ALL DESIGN TOOLS
25. Light Streaks 2
• Use light streaks with live action footage
• Enhanced coloring method and 3D layer control
• Enhanced coloring method and 3D layer control
Posted on Mar 26, 2007
2,194,940
TUTORIAL NOTES:
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312 Comments
Chazz York
6 years ago
Oh Gosh! The Youtube Videos are gone. What happened? I was wondering if anyone has had any luck doing this one without the Particular plug in? I managed to do the dancing stream (Tutorial #18) without it, but not this one. When I try, the particle stream disappears completely. I tried it using the Particle Systems II which comes with After Effects. The stream disappears completely when I do it. Any tips?
howard dunn
9 years ago
what happended to all the missing video`s ?
where and what is the explanination .
where and what is the explanination .
eddy
10 years ago
When I try to do this in 1080p, I don't get a streak when I animate my null object.
I made comp size 1920 by 1080 to match my footage and made my own particle 150 by 150. My life is 15 seconds and I have 2000 particles per second.
It just looks like a blurred version of my particle without a streak. Any suggestions?
I made comp size 1920 by 1080 to match my footage and made my own particle 150 by 150. My life is 15 seconds and I have 2000 particles per second.
It just looks like a blurred version of my particle without a streak. Any suggestions?
Septa
10 years ago
Thanks Andrew for the great tutorial! I have one question, how can you get the front end and/or the back end of the streak pointed? It'd be awesome if you could answer this for me 
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Dementor
11 years ago
04:17
Since that moment everything is going wrong in my project. I do everything step by step, but light streak follows not null object exact trajectory, it appears on some parallel trajectory near it and with significant delay. How to deal with it?
Since that moment everything is going wrong in my project. I do everything step by step, but light streak follows not null object exact trajectory, it appears on some parallel trajectory near it and with significant delay. How to deal with it?
Toby
12 years ago
Hey VC,
I am having some problems with my light streak, while I have successfully created the particle and given it movement, I still cannot import it to other compositions successfully. I created the particle in a low res composition and now want to import it into an HD 1920x1080. When I do this, obviously it is a lot smaller and needs resizing.
I click the 'null' and 'particles' layer then resize to comp but then my light streak and null object are out of sync.
Im not great at explaining the problem but hopefully you can tell me how to resize the light streak and null object for a larger comp
Cheers
T
I am having some problems with my light streak, while I have successfully created the particle and given it movement, I still cannot import it to other compositions successfully. I created the particle in a low res composition and now want to import it into an HD 1920x1080. When I do this, obviously it is a lot smaller and needs resizing.
I click the 'null' and 'particles' layer then resize to comp but then my light streak and null object are out of sync.
Im not great at explaining the problem but hopefully you can tell me how to resize the light streak and null object for a larger comp
Cheers
T
Dan
12 years ago
Pretty cool, but doesn't work when the background is light. How would you do this over a white background?
MMMMM
12 years ago
hey so i am working on adding this effect into a video but the light streak randomly breaks out of place. it should all stay constant but certain parts of the streak bend into random shapes and i have no idea how to make it stop.
Luis
12 years ago
The continuous stream of particles doesn't work on mine. I adjusted the settings to no effect. How do I fix this?
lt airborne
13 years ago
anyone notice Andrew really likes plots with someone traveling back in time?
emmanuel
14 years ago
i am able to download the tutorials pls show me how or links to these tutorials.tankz
Roemer
14 years ago
Can someone help me with a problem? I replaced the movie with a jpg but it seems that I can't get it to be on the background as I tried it through layer, arrangement, send to back. When I hide the jpg the lights streaks are shown but when I bring it back, it hides the light streaks.
Thank you,
Roemer
Thank you,
Roemer
Ciaran Bell
14 years ago
This is a great tutorial its just that if i wanted to draw the line in mid air, the streaks stay there instead of fade away at the back of the "line" like in the first tutorial.
julius cantos
14 years ago
TO sir andrew kramer
..
im a filipino , 17 years old ..and i dream of being an animator ..and with your awesome and very funny tutorials it may happen..i've bought every plug-ins that you introduce..thank you very much to you and to the videocopilot team..maybe someday in the future well be meet..thanks MABUHAY ...maraming salamt mr andrew
..
im a filipino , 17 years old ..and i dream of being an animator ..and with your awesome and very funny tutorials it may happen..i've bought every plug-ins that you introduce..thank you very much to you and to the videocopilot team..maybe someday in the future well be meet..thanks MABUHAY ...maraming salamt mr andrew
pumpkit
14 years ago
Great tutorial, but i just wonder how could we create a specific shape for that light streak, such as heart or text, etc...
Jafar Abdi
14 years ago
everyday every minute I enjoy Andrew Kramer's tutorials
and i like to see you
Andrew you the great.
and i like to see you
Andrew you the great.
pixelrgb
15 years ago
Thanks Andrew!~
I love your tutorials and just wanted to share that if you use a 3D motion tracker like the one in Maya Live, you can then bake the keyframes of your "Locator" in 3D space, and save your Maya scene as a .ma (ascii) file that After Effect can then import. What this means is that you can then import a Locator/Null that will have 3D keyframes you can then tie to the Particular emitter!
You may already have a better solution, but it felt like the least I could do in appreciation for your generosity.
Big Ups!
I love your tutorials and just wanted to share that if you use a 3D motion tracker like the one in Maya Live, you can then bake the keyframes of your "Locator" in 3D space, and save your Maya scene as a .ma (ascii) file that After Effect can then import. What this means is that you can then import a Locator/Null that will have 3D keyframes you can then tie to the Particular emitter!
You may already have a better solution, but it felt like the least I could do in appreciation for your generosity.
