New Tutorial: Shockwaves in After Effects!
July 10th, 2014


You don't want to miss this in depth tutorial! Massive tips, no extra plug-ins!

Even though we offera coolShockwave pack for sale, this new tutorial shows you how to create an impressive shockwave effect without 3rd partyplug-ins. Of coursewe recommend our freeColor Vibrance Plug-infor colorization!

Watch Tutorial onVideo Copilot
Watch Tutorial on Youtube
Watch Tutorial on Vimeo

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
11 years ago
84 Comments
8 years ago
It looks magnificient
KM
10 years ago
Can there be anyone in the world who's more awesome? I couldn't find one yet.
Thank you for everything you do on this website and best wishes from India!
its very nice and beautiful thank you
11 years ago
Nice bool on fire... very interesting
Jason
11 years ago
This was a nice surprise, thanks. FYI to those that may not think of it this way. Combining what you/we have learned from VCs tuts you already know how to make the "shockwave movie" or make a plane explode and many other things. Put that knowledge into practice or you will lose it. "Just do stuff" for gods sake you won't break AE lol, ijs.
rovino
11 years ago
please make a tutorial on work-life balance!!
jay
11 years ago
Well I've never been at a filmschool before. Now thank Andrew I get jobs and every thing is working well. h thankyou man
remi
11 years ago
You are the best vfx editor Andrew
you make it simple and quick
thanks a lot for your tutorials
your awesome..
Omar Khaled
11 years ago
hey Andrew i learned after effects from you and i had been working on it for 7 years then after the high school i could't be able to enter the field of graphic designing.
i really love after effects and making vfx films i created a group on facebook and channel on youtube i posted every thing new that i made
but unfortunately i didnt find any value for my work cause the views didnt exceed more than 30 views i am so despaired .

ANY WAY IT WILL BE AN HONNER IF YOU JOINED MY GROUP AND CHECKED OUT MY WORK ANDREW and thank you for every thing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/106830219363536/
layen
11 years ago
Love you AK！I learn a lot from you.
11 years ago
My First try looks like the animated anus of a smurf (not that i ever made eye contact with one) Wish me luck for the next one!
P.S: You, Mr. Kramer, are an effing genius
11 years ago
Many thanks, Andrew! That's great stuff!
Ahmed rashed
11 years ago
http://youtu.be/QTTKa6qwrH0.
I hop you like .
Alex
11 years ago
Awesome as always. Great techniques, tips, and always some quick wit that bring your tutorials to the top of anyone's watch list.
Suzanne
11 years ago
Great tutorial! I went a step further and applied the fractal noise to a sphere to make a dome explode outward, also applied pixel motion blur to create the sense of motion etc. So thanks Andrew for helping me be a better artist!
Hristo
11 years ago
Andrew, if you were a woman I'd marry you
If I were a woman I'd marry you again. D TNX for the awesomeness
11 years ago
thanks...Andrew you are awesome
Felipe
11 years ago
How about VC friends, Andrew, I would like you to do a tutorial or explain it to, as did the video of the ball with fire, eh tried to do and nothing remains the same, I hope you answer me, thanks!

http://www.videocopilot.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/fire_ball.jpg

Saludos desde Mexico... THANKS!
felipe
11 years ago
Hello!
11 years ago
I see many tutorials on the Internet. But you are always the best as a teaching technique, insights and ideas. Tutorials full of content. compliments and perhaps not all they say it often but deserves a "thank you" for what you do.
sathesh
11 years ago
Andrew you are awesome....
sathesh
11 years ago
Andrew you are awesome....
sathesh
11 years ago
I love you so much Andrew I really don't know how to express how I feel ...you are my inspiration and you are my teacher
so many many thanks to you
Gijs Alexander van Os de Man
11 years ago
Andrew, you're a God!
Nik
11 years ago
Brilliant Tut, will use this effect soon...cheers Andrew....
thunderossa
11 years ago
One thing I noticed was that at around frame #9 or so, it resembles the iris of an eye. That would go neat with the eye replacement tutorials (#55 & #56)...especially using fire elements from Action Essentials.

