A very popular request is how to make a logo breakup into particles and reform into another logo. There's many ways to achieve this and most of them require a full 3D application, but in this tutorial we learn how to achieve it all in After Effects using a 3D particle systems and a few smoke and mirrors.
Create a Breakup into Particles Logo Transition
Apr 13th in Motion Graphics by Lloyd
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Requirements: Trapcode Particular Plugin (download trial version here)
Music and Sfx used in the final piece: from AUDIO JUNGLE
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )lzx917 April 13th
tuts great ! nice cool
( )rachid April 13th
Yea seccond… great tut
( )NINJTSO April 13th
GREAT WORK >>> :p
( )_10_77 April 13th
YEEESSSSSS… the wait is worth it
( )Stefan April 13th
Really interesting tutorial even that i know the technique still very useful and inspiring
keep up the good work!
( )mehmet akif SOYERTAŞ April 13th
very nice
( )David wood April 13th
Thanks for the tutorial.
( )nirvana April 13th
GOOD!!THKS~
( )bogiesan April 13th
Yes, very nice but a totally similar effect can be done using Shatter.
( )Please indicate in the tutorial description what expensive or additional plugs are required to do the job. I don’t have particular, I’m never going to have particular, I can’t waste my time waiting to download movies only to find out they’re useless to me.
Kevin Richards April 13th
Ummm… it does say Particular is required, and clearly states that there are “..many ways to achieve this…”, so if you can do it with Shatter, great, show us how you’d do it.
And as far a never having Particular, you are missing out on an opportunity to expand your skill set, and make your work more valuable and marketable.
( )Sean April 13th
Says right there you need particular. You should have been able to watch the preview and KNOW you needed particular….I mean, that is, if you know anything about After Effects.
If you have AE…you have to have particular. You can’t come close to maximizing AE’s potential without it. If you actually paid money for AE (much more than particular) then I think you could probably save your pennies and get particular.
Without particular this site is probably pretty much useless to you…
@Lloyd…..It is GREAT to see another tut for you….and another GREAT one! You are the Maestro of AE! Thank you sir!
( )MD April 13th
‘If you have AE…you have to have particular.’
Bullshit.
AE can be used in so many different fields and the particle effects are used mostly in motion graphics only. But if you do visual effects in AE you don’t need Particular at all.
And even if you want to do some particles, I have done some AE projects with pretty decent particle effects without using Particular, using Blender 3D’s particle engine.
I think it’s a pity that this site relies so heavily on the Particular stuff, because you can do very sophisticated things with AE’s on board tools.
Topher Welsh April 14th
@MD You really should check yourself. This is a community of professionals as well as beginners. A lot of post houses, news studios, schools, and freelance designers and others have Particular… so therefore there is a great reason to do Particular tutorials. If you use Blender, then you understand how versatile a 3D particle system generator can be. Don’t bash the site, don’t curse at readers, and act a little more mature and state your views in a more reasonable way.
on another note… you might want to check out my article from a couple of weeks back…
http://ae.tutsplus.com/articles/15-inspiring-particle-based-tutorials-from-around-the-web/
You will like it… there are some tutorials in there that utilize Particle World, Particle Systems II, and few others.
MD April 14th
@ Topher Welsh,
Sorry, I realize that sounded a bit harsh and I didn’t really mean it that way. In now way did I want to bash the site, I actually quite like it.
I just really don’t like statements like ‘If you have AE…you have to have particular.’, because that is simply not true and I find it a bit sad that there are people who seem to think that you cannot do great looking stuff without particular.
Personally I think Particular is a great plug-in, I just wish this site would have more tutorials that just use the default AE tool. Because not everyone can afford these plugins (and just because you have After Effects doesn’t automatically mean you are rich and can afford all the plugins, I for example got AE for cheap as part of a student licensed Master Edition).
But you are right, my apologies again, I sounded probably more rude than I intended to be.
MD April 14th
‘No way’ that is, not ‘now way’.
Topher Welsh April 13th
“Requirements: Trapcode Particular Plugin (download trial version here)”
You should probably read the details on the tutorial before you jump to downloading. Why would you never have Particular? Isn’t that setting you sights a little short? Shatter or CC Particle World don’t even come close to the versatility that Trapcode Particular has.
And as for being rude…. you can take that elsewhere. These tutorials are free for people to learn. Please don’t bring your bad attitude to our community, we don’t need it. And don’t complain about what is given to you FREE of charge. It’s kind of ridiculous when you think about it.