Big Ups!
DANIEL
15 years ago
I just wanted to point out that what you´re doing is great. I know it is a marketing tactic from Videocopilot, but still, giving out this high end tutorials for free is worth a stading ovation.
You have a knack for teaching, and throw a little humour here and there to make it more watchable.
I used to have Chad Perkins as my number 1 AE teacher, but now you have surpassed him. Anyway, thanks a lot, to you and your bosses here at Videocopilot.net for all this incredible knowledge you´re letting us have.
Danny from Argentina.
You have a knack for teaching, and throw a little humour here and there to make it more watchable.
I used to have Chad Perkins as my number 1 AE teacher, but now you have surpassed him. Anyway, thanks a lot, to you and your bosses here at Videocopilot.net for all this incredible knowledge you´re letting us have.
Danny from Argentina.
Anten the vFX dude`
15 years ago
Andrew Kramer my guru, teacher, professor, god, father and all source of inspiration for me. But one Fine day very very soon i will meet you in person and thank you for all these help. and i will never forget in my life.you are little humorous too that makes me learn things without boring. INDIA tamil nadu.
Ender
15 years ago
that means that Andrew used a plugin that you dont own in order to make the effect possible in this case. Particular doesnt come with AE you need to buy it
Mendim
15 years ago
when i open the project the error is this:
this project contains reference to a missing effect, Please install the following effect to restore this reference. ("particuluar"
.. help
this project contains reference to a missing effect, Please install the following effect to restore this reference. ("particuluar"
.. help
Benjamin.h
15 years ago
Dude you kick all the bunz! This tutorials have learned me so much! (would have said tought if i could spell it) lol but thanks again! I will watch all of them!
chinese man
15 years ago
I think you are the best man for effects! yea!
you know ..en .just think it..just do it!man
you know ..en .just think it..just do it!man
TheFXGuy
15 years ago
@ukgoodfella
Masking (unless the layer has an alpha channel) and layering.
Have two particle layers (one on top of the layer that you want to obscure it in 3D space and one below) and set a keyframe on the birth rate to where the bottom one stops producing when it's supposed to go in front and the other one starts producing when it goes in front. This should work with most particle systems/ plugins, but not all.
Masking (unless the layer has an alpha channel) and layering.
Have two particle layers (one on top of the layer that you want to obscure it in 3D space and one below) and set a keyframe on the birth rate to where the bottom one stops producing when it's supposed to go in front and the other one starts producing when it goes in front. This should work with most particle systems/ plugins, but not all.
ukgoodfella
15 years ago
I was very impressed with your tutorials for the streaking effect. I do have a question and that is can you show us in another tutorial how we can make the streaks go behind people in 3d space, i think this would give it a better sense of Realism.....
I would be very grateful not to mention other people if you could do this for us...
many thanks.
I would be very grateful not to mention other people if you could do this for us...
many thanks.
tonn
15 years ago
awsome! i've never seen anything like this before, truly. i'm so excited about starting using all this!
niel
15 years ago
dude..u just became my new SUPER HERO!!!
keep up the good job with the good humor...^_^
keep up the good job with the good humor...^_^
Kimi
15 years ago
U ARE SO COOL! i rly cant believe we get all this for free!!!! these animation tutorials are like a movie quality!!!!!
Straus FX
15 years ago
Hi Andrew! 
I'm from Venezuela... and... i want to tell u man... that... u're my IDOL! u.u Just Keep It Up Buddy! And... Just bring us some interesting s#!t! Love All Tutorials... very helpfull... See Ya
I'm from Venezuela... and... i want to tell u man... that... u're my IDOL! u.u Just Keep It Up Buddy! And... Just bring us some interesting s#!t! Love All Tutorials... very helpfull... See Ya
Dair
15 years ago
Hi, Andrew! My name is Dair. I am from Kirgizstan. I wanna tell you " Big thanks!" to all your tutorials! They very helped me with film making.))
Eduardo Hurtado
15 years ago
thamks a lot andrew, i'm from peru, and actually it helps me a lot, im just a student, but.. someday i'd like to be the best on this as u are.. thanks mate...and it'd be interesting, if u make an other tutorial but about the phrases or comands as wiggle..
amado dasalla
16 years ago
i like all your tutorials but i cant watch for it very carefully...
is there any site that i can download for free your tutorials
is there any site that i can download for free your tutorials
denzel
16 years ago
no need to ask how to toggle in 3d and thanks alot you can increase the light streak size in the size of the particular in custom
giri
16 years ago
hello sir,
u r amazing tutor, u never know how many of us learn from u and earn our bread and butter. thanx a lot
u r amazing tutor, u never know how many of us learn from u and earn our bread and butter. thanx a lot
emerson paul
16 years ago
hey andrew kramer, i always watch your tutorial and it helps me a lot,really, THANKS MAN! from philippines
tom
16 years ago
thats so sick, but is there a way to use motion tracking instead of a null object and the postioning?
marty
16 years ago
Great tutorial i started on after effects one month ago after i found the website and couldn't believe u guys share this high level tutorial.thanks a lot
Mustafa
16 years ago
Hi Andrew,
Your tutorials are a great way to learn AE. I am Motion graphics teacher in Australia.
Keep it up. Hope to see more fantastic tutorials in future.
Mustafa
Melbourne, Australia
Your tutorials are a great way to learn AE. I am Motion graphics teacher in Australia.
Keep it up. Hope to see more fantastic tutorials in future.
Mustafa
Melbourne, Australia
mango
16 years ago
Thanks Andrew. I am revisiting this tutorial. The more I work on this, the more I understand.
real
16 years ago
andrew...you are the best motion graphic design...very...very fantastic tutorial...
