New Tutorial: Skin Displacement

October 31st, 2007

In this tutorial we'll learn a procedural way to make skin displace as if bugs are crawling under the surface. This technique can be used for numerous things, including Halloween videos.

Watch Video

PS, Thanks for your patience ; )

Here are some different possible looks:

Andrew Kramer

POSTED:

18 years ago

95 Comments

Atlanta Video Production

15 years ago

Reminds me of the scarabs in The Mummy.

Shiv

16 years ago

Hey you guys are great you had did graet job thanks very much ..........

Duedlyprurden

17 years ago

Hi All.

Nice forum.happy to be here and hope to be more involved.

thanks,
Mickael

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Rick

17 years ago

One of your tutorials used in another movie... lol Shutter...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J98Nh6fECNc
(look at around 1:38)

Dietrich

17 years ago

Borg nano probes!!!!!

Daniel

18 years ago

I couldn't understand some parts of this article nnial 2007 - salvatore iaconesi - del.icio.us poetry, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.

marty

18 years ago

Great tutorial.. stunning !!!

How do i download a tutorial from andrew kramer instead of veiwing it online all the time ? my bandwidth is pretty crap and it takes ages to load and drops out all the time is there a wasy to save the tutorial so i can watch it from my computer ???

Darren

18 years ago

Hey Andrew I just purchased the Designer Sound FX DVD and it is worth it big time! I cant wait for the release of EVOLUTION ! thanks!!

Jason

18 years ago

Andrew, any clues how to make one of the bugs rip out of the skin and still look believable?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JtX9lx4_8

VFX-Anomaly

18 years ago

Jeffrey Maniebo,

I just watched a show on how they made the Sand Man, and it was made in Maya

Cheers

Jeffrey Maniebo

18 years ago

Hey whats up Andrew, wow what a great tutorial you made for Halloween, um I'm asking if u can make a tutorial on the sand effect from the movie Spider Man 3 using the particle presets, well cuz im new to After effects so..

Alejandro

18 years ago

Art:

No problem! Hope it helps, the final animation should be interesting. Please let me know when you complete it so I can give it a look. And thanks for your comments!

Regards

Alejandro

Art G.

18 years ago

@Alejandro -

Thank you sir! I will definitely give it a shot. I appreciate the response and by the way, your portfolio on your website is very impressive!

Thanks again for your help!
-Art G.

Alejandro

18 years ago

@Art G:

Just animate the mask. It's the same parameter, just drag the point or edges.
You could also create a path and use the stroke effect.

Orc Master

18 years ago

Great stuff there! Making fun of Sam's approaching baldness, of Sam's face of terror, even of Sam's job as an actor for 24 and that commercial thing... (what sticks that friendship together anyways?

)

You even remembered that I said that we in Venezuela didn't celebrate Halloween! Or you didn't? :s

Well, anyways, great stuff. Now I only have one doubt... What about the worms? Imagine I wanted to make worms crawling under skin, would I have to animate the mask? Could I use the puppet tool or something else to animate it more easily?

As I said, GREAT FREAKIN' STUFF! I however also miss the good ol' times when actors actually had to have cockroaches climb their butts and then wait until the bugs where in place for filming; don't worry, the roaches were clean

Art G.

18 years ago

Andrew-

I have completed my own trial utilizing the footage you supplied us in the project file and was very pleased with the outcome. I was wondering if you can provide some insight on the best method to achieve the effect of a vascular build up or veins branching up or down the arm utilizing this method? How would one animate the silhouette matte to strech by remaining static at one end and yet animating at the other?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you sir!

randy

18 years ago

great job mr kramer. Incredible

illegalD

18 years ago

??¤hhm, ok im sorry for that...

Andrew Kramer

18 years ago

Please keep posts on topic. There are several places to post relevant information.

illegalD

18 years ago

@ AK: Now that, i call a comeback

I thought the fires got you...

@Bones: Nice shots in your flick, especially the last one

What cam did you use?

Jason

18 years ago

Andrew,

Any updates on Evolution? Your first post on Oct. 12th said less than a month. The clock is ticking and Nov. 12th is fast approaching. I am getting anxious. Still planning on getting it out by the 12th or is it going to be a little longer?

By the way check out my bug try at the bugs under the skin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JtX9lx4_8

Art G.

18 years ago

Bones -

Not that I carry any skills to where I could be considered any type of professional movie critic or anything, but Damn... that was good!
Outside of just the visual effects, the scene sequence, camera shots, voice over, and music was all perfect. Can't wait to see more!