Thanks for another great tutorial AK!!!
Siroj uzbek
11 years ago
Thank you my teacher
11 years ago
Thanks so much Andrew.. always very grateful for the time, effort and passion you put into your tutorials!! This is nothing short of awesome as usual. Cheers
Jay
11 years ago
Andrew, you are a rock star. You both inspire and teach - what a great contribution you make to the world! I am naming all my children after you. Even the girl.
Adorn
11 years ago
When days are dark, Andrew Kramer is HERE for us. You're the best, splendid tutor ever! Thanx.
mossi
11 years ago
This is the only place oj internet I have learn to make special efffect thank u andrew kramers
Wille
11 years ago
Hi,

Andrew:
Can I ask what are the benefits of the Photo-jpeg codec?

Thanks!
DavMe
11 years ago
It is really fast to process and gives a high enough quality to use it on middle content that you plan on doing additional compositions with later. Most codecs that give sufficient quality make much larger, slower files.
DavMe
11 years ago
...assuming quality setting of 95...
Andy Dominique
11 years ago
Just Ammazing man!!I'll keep my money for buy the motionpulse now...
I'd like to buy the shockwave but now, i know how to create it...Really economic!
THKX Andrew...And videocopilot stay always close to you! thanks!
Greating From MADAGASCAR!
Abdrahman
11 years ago
nice Andrew sir you are great My name is abdrahman and I am from pakistan I watched your all tutorial my age is 15 year you are awesome
11 years ago
Stupefy..
i do the harry potter fx with this .
jiggy
11 years ago
How did you have that video looping forever, CAN ANY ONE TELL ME HOW TO EXPORT VIDEO IN AFTER EFFECT TO CREATE A ENDLESS LOOP like the shockwave trailer? ANY ONE KNOWS HOW PLEASE TELL ME !!!!
DavMe
11 years ago
You don't. Most endless loops are a setting on the web player that is playing the video. If you want infinite video you have to go here: http://www.weebls-stuff.com/songs/badgers/
11 years ago
Only one is a video. The others are animated gif files. Right click on them, save them, and open them in photoshop and you will see the 30 layers of this animated gif.
wow thats great!! thank you very much
Raghav91
11 years ago
Great job, Andrew! Very innovative technique!
Btw can you make a blog post or a tutorial regarding the fumefx set up you had for the Lock and Load final effect? It was ILM quality!
GiveMeaKiss
11 years ago
Nice Andrew that basket ball was amazing. FIRE!!! YEAH!!! FIRE!!
Will
11 years ago
Really interesting!

Please check out my work (Element 3D + MotionPulse):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQh_qrL1f2Y&feature=youtu.be
EvL
11 years ago
Nice, if you do the space gun tutorial, would like to see the effect applied to your eyes "BAD-ASS". The eye effect would mimic the gun maybe a small delay.. Great job as always!!!
Adam
11 years ago
Andrew Kramer! You've gotta be one of the coolest guys around. Who makes an awesome product, then a tutorial for the fiscally challenged?! Just... thanks man.
Jom
11 years ago
At the end.. I already saw a Hunger Games joke coming

Thanks for sharing Andrew
fourfifthlife
11 years ago
Andrew could you please reply this comment? I have always wanted to see you have replied my comment! dat red "Andrew Kramer" tho!
PHILIPPE LEBRET
11 years ago
YEAHHHH GREAT ...how to realize this in 3D space in AE in order to fly-through with cameras.
THANKS FOR THIS TUTORIAL
Alzemir
11 years ago
Hi, Andrew and Video Copilot Group. I followed your tutorial and I know many who do not have to purchase the Shockwave Pack can through their guidance in After Effects, creating possibilities and great effects as always. This is a sensible and coherent attitude, because not everyone can buy many good packages ever. Congratulations and thank you!
11 years ago
Been following you for a while (I know you know...)

Watched every tutorial over the years (you taught me everything I know...)

And... I just wanted to say, OM(F)G I can't believe that I was STILL blown away by this tut, and learned TWO (I know there's more in there for other people as well) awesome techniques that have so many uses...

Thank you, my sci-fi scenes will never be the same again.