From Jakarta,Indonesia
From Jakarta,Indonesia
Jeetendra
16 years ago
Hi Andrew Kramer
Excellent! your tutorial, Excellent! your way to teach it. I really love your work. Please Please teach me After effect so i can stand in my life. GOD BLESS YOU.
I HAVE NO WORDS FOR YOU.
JUST YOU AND YOUR WORK IS Excellent!
Regards
Jeetendra
Excellent! your tutorial, Excellent! your way to teach it. I really love your work. Please Please teach me After effect so i can stand in my life. GOD BLESS YOU.
I HAVE NO WORDS FOR YOU.
JUST YOU AND YOUR WORK IS Excellent!
Regards
Jeetendra
Mike
16 years ago
This is a great addition to the things you already put out. You are truly an expert at your job.
jeff
16 years ago
I am in South Africa, me n a buddy just started a studio on your tuts, amazing stuff mate.
Keep the good work up
Keep the good work up
haro
16 years ago
wow kagaling mo tol!!!
'm filipino,
i live in phlippines
new in ur site...
ur d man!!!!
my idol!!!
hope i can do that too...
'm filipino,
i live in phlippines
new in ur site...
ur d man!!!!
my idol!!!
hope i can do that too...
Hobbzilla
16 years ago
Very detailed tutorials. Very useful for someone like my self with backgrounds in other software but was never formally trained in AE.
Keep it up.
Keep it up.
sanadi
16 years ago
Hi buddies m from blore...really it impressed me a lot....thanks for such a nice video
Ahmed
16 years ago
hi friends I'm from Algeria, thank you for this greater web site, is very good...
kheekhay15
16 years ago
This is my first time to comment on this website and it's the coolest ever!You can't find anything more educational, fun, easy-to-learn and interesting tutorials anywhere on the web than here @ videocopilot. You're the best I've ever seen Andrew Kramer! Keep up the good job! Hope to see more and more tutorials from you!
nervoptik
16 years ago
Hi Andrew. Incredible work with those tuts.
I'm learning now, from your tuts how to work in AE, but I do have some background in 3DMax.
Question: Is it posible to make the particles to work on a path ? Isn't more easy to draw a path on X,Y,Z then asign particles to fallow path ? This is how it works in 3DMax, isn't posible here too ?
Thanks !
I'm learning now, from your tuts how to work in AE, but I do have some background in 3DMax.
Question: Is it posible to make the particles to work on a path ? Isn't more easy to draw a path on X,Y,Z then asign particles to fallow path ? This is how it works in 3DMax, isn't posible here too ?
Thanks !
Nithex
16 years ago
mister kramer i like you!! whats the reason i have started in after effects? you! i have learned alot from this amazing tutorials, (and amazing creator of tutorials)
VIDEOCOPILOT.NET
16 years ago
Please be a little more specific as to what you are doing each time you edit, it hard and frustrating trying to imitate the exact same thing you do.
amir khan
16 years ago
Thanku soooooooo muchhhhhh
Thanks for sharing such vast amount of knowledge ..... Although I am not an FX artist, I am still a huge fan of your work and your sense of humor
Thanks for sharing such vast amount of knowledge ..... Although I am not an FX artist, I am still a huge fan of your work and your sense of humor
Nelson Bright
16 years ago
u should win an after effects noble price.
for your support,innovation and creativity. All the way from Nigeria, Port harcourt saying, your the man!
i wonder if you have time to read all these thanks ? but thanks again, i'm about to try out your tutorial for the first time.
www.nelsonbright.com www.wetclaysip.com
for your support,innovation and creativity. All the way from Nigeria, Port harcourt saying, your the man!
i wonder if you have time to read all these thanks ? but thanks again, i'm about to try out your tutorial for the first time.
www.nelsonbright.com www.wetclaysip.com
R@el
16 years ago
Great Karma Andrew!!! Your work is as awesome as it is helpful, Thank you very much!!!
i want download the progrem
16 years ago
where i can download this cool progrem i want use it i need it ]=
Bob McCarroll
16 years ago
Thanks Andrew. I've looked at several of your tutorials and have found them very enlightening and helpful....I feel better for it, too. Cheers, Bob.
Hicham
16 years ago
yOUR ArE tHE best nUMBER oNE iN THE WORLD iN After affects I love Your vIDEO IM SORRY I DONT SPEAK ENGLISH VERY GOOOOOD BECAUSE I FROM IN FRANCE
mewz
16 years ago
First of all i'd like to thank you. Your tutorials are very useful. Answer alot of my questions that i had for a very long time and you did it in style.
I'm looking forward to see more of your technic.
I'm looking forward to see more of your technic.
MykheL
16 years ago
hey... you're great... you're not only a great artist, but also a great tutor, like a story teller.. i'm new in AE.. but thanks to you, i learned many techniques...
keep up man... thanks a lot...
keep up man... thanks a lot...
