Building a Rigged Camera Composition in After Effects
In this series of After Effects tutorials, we will learn how to rig a camera using an animated Null object in After Effects. Software required: After Effects CC 12.0.0.404.
What you'll learn
In this series of After Effects tutorials, we will learn how to rig a camera using an animated Null object in After Effects. We will start out by getting a few things set up in the project with importing assets. We then move onto getting the position of the Null object set up. This project execution requires a knowledge of Spatial and Temporal keyframe interpolation, which we go over as we are setting up the animation of the Null object. After parenting the camera to the Null object, we then begin to use the imported assets to create different abstract towers that have multiple Z space position coordinates to give the project a 3D look. After finishing the set up of the scenes, we end by changing things like Camera focus and Blur type, as well as adding vignette and bokeh effects. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to create your own rigged camera as well as create 3D effects with originally 2D layers. Software required: After Effects CC 12.0.0.404.
Table of contents
- Getting Started with Importing Elements 8m
- Changing the Element's Colors Using the Fill Effect 9m
- Animating the Null Object 12m
- Editing the Spatial Interpolation to Create a Circle 4m
- Parenting the Camera to the Null and Adding Y Rotation 11m
- Smoothing the Motion for Momentum Illusion and Adding Z Rotation 12m
- Establishing the Look of the Ground 10m
- Cutting the Composition for Better Organization 11m
- Arranging Assets into an Appealing Composition 16m
- Animating Assets with Expressions and the Add Menu 17m
- Changing the Layer Positions to Show Depth 9m
- Translating Elements from the Front to the Back 10m
- Adding Glow for Appeal 5m
- Setting up the Third Composition 9m
- Creating New Elements from Existing Shapes and Animations 13m
- Playing with the X Rotation of the Camera to Emphasize Important Elements 9m
- Creating a Change in Focus 11m
- Creating Flying Text with Rotation 10m
- Reusing Existing Elements to Tie in the Title Plate 6m
- Animating the Positions of the Title Elements 10m
- Using the Graph Editor to Smooth the Type Element Animations 5m
- Compositing the Four Main Compositions 9m
About the author
Laura is a passionate visual effects and motion graphics author at Pluralsight. Ever since her first exposure to After Effects in college, Laura has had an eternal drive to learn more about motion graphics, and teach others what she has discovered. Laura began working at Digital-Tutors (now a Pluralsight company) as a motion graphics artist, creating visually-appealing advertisements and informative art for the site. Throughout her time at Digital-Tutors, Laura contributed greatly to both the ... more