Lloyd… killer tutorial dude… This is a great technique to have…
( )burningchariot April 14th
I spent years on Autodesks Maya, (and when it was owned by Alias), 3DS Max and Blender, amongst other 3D CGi packages. The only particle system or plug-in that I found that comes close to the ease-of-use and user friendliness of Particular is ‘Real Flow’, and that cost a crazy amount of cash compared to Trapcodes Particular. Also, there’s the issue of importing large files from these programs, lining things up, changing axis’ coordinates…blah…blah… PARTICULAR EXISTS IN AFX ( I’m sure u know that – but thats the point, it’s inside AFX!!! EASE OF USE!!! )
Trapcode re-invigorated AE for me, I was getting pressured to move to better programs such as Nuke and Fusion, but Trapcode literally stopped that transfer dead! lol, I have so much fun with Particular and Form, without forgetting the awesome+powerful addition of Shine. These plug-ins are almost LIMITLESS and the majority would agree that they are ESSENTIAL tools for all VFX genii !
DON’T BASH THIS SITE WHEN THE MAJORITY OF USERS ARE VERY EXPERIENCED USERS, AND WHEN WE SAY “YOU NEED TO GET PARTICULAR”, it simply means, you need to get particular!! lol, You will double the possibilities of After Effects, your work will move up to the next level, and if you ever venture into freelance or VFX studios, you will soon realize the absolute power of these Red Giant plug-ins.
As per usual, I’m not preaching to you, even though I sound like I am. Just having my weekly AETUTS rant. lol
sweet tut. thanx Lloyd
P.S. a little subtly ‘Shine’ adjustment layer finishes the effect and transitions off beautifully. I’ve done various similar projects, but mostly using ‘Form’ – was nice to see particular used.
( )Immjg April 13th
Nice…….!!! I need that.
( )Gabriel April 13th
Do you have any problems with your server’s bandwidth? The video loads so slow for me! I mean terribly slow!
Could you do something with the bandwith? I’m sure there’s no problem with my bandwidth for sure!
Anyways, the tutorial is really cool! Keep doing this nice work!
( )Topher Welsh April 13th
It seems like some people have trouble playing the videos from the site directly, so that is why they added the download option. That way you can play the video directly from your hard drive.
( )Diego SA April 13th
Cool! Love the + particles.
( )Alexandre Broggio April 13th
very cool ^_^
( )Kevin Richards April 13th
Lloyd, great tut!
Instead of duplicating the + layer to hide the explosion at the end could you possibly use the Obscuration option in Particular?
( )Lloyd April 13th
Yeah, you totally could. Great suggestion!
( )rachid April 13th
n1
Jim Hines April 13th
Thank you! This is a nice practical effect pleasantly presented. Lots of nice little tips and techniques throughout.
What’s kinda funny is I was listening to it with my headphones on but I forgot that I had the headphones on. So I’m listening and I start hearing some sirens and what not and so I turn the sound up on my system and the sirens get louder….then I remember your in NY also so…of course there are sirens in the background.
Keep up the good work and I enjoyed your presentation at AENY a couple months back.
( )Lloyd April 13th
Ha! Yes, my office overlooks 6th Ave, so there’s always going to be sirens in the background. I actually tune them out so it’s funny that once you point them out I can hear them again.
( )STeeL April 13th
Hello, i am a PC user and i liked your tutorial, however can you please e-mail me the export info? i mean what codec you used? color profile? codec settings? i really need this information. Thanks! e-mail: frost.steel@gmail.com
( )Sal April 13th
Lloyd,
Another great tutorial (or is that Tuts). Your site is awesome. I can’t believe you guys are providing these many tuts at such a rapid clip. And for free. It’s only been a month I’ve been studying AE and with the lessons from this site and another one which I will not mention I’ve reached a level of skill that would have taken months if I attended courses.
Thank you.
( )Sean April 13th
@MD
I doubt if your feelings about Particular are shared with too many people who actually HAVE particular.
But nice job cursing. Very classy!
( )erikson April 14th
i have particular and really enjoyed using it, but i think the tutorial is too large.
( )Irving April 14th
nice tut + nice play on the plus signs
( )Rafi April 15th
thanks a lot for this quality tutorial! i havent watched it all throught yet but i sure will!
can someone tell me why a lot of people alwys set the frame rate to 23.967 instead of just 24?
cheers
( )Lloyd April 15th
Because here in the US we use NTSC which runs at 29.97fps. If you inverse telecine 29.97 to 24p you get 23.976fps. . You guys have it much simpler in Europe because PAL runs at 25fps and the conversions are much simpler. I guess they like to do things the complicated way here, which i guess is why the US still hasn’t switched to the metric system either.
( )Satya Meka April 15th
Totally true. I find the metric system way easier! Hopefully someday US will adapt it.
Rafi April 16th
haha yes thats true. this reminds me of the good A4 format. A4 is standard in europe. it is symmetrical so you can make four A5 sheets out on one A4. then again an A3 makes 2 A4. the good thing is that when you want to write a letter to someone. theres usually A5 for a standard letter and A4 for important documents that are not to be folded. you guys in the us have like a million of different envelopes and you always need to find the matching paper for it.