Bones

18 years ago

This effect looks awesome. I cant wait to put it into use!

check out the one man short I made with the help of Action Movie Essentials.

http://vimeo.com/367034

Chris

18 years ago

Great work as usual! Thanks for taking this one several stages deeper with the displacement and shadows. I don't know where you find the time to do everything, but THANKS A LOT!!!

Vikram

18 years ago

Andrew,

Well i'm posting my first trial video for the bug on my face

But there is one glitch. I have removed the shadow matte as it is not giving a good result and was looking slightly fake. Well here's my pre pre version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rHX6qyf9mc

and one for the demonness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LSeVO0U8mk

My work is not as good as Andrew's but i had given it a shot.

Keep the volume up white watching the demonness

TAKE CARE

Bill Kelly

18 years ago

Cool tutorial. That was a really fun one to do. I hope Sam has a good health insurance plan with everything that you do to him.

kAMA

18 years ago

@ Video-Fx-Universe

haha instead, why don't you say to yourself, "hmmm, i wonder how 'I' could do that."

VFX-Anomaly

18 years ago

Hey nice, How much slack did you get for being in that costume?

Video-Fx-Universe.com

18 years ago

This tutorial basically answers the questions i had about "the mummy" and "the mummy returns" because its those films where i saw this effect for the first time and i thought it was soo clever how they did it. However as a video editor just like a lot of people, nothing really shocks me anymore, because I have learned so much in special effects in video that anything i see on screen now i just say to myself " so how would andrew show us how to do this"

bwoogie

18 years ago

So, Andrew, did you get a lot of candy last night?! :O

Jason

18 years ago

Thanks Art G. I appreciate it.

Art G.

18 years ago

Jason- I just checked out your first run at this effect and it came out great! Unfortunately I would not be able to pull it off in the same manner as you since no one want to look at creepy crawlers scrolling over my fat beer belly.

I will have to come up with another creative approach.
Excellent work on your part though!

Jason

18 years ago

I tried to use real bugs but I couldnt get the tube to fit to get em in. Then theres the issue of trying to get them out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JtX9lx4_8

Jesse

18 years ago

I was going to do the same thing eith real bugs but now 'm thinking this might be a little safer. Awsome stuff.

Jesse

18 years ago

I was going to do the same thing eith real bugs but now 'm thinking this might be a little safer

Jason

18 years ago

Here is my try at it. Its only a test so I didn't spend too much time on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JtX9lx4_8

Judd

18 years ago

"If you canâ??????t use what youâ??????ve learned then I have wasted my lifeâ???¦ and what the hell are we trying to save."

lol

Art G.

18 years ago

Andrew,

In response to your second state above:

True... True... True...

Wait a second, that was a rhetorical question... right?

Any crazy Halloween stories from last night you wish to blog today? Surely Indiana has some adventures to share!

Nathan

18 years ago

I agree with Tuan you should make a part two of this of a bug entering or exiting. that would be soo cool. It would add to the effect soooo much.

Andrew Kramer

18 years ago

Vikram, the technique is exactly the same for the hand and arm as shown in the tutorial. Track the hand and arm and follow the steps. Don't think of it as a face...

If you can't use what you've learned then I have wasted my life... and what the hell are we trying to save.

Moca MX

18 years ago

On first pic is that Green Easy?

Jason

18 years ago

AMAZING!!!! I love horror movies so this is the kind of tutorials I love. Thanks so much!!!!

Kdawg

18 years ago

Whatever happened to the good old days when we used real bugs? We would put a slit in the skin unter the shirt area. insert the roaches, then tape the wound up. The actor had to hold the roaches in place till the scene was set up. Usually only once chance of getting it right though.

GaÃƒÂ«tan

18 years ago

I love it Cool :d :d

Ben Whiting

18 years ago

Sweet sweet sweeet, I think they just keep getting better!

Way2Evil

18 years ago

cool

lifetype

18 years ago

im amazed at how simple you make things that seem so complicated . you are the best teacher ive ever learned from seriously so effective and to the point and simple . genius

Tim

18 years ago

Lovin it!

Man you are the best, i really hope that you will not stop this, guz you have given me new point in my life, man really i totali respect you you are funny helpful and really nice to listen your tuts, oh, there is no way to but all the words on this post but, u konow tahat you are one of a kind!

Vikram

18 years ago

Gr8 Tutorial,

But you didn't show us the HAND.MOV which was there on your project window

Try to incorporate that you by creating a new part of this tutrial.

Thanks

Fonzie

18 years ago

nice tut.

was Sam really on 24? If so, which season/episode did he appear in?

JustAmit

18 years ago

this tutorial is awesome.... i love u andrew.... (im strait, but this to to damn good)

Fedegomez

18 years ago

Muy buen trabajo! fede de Argentina...

Derek

18 years ago

Dude, that's gross...but awesome.

