shape Layers and The Shape of Things to Come: Shape Layers Introduction.

Wiggly Text selectors are described in AE Help, along with an example found in Examples and resources for text animation. In some earlier video tutorials, Chris and Trish Meyer explained animating text in After Effects, and Aharon Rabinowitz explored Text animators in After Effects Text Tips 2 and After Effects Text Tips 3 and has a few tuts on Shapes too.

Moshun and similar 'animated fonts'

Via the plural blog is Moshun, an "animated font" by Calango. Creator Jeroen Krielaars says:

"Every animated character is on it's own shapelayer in Adobe After Effects. Therefore every character has to be positioned by hand. But since this font is suited for short stuff, instead of bodytext, it's still fairly quick to set up."

Moshun from Jeroen Krielaars on Vimeo.


Bran Dougherty-Johnson noted similar efforts -- Colin Sebestyen's Futura livefont and a 2008 Digital Kitchen thing for the Webbies:

The Beast - Futura Livefont Motion from Colin Evoy Sebestyen on Vimeo.

Webby Awards 2008 Animated Alphabet from Nick Campbell on Vimeo.

Shapes and Modifiers in After Effects

AETuts has a new After Effects tutorial, QuickTip – Find Your Way With Shapes and Modifiers, by Stefan Surmabojov In This QuickTip you will learn how to use Shape layers with modifiers and create this cool looking compass.

For more on Shape layers, see Paths to Shapes, AE Apprentice #9: Shape Layers, and other AEP posts tagged Shape.

After Effects: Extended Vignette Techniques

Chris and Trish Meyer continue their Lynda.com After Effects tutorials with Extended Vignette Techniques, which shows "multiple approaches to guiding the viewer’s focus" -- as well as tips on masking, creating shape layers, editing gradients, painting in After Effects, lighting in 3D, motion stabilization, using filters like CC Circle, etc.

For other After Effects tutorials see the previous AEP post Custom effects & vignettes in After Effects. Here's a sample from Chris:

Pen Tool tips video

Eran Stern has a video tutorial and tips for using the Pen Tool from rotoscoping projects. For more tips and tricks check out the full tutorial through his website. Here’s some of his shortcuts verbatim:

• Hold down CMD/CTRL as you draw your path, then select the anchor point, this will let you move the last point after you set it in place.
• If the selection tool (v) is highlighted, you can hold down ALT/Option and press on one of the anchor points and all the points in your mask will be selected.
• Clicking on an anchor point while holding down ALT/Option as long as the pen tool is highlighted, will convert it from Corner to Curve point. Another Click using the same modifier will change it back. If you want to do the same while the Selection tool is highlighted, just add the CMD/CTRL modifier as well.
• If you want to break the connection between the handles, hold down ALT/Option and then pull one of the handles out, make sure the pen tool is selected.
• Context-clicking on the mask shape with the Pen tool, enables the context menu of options for that mask, including all of its settings on the Timeline. One of the important things here is the Motion Blur settings for the mask, changing this value can unlocked the Motion Blur mask from the layer itself.
• Double-click on one of the anchor points to get the free transform for the entire mask – then it’s necessary to switch to the Selection tool to perform the transformation itself.

Also, check out previous AEP posts 2D morphing and AE Apprentice #9: Shape Layers.

AE Apprentice #9: Shape Layers

Chris and Trish Meyer have released After Effects Apprentice Video Tutorial #9 onto PVC.

This short video 'provides a jump-start for using the vector-based Shape Layers that were introduced in After Effects CS3. It demonstrates how to create “parametric” and “path-based” shapes (using the Mask and Pen tools, respectively), setting the color for fill and stroke (including creating gradients), editing shapes, adding shape effects, and how multiple shape paths and groups interact within the same Shape Layer. This is one of our favorite recent additions to After Effects; if nothing else, you should reach for a Shape Layer whenever you used to create a solid - they’re much more flexible.'

Stylized tunnel using AE Shape, Cylinder, & Color Link

Color Link by Eran Stern is the latest tutorial in the Creative Cow After Effects podcast. Eran shows you how to create a colorful disco-styled tunnel using a Shape layer, CC Cylinder, and matching the look to video using the Color Link effect.

Radial ray Shape projects

Todd Kopriva answers a question on how to make radial rays in After Effects with an easily tweakable project and oblique pointers on how you make one on your own.

It's reminiscent of a recent video tutorial from Precomposed, Vector Sunburst. This tutorial (pictured right) includes a download of some Photoshop shapes and shows you how to construct a Photoshop Shape and use it in an AE Shape layer. You might miss the animation controls available to AE Shape layers as seen in Todd's example, but both should have better edges than a similar effect produced in Premiere with the Pinwheel transition.