John John Bo Bon April 16th
sweet
( )chrisberthe April 16th
Awesome effect. I love Trapcode Particular! Thanks.
( )Cary April 17th
Thanks. Nice tut. If possible, where can we download the logos used in the tut?
( )Devin April 17th
There is Police cars in your background, for a moment I thought it was me but then i paused and then it stopped. But other than that it was a great tutorial and keep it up. Hope to see more from you very soon.
( )Lloyd April 17th
That’s NYC living for ya!
( )Devin April 17th
I live in NYC too.
CgBaran Tuts April 17th
Excellent tutorial thanks
( )Leigh Quince April 18th
Cheers for the great tutorial, I really liked the screen grab software you used, i am a teacher and am looking for a really good screen recorder that will show when i click or hit short cut keys like yours does. Was wondering which one it is you used?
cheers for any help
( )Lloyd April 19th
SUre, the software that shows the keyboard shortcuts is called KeyCastr
( )GRL April 18th
This might sound stupid but my only question is:
how do you get those illy documents exported into AE with no background?
such as the logo or the plus particles?
It’s the first time I actually try AE. Sorry
( )Lloyd April 19th
@GRL – Not sure I fully understand your question, but if you mean the logos then you just need to make sure there is no background behind them in illustrator and AE will create an alpha channel for you when you import it.
( )Angelo April 24th
great tuts.. I really liked it.. but is there a way to accomplish the same outcome without using trapcode’s particular? I can’t really afford buying it..
( )Satya Meka April 24th
You can do it with Blender. http://blenderunderground.com/2008/02/28/particle-logo-for-blender-underground/
( )Franky May 2nd
Yo, this is Legit!
( )msnce May 3rd
haha your tutorials are very good!
( )Hila May 3rd
How do i download the tutorial? It seems whenever i click the “download” button it takes me to a separate window with a quicktime logo.
( )do i need to “save link as”… if so mp4 isn’t a file that quick time recognizes.
help pleaseee
Lloyd May 3rd
Right-Click on the word Download and select Save-As
( )Adnan Siddique May 4th
awesome tut! I was going nuts trying to learn all the trapcode plug-ins, this was definetly one of the best
( )Diego May 15th
beautiful tut! Thanks a lot!!
I was looking for a similar effect but instead of pluses I’d like to have pictures. I mean, many different pictures that combine to create a logo.
have you seen any tut like that around, or is it possible to adapt this one?
cheers,
( )David J May 21st
Excellent. Any thoughts on how to do the particle system but made up of photographs that reform back to logo?
( )Lloyd May 21st
Maybe this tutorial can give you some help http://www.maxafter.com/carddance.htm
( )Esnake May 27th
It can be a very good 15 minutes tutorial.
( )kb10 June 10th
Thanks a lot
( )I learn few fonctions that I didn’t know
animaji June 29th
Your tuts are great!! Thank you so muuuch.. this is very usefull for me.. keep up a good work..
( )Dwayne Neckles July 6th
Hey Lloyd Great tutorial,
this is alwayzambitious one of your nyc based followers from twitter..
My question is, what was the point of using the light emitter and the camera, when you achieved the same effect ( particles moving right past the camera ) without a light emitter by using a layer emitter that u dont have to resize..
( )Lloyd July 6th
Many ways to skin a cat, but the advantage of using a light emitter is that it is a 3D point and you can have several emitters for one instance of particular. But like you point out the final result can be achieved either way, depends on how you like to work.
( )Dwayne Neckles July 6th
Oh cool, didn’t know that. I knew there was a benefit/good resaon but just didn’t know what it was.
khabchi Abdelilah July 22nd
I’m downloading the tutorial and still waiting
( )I have nothing to say for the moment untill I watch the video
he he he he
Andrew Mc August 2nd
Wow. Simply an amazing tutorial. I’ve been working with Photoshop for a few years, but this is my second After Effects project, and your tutorial was thorough enough that I managed to follow along. Thanks a bunch. You’re awesome.
(And you should definitely post a tutorial on how you did the sound effects! There don’t seem to be many of those around, and they were really cool)
( )Senegal August 14th
Im from senegal and ijust see your tuts is verynice and i want to use it for my job please i want to downlload the tut? help
( )qq September 2nd
can not use customed particle sharp.
( )Aman Fahimullah November 8th
Awesome Tutorial. Quite handy.
( )Johan Roggenback-waren November 18th
I am a big fan of the sound effects incorporated. We got the police siren, the scratiching in the beard. and ohh, the loose track of particle systems. Which comes to Lloyd as a shock/surprise
Good stuff…
I am using this tutorial to “jump over where the rail is lowest”
Can you say that?
opposed to making this in flash, yeiks!
Thanks for the help there
( )