Bobby Lim
16 years ago
Very sorry about that, I don't understand the tutorials,because of when starting already have all the souce, like how to come out emitter,how to come out alpha graphic. i feel very hard, try many times. can teach me??
jman
16 years ago
Okay i have watched both tutorials and loved them... But I am wondering how you can get the light to track to a moving object... I can do it if the camera is not moving.. but i am wondering how if the camera is moving... for instance someone going down a hill... If anyone has seen the :magic flashlight video" if not here is the link... http://vimeo.com/1447460 .. Can someone help???.. Ps Andrew thanks a ton for makin the videos!
oneman
16 years ago
Hi Andrew K just wanna say that you are truly the best web tutor in this whole galaxy true man cause i do find your explanation very comprehensive and easy to follow. "Man why couldn't we have more Gods like you" Well gotta go but i truely see the importance of AE it has unlimited zones I wish to thank my friend Jash for showing me you site cause your tutorials just keep on making me adore AE more
true man cause i do find your explanation very comprehensive and easy to follow. "Man why couldn't we have more Gods like you" Well gotta go but i truely see the importance of AE it has unlimited zones I wish to thank my friend Jash for showing me you site cause your tutorials just keep on making me adore AE more
FearlessSalsa
16 years ago
hey these tutorials are great, but I was wondering if you knew anyway to guide the streaks so they create letters? possibly? ok yeah thanks and PeacE
niMBuS_24
16 years ago
I've watch almost all your tutorials... man it's "dementors" not "dicepticons"
Shahin
17 years ago
Hey what's up!!!!
I am from Azerbaijan. I love your lessons .... You are really super people. Thank you!!
I am from Azerbaijan. I love your lessons .... You are really super people. Thank you!!
Ratnadeep
17 years ago
Thats really Great!!!..... you are handy Sir......I don't have any words to say now.....the perfectionist one. All the best wishes from India.
Ky Newman
17 years ago
Hey, could you make a tutorial showing how to attach the light stroke to your finger using the tracking tool? That would be really cool.
Great tutorials by the way, I've had the software for a couple of days and already feel like a pro.
Great tutorials by the way, I've had the software for a couple of days and already feel like a pro.
Utpal
17 years ago
wonderful tutorial....you have eased the hardwork of thousand of people...great work...God bless you...
madliquid
17 years ago
i do really like ol of your tutorials.....,im using AE 7.0 but i dont know how to use it basically,so i just watch ur videos and i enjoy watching it...it give me ideas on how to create those effects...but as of now i think i should practice more....please send me a mail im really interested to be your student...hehehehe
by the way im LEO from Philippines,
by the way im LEO from Philippines,
L8yde
17 years ago
Great tutorial....amazing.
But i want creat simultanious many streaks... how can i do it?
i tried it but the first streak disappeared...why?
PLEASE HELP
But i want creat simultanious many streaks... how can i do it?
i tried it but the first streak disappeared...why?
PLEASE HELP
Matt
17 years ago
O Tee and Edward:
I to was struggling with this - then I realised even if you adjusted the path of the particle emitter then you would still have a problem in that once the particles were drawn they would stay where there we drawn. We need to be able to move them after they already exist.
The solution - Simple
Just parent the Particle layer (the solid with particular applied to it) to a null layer which contains your tracking data. You may need the solid to be bigger than your comp now so nothing gets get of and the layer is moved with the motion track.
I to was struggling with this - then I realised even if you adjusted the path of the particle emitter then you would still have a problem in that once the particles were drawn they would stay where there we drawn. We need to be able to move them after they already exist.
The solution - Simple
Just parent the Particle layer (the solid with particular applied to it) to a null layer which contains your tracking data. You may need the solid to be bigger than your comp now so nothing gets get of and the layer is moved with the motion track.
O Tee
17 years ago
I also would like to know how to use this with footage that shakes a bit. It does not look good when the streak is static and the background has a slight shake. Tracking does not work because it sets the keyframes where you place your light streak keyframes.
Adrian
17 years ago
Hi!!! I love your tutorials, I like learning myself everything I can, but I was stuck with AE for a long time, and very few people studying in Mexico have good notions of it. Probably because of you I will get a good job, haha, thanks
DIR. GABRIEL HART
17 years ago
PUTTING THE "LIGHT STROKE BEHIND YOU"
It took me some time but I figured it out. The object that you want the particles to go around must contain a some alpha around the object. Take that object and pre-compse it. Then place the comp. under the particles layer. Under the particles effects controller and go under the Visibility tab and change the "Also Obscure with" to all.
P.S. There is NO the 3d mask
It took me some time but I figured it out. The object that you want the particles to go around must contain a some alpha around the object. Take that object and pre-compse it. Then place the comp. under the particles layer. Under the particles effects controller and go under the Visibility tab and change the "Also Obscure with" to all.
P.S. There is NO the 3d mask
kulwinder Talwar
17 years ago
Great...awesome...tutorials.....really im ur big fan sir...and ur tutorials help me out a lot....and u r my ideal person...thnx sir
Scalon
17 years ago
How can i link the null object to a path? Like if i want to "write" with the light.
Thanks
Thanks
Edward
17 years ago
ookk..forget my comment above, I just played with the "particular" options and found "Size", lol, sorry is just that I changed that one before, but didn't notice the render was still applying, this effect really takes a little render time and having some other effects in the comp, well now I understand the usefulness of "motion preview" ..except not so much for the size you don't notice that without "full render" :p, again Andrew, thx a lot for the teaching, you get that a lot, but really thank you.
Edward
17 years ago
Hi, awesome tutorial as always, maybe my comment is a little old, but as some other people I was wondering how to have more control over the movement, and in my case, the SIZE of the light, cause I used some motion tracking to follow a path for the light, and linking it with a Null object is perfect, but now the problem is I'm getting this tiny light, in which you had the same problem until you zoom into the Z axis...which..if I do that, or scale up the "particle" layer I loose the perfect trace in my BG footage, and that's no good..I've try linking back with an emitter, but seems I have same problems...so....any help here? thx! and keep on that nice creativity
JP
17 years ago
Hey Andrew that was great...awesome tutorial
really liked it
I was wondering if you could create another tutorial where those light~streaks move with the camera to the next scene (not through 3D live action)
Thank you once again
really liked it
I was wondering if you could create another tutorial where those light~streaks move with the camera to the next scene (not through 3D live action)
Thank you once again
mixakoatlh
17 years ago
Great job man, i really apreciate that you make this tutorials, thanks a lot, i'm gonna try to get your products soon.