Love love
MDMotion
11 years ago
I'm sure Andrew won't mind me saying so(?), but this is a superb adaptation of the age-old Photoshop trick in creating light bursts. Which stresses the fact, that if you experiment/fool around great things happen. Thumbs up!
11 years ago
hey andrew please please please when we gona have element v2?
Andrew
11 years ago
That line, "With a little bit of work, I make the design worse," is now part of my grab bag--that moment seems to happen every day of my life. All of your tutorials are full of really great technique, and even though the shock wave explosion looks awesome, I'm more impressed by using Offset and a mask to make a seamless texture. When would I have thought of that? I'm always shocked these are free, but I couldn't be happier they are.
Zee
11 years ago
THANKS MAN!
Have you ever considered to make some more tutorial introducing 3D in AE? I quite confuse with 3d inside AE... Just like Lock&Load, how to combine 3D model&animation with live footage? And the use of Z-path, is z-path only a picture or can it be animated?
Zee
11 years ago
Zee, look back in the archives at some older tutorials. You will indeed see these topics have been covered some time ago :0)
Zee
11 years ago
oh yeah, I just watched one on depth composition.
Thanks,Christian Michael!
jiggy
11 years ago
How did you have that video looping forever, CAN ANY ONE TELL ME HOW TO EXPORT VIDEO IN AFTER EFFECT TO CREATE A ENDLESS LOOP like the shockwave trailer? ANY ONE KNOWS HOW PLEASE TELL ME
11 years ago
Excellent Andrew! Always putting the customer first! Thankyou
vipin
11 years ago
as AWESOME as Always.... That's what i am Talking about...
please review my work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOQGexSkf0U
Brandon Liebenberg
11 years ago
Video Copilot F#cking rocks, nuff said
MichaelP
11 years ago
Hey Andrzej,
I've wondering, it is possible to make the cartoonish style explosions and smoke animations? It could be fun .
Tural M Memmedzadeh
11 years ago
Really cool , please Andrew did you can make tutorial for c4d , for fx, like exploding or e.t.c
Zafar
11 years ago
that is why I love VCP Team and Andrew because they don't care about there products but they care about us
thanks a lot sir Andrew
11 years ago
Thank you again Andrew. Thinking of ways to use this. Will do the tutorial right now!
11 years ago
http://rickallenmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Tutorial-151.gif

Could not get it to look like yours though, took me hours to do. Must have did a few things wrong. But thank you very much the polar effect seems very useful.
11 years ago
after a long time a awsome tutorial iam waiting for long time each and every day when i open by browser my first link video copiot thanks andrew
Joe
11 years ago
In spite of Andrew's success, he and the rest of the VCP team have remained devoted to providing this community with high quality tools (not to mention sharing their knowledge) without gouging us for it. I think that speaks volumes about them as people. Thanks guys!!
Seth
11 years ago
Agreed!
Thank you to Andrew and the VCP team. You are generous, classy, and fun. Your work is much appreciated.
Redo
11 years ago
Turning the lineer visual with polar coordinates. You're quite adept with your skills Andrew. Thanks for the tips.
Peter
11 years ago
Love this tutorial, (and all the rest actually). The tip on covering the seam is very useful. You really are an inspiration Andrew. Thank you.
P.S. The basketball - nice!!!
Indy
11 years ago
And thanks also for that top on spherical mapping, very helpful!
Indy
11 years ago
*tip
11 years ago
Extremely useful break down! You are always a go to on stuff.
11 years ago
AWESOME!!! Here is the short video I made with some of the motionpulse sound effects and action Essentials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2zwCgJ0iUg
df
11 years ago
horrible work dude!for real...to fake
Conner McKnight
11 years ago
Nerf guns ... I think it lacks black paint
Conner McKnight
11 years ago
Nerf guns ... a little bit more black paint
Trend
11 years ago
That?s the reason why you shouldn?t make a movie with teenagers ... there not very seriously
lj
11 years ago
Video is .. ok I will not comment video but I will tell you that when I first time started it was terrible and I destroy my dad camera (sand and VHS tape don't mix vell) but I was so proud of my video even it was so bad and yes I have so much fun making it. Important thing is that you don't lose your passion for making videos and to have fun. If you love to do something than do it no matter how much negative comments you get if you looking on them as how can you improve, then you can learn something. We all learn on mistakes (well most of us)so keep going. Im looking forward to see another short movie made by you.
11 years ago
Brickpro, I 100% agree with LJ. We all have to start somewhere and if it makes the corners of your mouth turn up.....keep going at it. I look back at some of my early stuff and it makes me cringe lol. Keep at it my friend and I'm looking forward to seeing more from you as you improve in your craft :0)
Jay
11 years ago
Remember, that using realistic guns or even things that look like guns will get you shot in many countries. Film making and SFX takes time and practice, so keep on working. And as the saying goes.... People you meet on the way up, you meet on the way down.
Ethan
11 years ago
I hope there is a sale soon ...
Phoenix Films
11 years ago
Andrew, you are the best COPILOT/TEACHER I think! Your site Video Copilot is very helpful! Keep going on this sh*t.. Can you make a tutorial and tell us how you did the cool Sci-Fi muzzle flashs?
Ben
11 years ago
For those of you who have Action Essentials 2, try using some fire elements instead of(or even with) the fractal noise layers. You'll get some cool results.
Trend
11 years ago
Oh sure, it looks very cool
Ben
11 years ago
Ha! Duh! I posted this comment before finishing the tutorial
David Vizurant
11 years ago
Very cool Can´t wait for the Sci-Fi weapons tutorial and the "Lock & Load" tutorial.
Conner McKnight
11 years ago
There are many different effects in the VFX Short: "Lock & Load". Will there be a tutorial series like as in the "Explosive Training"
Patrik
11 years ago
Andrew you are Albert Einstein!!! Fire basketball look awesome Thanks for tutorial.
11 years ago
Very nice! Just in time for the Sci Fi I'm producing.
Evo
11 years ago
I had the same idea. Really, you take all of the stuff these guys have done, that's an incredible head start to an impressive movie! Now, to get a sweet camera like the Red.
11 years ago
I am blown away by the choice to make a tutorial on how to do a similar effect to something you are selling. Coolest dude in the world. I will now make the choice to purchase more of your products because of your kindness. Yep...Just made that decision.