For background on Shape layers, see Shape Layers in After Effects CS3 by Total Training host Steve Holmes at Layers magazine. Motionworks has a tutorial movie also, Mask to Shape Layer, Aharon Rabinowitz added a podacst An Introduction to Shape Layers, and Chris & Trish added The Shape of Things to Come: Shape Layers Introduction.

Update: Todd added another method (inspired by an Illustrator tutorial) on his blog, "Make a shape layer containing a single big circle. Set the stroke width to be the same as the diameter of the circle. Make the stroke a dashed stroke. Set the dash length to taste."

CMG video on Wiggle Transform

Chris and Trish Meyer have a new video tutorial on using the Wiggle Transform operator for Shape Layers, a new feature in After Effects CS4:

"When used by itself, it allows the user to automatically animate the anchor point, position, rotation, and scale of a layer without having to use expressions or animation presets; when used in conjunction with the Repeater shape layer operator, it enables the creation of writhing, pulsing, wiggling masses of shapes."

Update: If you need the review, Chris and Trish added an older tutorial, The Shape of Things to Come: Shape Layers Introduction.

Paths to Shapes

If you paste some illustrator paths into an After Effects Shape layer and the paths are pasted as masks, you need to look at Trish Meyer's essential trick to paste multiple paths to After Effects Shape Layers at once: Pasting Paths from Illustrator to After Effects.

For background, see Shape Layers in After Effects CS3 by Total Training host Steve Holmes at Layers magazine

Update: Motionworks has a 2007 tutorial movie also, Mask to Shape Layer, and Aharon Rabinowitz added a podacst An Introduction to Shape Layers.

Mask to Shape Layer

Motionworks has a tutorial movie on copying and pasting an existing mask onto a Shape Layer in AE: "The key is to only select the Mask Path parameter before copying and only the Path parameter when pasting."

Maltaannon extrudes AE Shapes

Note: an updated roundup at PVC has a ton of other methods for 2013; see Creating 3D Text in After Effects.

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VideoCopilot notes a new method by Maltaannon (Poland's Jerzy Drozda) to extrude any vector based layer to give it real 3D looks and control (along with Shape Layer modifiers) inside After Effects.

In addition to a video explanation, he provides CE ShapeExtruder, one of his CustomEffects (installation instructions here), and a project and FFX. His custom effects (there are others) combine presets with expressions to look and behave like standard plug-ins, and requires a DLL install. Jerzy's stuff is also on Creative Cow.

Update: I'm just bumping this back to the top from 9/30/07 since it's cool.

Update 2: Maltaannon now has a YouTube channel, so here's his videos:

Additional Scripts for AE CS3

Jeff Almasol, host of the redefinery and a member of the AE team, has Additional Scripts for After Effects CS3 on Adobe Exchange. The package contains contains scripts for editing keyboard shortcuts (KeyEd Up), launching scripts (Launch Pad), create project folder hierarchies (Folder Setup), converting Adobe Swatch Exchange (.ase) files (Swatch You Want, kuler Shapes), and modifying a comp's motion blur settings interactively (Active Shutter).

The redefinery released other CS3 script updates a few weeks ago. And about that time new AE product manager Michael Coleman also posted on Adobe Exchange: Additional Presets for After Effects CS3 (for Shape Layer and per-character 3D text) .

Fxguidetv episode 2

Fxguidetv episode 2 features interviews with top people on shrinking deadlines in film effects as discussed in an earlier posted story. The fxphd tip of the week takes a look at Vanishing Point in AE CS3.

The production is explained at the Fxphd blog and looks good (except for a noisy spot). Fxguidetv #001 (QT) featured a nice succinct look at Shape Layers in AE CS3.

Puppet Masters...to ship soon

No it's not the Donald Sutherland movie in which the President receives instructions from implants. No, two tutorials showed up on the new Puppet Tool in AE 8 (CS3).

Bob Donlon shows how he animated a bird extracted from a still in Photo 2 Life. He might have used new tools in Photoshop: see Russell Brown's tips on the new Quick Select, Refine Edge, and Clone Source features. Bob also dropped the news that the PuppetTool will ship in a few weeks, which seemed likely now that you can order the Adobe Master Collection.

Also, in a guerilla tutorial on Youtube, M dot Strange (featured on KQED's Spark after his Sundance success) proclaims: Puppet Tool in Adobe After Effects CS3: Best thing eveR. An interesting comment on the Strange blog pointed to earlier work on shape manipulation (see the worm animation above).

A Few Shape Presets

Jean Hauptman, a blast from the CoSA AE AOL forum past, contributes notes on Shape Layers in AE8 (or AE CS3 if you prefer) along with a few Shape presets.