Scalon
17 years ago
Hello Andrew.
I was exercising trough this tutorial, and i was wondering if there's a better way to make the light streaks path more advanced. The null object is a little restrictive in doing some more fluid movements. Maybe a light streaks 3 tutotial.
Thanks anyway for this great tutorial.
All the best
I was exercising trough this tutorial, and i was wondering if there's a better way to make the light streaks path more advanced. The null object is a little restrictive in doing some more fluid movements. Maybe a light streaks 3 tutotial.
Thanks anyway for this great tutorial.
All the best
nicholas
17 years ago
Great tutorials..would be totally lost with out them...even beter that there all within one link..just bought some products from you..well worth the money i payed for them...any way keep up the good work and keep them tutorials coming...what matt lewenski is to photoshop you are to after effects
Sebas
17 years ago
Im using the lightstreaks to streak across streets of my city. They do it nicely but to make it more realistic it would be nice to have them glow on at what they come across. So while they go, they light up the ground and cars and such. Is this possible and how?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Juan Pablo Adame
17 years ago
Gracias por las tutorias en esta ocacion esto es lo que exactamente necesitaba gracias
Mike Benson
17 years ago
This tutorial led to this video...
http://snowboarding.transworld.net/2008/08/01/magic-flashlights/
Thanks Andrew!
http://snowboarding.transworld.net/2008/08/01/magic-flashlights/
Thanks Andrew!
shabain yamba
17 years ago
Great tutorial. thanks 4 showings us all the hidden video technicals. Keep up doing the good Job.
En tout cas courage ,votre travail est d'une qualite irreprochable .Shabain .From South Africa
En tout cas courage ,votre travail est d'une qualite irreprochable .Shabain .From South Africa
chips
17 years ago
man..where i can find the yellow line?? i want to get this tutorial b7ut i can`t because i don`t have the yellow line
Channoun
17 years ago
Hi Andrew KramerThanks for the tutorials...
I like your work...
It is too good work man!!!...In my country no one, no one and no one can do good work like you!!!!.
Do you know I don't have job, i don't have money to study After Effect CS3 at school. every day I hope that I can find one job after i study by your tutorial (I like kind of this job), I can do some 3ds max. with After Effect CS3 it's my fist time for this program.
My problem is I don't have some plugin like you have.
EX.
_ Trapcode Particular for AE cs3
_ Channel Invert for AE cs3 and some more...
Can you sand me 2 of this plugin
If you can your next tutorial can you come out with Plugin?.
Thank you very much
Good to hear from you...
Laurence
17 years ago
@Edd:
If I'm reading your description right (and I like to think that I am), this is one of those occasions when the not-quite-3D of After Effects catches you out.
While it appears to move in 3D space, the particle layer is essentially a flat object, so it will either go behind or in front of your keyed-out person - not both.
One solution might be to rotoscope a mask so that it obscures the particle layer at the times when you want it to appear as though it's behind the subject. Could be a lot of work, though.
Good luck!
:l
If I'm reading your description right (and I like to think that I am), this is one of those occasions when the not-quite-3D of After Effects catches you out.
While it appears to move in 3D space, the particle layer is essentially a flat object, so it will either go behind or in front of your keyed-out person - not both.
One solution might be to rotoscope a mask so that it obscures the particle layer at the times when you want it to appear as though it's behind the subject. Could be a lot of work, though.
Good luck!
:l
Edd
17 years ago
love the tutorial, but im using the lightstreaks to wrap around footage of a keyed out person and dont seem to be able to get the person to obscure the light as it travels behind him then become visible again as it flows in front of him. the image is on a 3d layer with a camera but moving the null object behind and infront doesnt seem to work. how can i do it?
rookie artist
17 years ago
I have AE 7 standard and there is no keylight!!!! And it' wont support keylight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin
17 years ago
Awesome tutorial Andrew! Thanks for the edits for the original light streaks tutorial!
Here's my test using Andrew's techniques: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cP7dsqaGXU
Here's my test using Andrew's techniques: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cP7dsqaGXU
Dream
17 years ago
hey man thet effect thet u show in the begin id ont get thet if i download your project cane some one tell me why not 
cuse i want to learn alote of after effects i just bought it
cuse i want to learn alote of after effects i just bought it
Awesome
17 years ago
Ok. didnt work. i have after effects for mac. said i needed to use the project for windows?
Sam
17 years ago
Hi there,
I'm having a little problem: I'm trying to use these streaks around a rotating can but the streaks always appear behind the can, something's not right in z-depth. I'm sure this is a simple setting I'm not seeing but I can't find it... Btw love all the tutorials m8!
All the best, Sam.
I'm having a little problem: I'm trying to use these streaks around a rotating can but the streaks always appear behind the can, something's not right in z-depth. I'm sure this is a simple setting I'm not seeing but I can't find it... Btw love all the tutorials m8!
All the best, Sam.
eric
17 years ago
Great work really helps, not only the organized speech helps but also the good vibration you have making us feel the true sense of learning witch is patiente, fun and creation.
Eric from Argentina
Eric from Argentina
nitrous_pix
17 years ago
hey dude, U pimpin' my mograph! keep being creative & i'm wait for your new fresh artwork. I always keep my attention on You in the web. You're the trendsetter one in Indonesia. Great job!