Daniel Reynolds

18 years ago

Yay! Happy Halloween!

m.abulazm

18 years ago

Hi Andrew

as usuall, you are amazing.
this is fantastic, when i thinking about all your effort i wondered how kind this person is ?

thanks for all your amazing work

Tuan

18 years ago

awesome great!!!!

u should have this tutorial part 2- with the bug dig out of his face and fly, then land on the camera lens

that would be so cool!!! definitely cool!!!

Ryoo

18 years ago

thanx man your awsome ^^

AK FTW !!!

hgoodsir

18 years ago

your the man !

Juan

18 years ago

The sounds at the beginning of the tutorials sound good
I think they are from a TV show called the "x" something

Jelle

18 years ago

This is amazing! Soooow great!!! Thanks alot!

El Parco

18 years ago

Simply beautiful as always. It's amazing how you can make these things so easy for us. You're big, Kramer.

Juan

18 years ago

Yessssssssss!
I knew that you were gonna put this tutorial on Halloween

it's here the golden 50th tutorial

y designer

18 years ago

it is a super idea
you did a very great work
thank you Andrew for all

NeedNewEmail

18 years ago

Great now that we have our Fix (Tutorial Addiction) when can we expect Evolutions Release?

Yep I am pushing for an answer, what are you going to do about it?
Make bugs crawl under my skin or something?

ROFL HAHA, well I guess that can be done so I better shut up now

Thanks again AK, You make VFX simple for the masses.

Revolution

18 years ago

Congrats on tutorial number 50!

ninguem

18 years ago

Great, Junior!

Jens Chr Blix

18 years ago

Wow... now all I need to do is to find a victim... WOW...

Maybe a politician would deserve a "treatment"....

3pm

18 years ago

FANTASTIC! NOW I CAN MAKE BUGS CRAWL UNDER MY SKIN AS WELL AS ON TOP OF MY SKIN! IT'S EVERY BOYS DREAM!

Awesom tutorial.

Happy Halloween!!

Art G.

18 years ago

Andrew -

You are going to give Sam a complex with the receiting hairline joke... who am I to have any room to talk - check out my picture on my homepage:

http://www.youtube.com/AG3MiniFilmsStudio

Art G.

18 years ago

Happy Halloween Mr. Jones...

Indiana Jones that is!

Kyle Troxell

18 years ago

this is mind bottling.

Great tutorial. You are very witty Andrew Kramer.

Some Guy

18 years ago

Well, it's ok. Nothing special.
No, just kidding.

It's great. It's awesome. It's even better than I thought it would be. Thank you very much.
Happy Halloween everybody! Especially to you, Indiana...

PS: Andrew, do you have a dog and if yes, what's his name?

dcloud

18 years ago

More complicated than it looks

Alex Schaefer

18 years ago

Haha ew! That's gross- but so awesome! Thanks Andrew.

clight

18 years ago

I think I'll use this technique to make money flow into my wallet.
Thanks AK!
c

adam k.

18 years ago

happy halloween

superville

18 years ago

WOOOOOOOOOOOAH

Thomas

18 years ago

HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Thanks Andrew for this great tutorial. You're doing a brilliant job. I will be using this tutorial in my new project.

NeedNewEmail

18 years ago

Awesome I knew you would be releasing it today

Thanks Andrew

Marc Biorklund

18 years ago

Look's amazing

Sounds like I know what I am going to play with for the next hours :p

Thanks for the sharing

Ã™â€¡Ã™â‚¬Ã™â‚¬Ã™â‚¬Ã˜Â§Ã˜Â´Ã™â€¦

18 years ago

CoOl

Maor

18 years ago

YEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Great!! Andrew, I Love U man!!!!!!!!!!!

Casko

18 years ago

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

jorberg

18 years ago

Awesome work Andrew!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Now if we can only get our hands on Evolution....

Bels

18 years ago

Thanks. Finaly I was checking web site for this update like every day during this week...
CooOOl

Morten Christensen

18 years ago

WWOOOOOOOOOOT NICE

Codemonkey

18 years ago

it`s okay.......

great work, worth the wait.

Bones

18 years ago

YESS!!! Thanks dude

Roldan

18 years ago

Sam is just the king!!!!

Raj

18 years ago

WHOAAA...this is going to be the best halloween EVER!!!!...Thank you Mr. Kramer for making this an unforgettable halloween!!

klaus

18 years ago

even better than the simpsons

Steve Duchesne

18 years ago

yooooooooo !!!

Eldee

18 years ago

woohooo

)))))

Connor

18 years ago

Wow! Fantastic!

I am definitely going to use this!

Thanks.

sawdust

18 years ago

yeah.. nice halloween special!

thanks andrew!!

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