-Kaleb Cook
Tosha
11 years ago
Awesome!!!
Please!!!! make tutorial with Sam Loya...
David Vizurant
11 years ago
Yes, or imagine: a vfx short with the whole VC team
Indy
11 years ago
In a very short period of time you have become my favorite person on the internet. Thank you for all the great free content!
Anthony
11 years ago
Great tutorial. Goes to show there is more than one way to skin a cat. BTW I've bought and used Shockwave for recent promo event intro. It looks great, the client was happy and the check cleared, so they have already paid for themselves. Thanks.
11 years ago
Wow! Nice one!!!
Are you planning on making some dedicated tutorials for Max/Krakatoa as well or do you stick to the AE pron?
11 years ago
Woow... This is the first time I think that the Polar-Coordinates really are useful - but only for this Shockwaves... I really would like to know in which case this effect might be useful as well
Alex
11 years ago
Andrew must be working on something ... I sense you were tired when doing the tutorial. Great value on the content, as always, but the energy is a little lower.
Ivan
11 years ago
instead of the nose can be done and will trapcode particular as the original shockwave pack
Eric
11 years ago
Really cool! Can you make a tutorial on how to do that cool effect with the space guns?
11 years ago
Soon...
Bart
11 years ago
Please!!!! make tutorial on Lock & Load! It is so breathtaking and cinematic. As well as all material on the site! Thank You, Andrew!!!
zafar
11 years ago
please make a tutorial on Plane crash that you did like the explosive training
thanks
Hugo
11 years ago
But now your shockwave pack no longer has any value !
11 years ago
HAHA! Check out the Shockwave pack, real particle simulations are always going to be superior to procedural effects like fractal noise but I think if you combine the 2, you could create some spectacular results. The reality, is both have a very different look but it depends on what you are making.
11 years ago
Andrew's right it's so obvious that shockwaves are superior to this!
David
11 years ago
Also don't forgot Hugo that the shockwave pack is all prebuilt for us.

I bought it the other day because I wanted the results without having to spend the time creating my own. The client doesn't care how it's done as long as they like the finished result.

I was able to put together an entire finished title sequence with a combination of the shockwave pack and colour plugin.

Nice and easy and probably cheaper for the client in the long run.
Kyser
11 years ago
This guy is a genius.
Jake
11 years ago
You the man Andrew. Thanks a ton as always.
Steve
11 years ago
Cool AK Thanks for all your tuts Bud Looking classy
Robert K
11 years ago
Awesome tutorial Andrew. Interesting effects with fractal noise My friends, take a look at my latest work. Thanks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z8XdIIY66o&feature;=youtu.be