Land Chain
17 years ago
你太强æ‚ÂÂ了~~~~.Hey,man ,you are a great guys,thx for share
Zypher
17 years ago
Man I love these tutorials! Im going to see what happens if you use this and the tracker mentioned all the way back in the first tutorial.
bame
17 years ago
ok tahnks gracias por compartir conociemientos que sirven para el motor creativo.....bendiciones para ti ...desde Chile.....see ya
Jariel3DmanBR
17 years ago
Everytime I see one Andrew´s project I think to myself " I don´t know nothing!!!!!!!!!" simple perfect.. I always search for a explained project just like this..thank U man.
Biomech
17 years ago
I've just got After Effects and was looking for tutorials on rotoscoping and ended up here. You take a 2D wiggle and turn it into a 3D light stream - :O wtf! I can see I'm going to be spending quite sometime here.
Pricey
17 years ago
Im wondering if there is some kind of script or preset/plugin which you could add to this kind of animation (with the live footage) WHICH has the light streaks as like a audio equalizer, so they would move around to the beat of a song or have the lines as an actual equalizer which moves around....any ideas???....you have an excellent 'tutorial voice' as well
letsdance
17 years ago
awesome stuff, you seem to know every friggin detail of AE!
greetings from australia
greetings from australia
Vicente
17 years ago
Hey man, you are the best!, amazing effects and a lot of great stuff. Cheers from Ecuador!
Rightbrainer
17 years ago
Wow~~the website is really really great!What i learn in tutorials is more helpful than what i have learned in my institute ~!you are awesome~~Carry on!Video Copilot!you are the best~
Adam
17 years ago
Hi Andrew, another brilliant tutorial cheers.
I second Ste's request though and would love to know how to make th light streak fly around sombody.
I second Ste's request though and would love to know how to make th light streak fly around sombody.
ste
17 years ago
Hi, your tutorials are really good, but can you please do one on obscuration layers, maybe a light streaks 3? it would help a lot if you showed us how to make the light go behind certain things and people in the shot. Thanks
it would help a lot if you showed us how to make the light go behind certain things and people in the shot. Thanks
Bessim
17 years ago
Hi man excuse me i have one BIG question
i you give my CONFIGURATION OF MY PC DESKTOP PLEASE TELL ME ITS GOOD OR NO i know is not the best but tell me
Processor: intel pentium 3.0
ram 2gb
VGA : AGP radeon 9250 ( LOW )
Motherbord: Asrock 775 dual vsta (low)
hdd : 80gb excelstor
tv tuner asus hybrid
thank you verry muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
please tell me in my email its possible thank you verry muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
i you give my CONFIGURATION OF MY PC DESKTOP PLEASE TELL ME ITS GOOD OR NO i know is not the best but tell me
Processor: intel pentium 3.0
ram 2gb
VGA : AGP radeon 9250 ( LOW )
Motherbord: Asrock 775 dual vsta (low)
hdd : 80gb excelstor
tv tuner asus hybrid
thank you verry muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
please tell me in my email its possible thank you verry muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
david
17 years ago
yo man!!! i´m from portugal and i started to learn with your tutorials. i just realised that i can make the same effects in so many diferent ways. i just wanna thank you like an aprentice to his master. lolololol
dont ever stop doing those great tutorials.
your the man.
i´m from portugal and i started to learn with your tutorials. i just realised that i can make the same effects in so many diferent ways. i just wanna thank you like an aprentice to his master. lololololdont ever stop doing those great tutorials.
your the man.
声å°Âæ–‡
17 years ago
你好,我是日本人,你太牛æ¯â€Âäºâ€
Jahanzeb Khan
17 years ago
Hey man i m using after effects for 3 years but ,the momment i turned to ur web site,it changed the whole thing,u r crazy,u thing out of this world!!!!!!!,kiss u!
Jahanzeb Khan
17 years ago
Hey man i m using after effects for 3 years but ,the momment i turned to ur web site,it changed the whole thing,u r crazy,u thing out of this world!!!!!!!,kiss u!
CCSJr
17 years ago
You ROCK Mr. Kramer. So much I haven't hardly slept this weekend. I was so moved that I bought everything you have on your site. You and your tutorials(training) are the seller. Great personality to learn from and an incredible delivery. I GET IT Finally. Thanks man! You are BANG ON and you keep me laughing. I have been looking for the way to this level and your it!
I have learned more in the past two days than I have in the past two years. Thanks for everything.
Chuck Seay
I have learned more in the past two days than I have in the past two years. Thanks for everything.
Chuck Seay
ortizlgnd
17 years ago
I am trying to achieve the flowing light beams like from the Mary J. Blige vide "Just Fine". Currently, I only have Photoshop CS2. And being that After Effects costs do dern much ($999), I was hoping that you could help me achieve similar results as your light streaks 1 & 2, but with CS2. Is that possible?
ortizlgnd
17 years ago
Im amazed by your light streaks tuts ( Both of them). But I currentlyonly have Photoshop CS2. And being that After Effects is $999 and a bit out of my budget, is there any way to achieve similar results in CS2? Do you have a video tut for CS2?
Faisal Amin
17 years ago
Hey Andrew.Thanks For This Nice Tutorial.If You Would Please Kind Enough To Tell Us About The Effect Used In "THE MATRIX" (Time freeze & 360 degree Camera Rotation).I Think Everybody Will Be Happy of This Tutorial.Thanks Again
Faisal Amin
Jason
17 years ago
Whence it is possible áúðчðть this lesson... Throw On mail
Nyger@mail.ru
Nyger@mail.ru
Anto
17 years ago
Hey Andrew! You're hands down the number one on the net!!
I have a question for all of you posting here: I'm trying to work with multiple streaks...I thought I could duplicate my "particular" layer, keeping the relationship with the null, and offset it in the timeline to use it as a second streak, but it doesn't seem to work...any suggestions?
Thanks a lot
I have a question for all of you posting here: I'm trying to work with multiple streaks...I thought I could duplicate my "particular" layer, keeping the relationship with the null, and offset it in the timeline to use it as a second streak, but it doesn't seem to work...any suggestions?
Thanks a lot
Joshua Carey
17 years ago
Mr. Kramer, I found this video, and I thought you might find it interesting. It's an official music video for Simple Plan featuring a few familiar elements. When I watched it I noticed that the light streaks looked very similar to the ones in this and in the previous tutorial. You'll also notice paint splatters from your Riot Gear product. I'm fairly familiar with them as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn_dUR7IX-A check it out and let me know what you think.
Martijn from Holland
17 years ago
Hey Andrew !
Again some asslicking here, but now from Holland.
Got 1 problem...some tutorials get stuck half way.
They just stop playing, so I can't finish them.
You got any idea ?
Again some asslicking here, but now from Holland.
Got 1 problem...some tutorials get stuck half way.
They just stop playing, so I can't finish them.
You got any idea ?
Tom L
17 years ago
Andrew, You are awesome man!!! I have sped up my Graphics light years ahead because of your awesomeness! You rock! Thanks!
Atticus
17 years ago
Hey Andrew. your my new best friend! many nights we've spent together side by side, hahaha!!!
Cool stuff, cool site cool guy.
ok thats the niceties outta the way, im trying to create a heart shaped light by following the pattern of my fingers........ any tips???
thanx
Cool stuff, cool site cool guy.
ok thats the niceties outta the way, im trying to create a heart shaped light by following the pattern of my fingers........ any tips???
thanx
Jaco
17 years ago
man, you rock!!!i visited this site yesterday for te first time,
cuz i downloaded a trial of after effects cs3
and started with the basics, and some other tutorials, and ive learned so much in so liitle time!!!!
thx a lot!! you rock, keep it up!
bennie
17 years ago
oi,
mad stuff andrew !!!
please keep this site and your work up...best on the net !!!
mad stuff andrew !!!
please keep this site and your work up...best on the net !!!
Yuri
17 years ago
man, you're amazing!
Great stuff!
an idea for you,
you could host a tutorial about lightning,
the same used in the X-men movie,
when the lightning is passing over the Storm's skin
Please do that!!!
Great stuff!
an idea for you,
you could host a tutorial about lightning,
the same used in the X-men movie,
when the lightning is passing over the Storm's skin
Please do that!!!
shawn
17 years ago
hey andrew
i love the site and how you've set up this great community!
i recently bought riot and gear and AME and they are both great as well!
i was wondering if you could look into creating a smokey-particle trail effect, sort of like the nightcrawler effect in x-men 2.
thanks again!
i love the site and how you've set up this great community!
i recently bought riot and gear and AME and they are both great as well!
i was wondering if you could look into creating a smokey-particle trail effect, sort of like the nightcrawler effect in x-men 2.
thanks again!
nirav
17 years ago
this is a great tutorial ,i followed it to make similar effect in my composition ,but wat happens is that i can see the motion preview but when i switch to full render i cant see any particles ,just the under lying layers.but with same settings in different composition i can see the particles plzz help
Reno
17 years ago
Wonderful website ! Inspires me every day...
For interacting with other 3D layers, try to add an "obscuration layer" in Particular. This seems to work only for one layer
For interacting with other 3D layers, try to add an "obscuration layer" in Particular. This seems to work only for one layer
Eirik
17 years ago
Hey Andrew! I've watched all your tutorials, and yet, somehow, you manage to come up with a new and different tutorial that amazes me and everyone else every time!
Thanks!
Keep up the extremly good work!
Thanks!
Keep up the extremly good work!
Mick
17 years ago
Tommy,
Been working on this myself, I have found that having your 3d layers above or below the particular layer determines if the stroke is in front or behind. It gets difficult when you have numerous layers as I found out whilst doing a 3d montage. I'm sure there must be an easier way?
This is my first post Andrew, only found your site by chance and I must say what you do is fantastic and very generous. I have already purchased one of your products.
Thanks.
Been working on this myself, I have found that having your 3d layers above or below the particular layer determines if the stroke is in front or behind. It gets difficult when you have numerous layers as I found out whilst doing a 3d montage. I'm sure there must be an easier way?
This is my first post Andrew, only found your site by chance and I must say what you do is fantastic and very generous. I have already purchased one of your products.
Thanks.
Shimon
17 years ago
Amazing!, this tutorial is flawless and the way you explain is just too familiar and easy-to-get which makes it all much easier!. Thanks for this marvelous tutorial! 
ramonehulet
17 years ago
hey don't mean to bother you if u check this,anyway this just looks exactly like this tutorial and its a great video http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1518072&vid=194495 check it out
laayoune_production
17 years ago
thank you my teach you are fabilouse with yours tuturial magic thanks a lot all arabs love your tuturials please dont stop thanks again
Tommy
17 years ago
Really great effect but has anyone found a way yet to get the stroke to go in front and behind 3d object as just cant crack it
appreciate any help
Tommy
appreciate any help
Tommy
Leon
17 years ago
Hey dude your awesome man after watching ur this tutorial i am ready to buy some of your products....
Thanx man
after watching ur this tutorial i am ready to buy some of your products.... Thanx man
Matt
17 years ago
If I wanted to Mask the effect in some way how would I do it. As it does not seem to work the usual way.
Excellent tutorial BTW.
Excellent tutorial BTW.
Akhil
17 years ago
i have quick time, windows media player, and also real player, but i can't import any videos in.
Please can anyone help me
thanks
Akhil
Please can anyone help me
thanks
Akhil
Joshua Carey
18 years ago
I have a pretty good idea as to how to get it to go behind objects and such, however, I have the dilemma of using a moving camera shot. Could you please explain how I would get the stream to stay where it started, and move with the video, as if it were flying in the shot, and the camera was following it? I was wondering if you would need to track something to make it stay in place, but, with the moving shot that I'm trying to do, nothing can be easily tracked, since nothing stays in the entire scene. Please let me know if you come up with any ideas.
Rony
18 years ago
Hi Andrew,
as krycek mentioned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhS7c-IhX0U
probably it's made with particular as you showed us the method in this tutorial.
now my question is, how can we achieve that kind of smooth curves?
i don't know whether you check these comments or not. but if you check please answer this one. i'm sure maximum of us will like to know.
thanks for all of your tutorials.
as krycek mentioned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhS7c-IhX0U
probably it's made with particular as you showed us the method in this tutorial.
now my question is, how can we achieve that kind of smooth curves?
i don't know whether you check these comments or not. but if you check please answer this one. i'm sure maximum of us will like to know.
thanks for all of your tutorials.
Umar
18 years ago
Hi there,u have done some very good job ,but the video file is not working properly of this tutorial
Ali Kabeer
18 years ago
Andrew , you are awesome. Thanks for sharing such vast amount of knowledge ..... Although I am not an FX artist, I am still a huge fan of your work and your sense of humor .......
Thanks a lot
Thanks a lot
absolom mugwagwa
18 years ago
you are really amazing, the world needs more people like you, thankyou for sparing us time to impart some knowledge to us all,and you really are a funny dude keep it cool like that.
peace
peace
armir73
18 years ago
Very helpful
Thank's a lot
muchas gracias
merci beaucoup
long life to u and family
Iuri
18 years ago
Oi cara so do brasil
adorei esses seus tutoriais
continue assim
E eu quero baixar o AE agora!
hehehe
Hi I'm from Brazil..
i just love all these turorials
keep the good job
I wanna download AE now!
lol
adorei esses seus tutoriais
continue assim
E eu quero baixar o AE agora!
hehehe
Hi I'm from Brazil..
i just love all these turorials
keep the good job
I wanna download AE now!
lol
Skull
18 years ago
Really cool tutorial! thanks a lot! But just a question that are quite important to what I want to do: Why is it impossible to mask the particle layer in order to make the stroke go behind an element?
Derek
18 years ago
Andrew -- why can't the 3d particular stroke interact with nested objects/comps (i.e., pass behind and in front of objects)??
krycek
18 years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhS7c-IhX0U
This is a particular? or something else?
This is a particular? or something else?
Jonathan Max
18 years ago
Your tutorials are better than orther commercial tutorials around thanh you very much pal! YOU ROCK!
BoomDown
18 years ago
Excellent tutorial. I went a step further and set an obstruction layer so the stroke appears to go behind it. BUT.... How in the world do you get it to go behind and in front, essentially circling around multiple objects in 3D space. You can do this with the 'stroke effect' on a 3d solid but it looks flat. Anyone have any suggestions?
daming
18 years ago
谢谢,æ— ç§ÂÂçšâ€Å¾Ã¥Ë†â€ 享,ae爱好者交æµÂÂçšâ€Å¾Ã¤Â¹ÂÂå›Â.thank a lot from china
Jason
18 years ago
hey!!!!! I am so greatful for all your tutorials!!! thanks for making them freely available! VERY COOL!!!!! VERY VERY VERY!!!! COOLLLL!!!!
Kevin Dooley
18 years ago
Very, very nice. The one thing I didn't quite catch... Why is it easier to animate the particles with a null object? A light moves in 3D space, so shouldn't it work just as well?
Julian
18 years ago
Hi Andrew! Great site!!!
Your tutorials are great!!, I´m a begginer in after effects and its pretty cool to find someone so skilled as you who Share his knowledge.
I´d like to travel to any country in witch i can study CG, Do you know obout any Public School where I can ask for an oportunity?
Your tutorials are great!!, I´m a begginer in after effects and its pretty cool to find someone so skilled as you who Share his knowledge.
I´d like to travel to any country in witch i can study CG, Do you know obout any Public School where I can ask for an oportunity?
James
18 years ago
This has completely saved my bacon so to speak. I've just been asked to recreate the ipod ad and was a bit stuck. What a great site you have. Many many thanks.
Vino Venkat
18 years ago
Thanks a Guru, I am new to AE and I am learing a lot. Thanks a lot. Keep it up Guru.
Vino
Vino
EELKE
18 years ago
Great Tutorials, yours are the most useful ones I found so far. Great you take the effort to show inside tricks, on "current" techniques, instead of showing them years after the got out of use...
Thanx!
Thanx!
Kyle
18 years ago
all your tutorials are extremely helpful. for me, this one is one of the coolest!
thanks
thanks
Lars
18 years ago
God damn!
At the moment I don't even have AE on my comp so I just watching and learning and get ideas. It all looks so simple in some way .. Had a course in school and got kind of hooked... Cant wait to get started.. but still so good tutorials so I learn just from watching!
BTW from sweden so pardon the english..
keep up the good work ...
At the moment I don't even have AE on my comp so I just watching and learning and get ideas. It all looks so simple in some way .. Had a course in school and got kind of hooked... Cant wait to get started.. but still so good tutorials so I learn just from watching!
BTW from sweden so pardon the english..
keep up the good work ...
Eddie
18 years ago
man your awesome i use your tutorials at school to get a's so ya, thanks for these great tutorials you actually got me to buy some of your products, looking to buy real clouds next, anyways great tutorials and great stuff. Hope you well in life and with your new baby (thatll slow these tutorials down)
