Create an Effect Inspired by the Bourne Ultimatum End Credits Sequence
Tutorial Details
- Program: After Effects
- Difficulty: Advanced
Final Product What You'll Be Creating
In a very clever use of Trapcode Particular, this tutorial shows us how to create an effect that is inspired by the Bourne Ultimatum end credits sequence.
Tutorial
Requirements: Trapcode Particular (download a trial version here)
Learn how to create random 3d lines using particular. This effect was inspired from the famous "Bourne Series" end credits. Well it might not be exactly that, but I gave it a try and I hope you guys can learn something new from it and will experiment to create something of your own.
Step 1
First create a new comp with settings as "NTSC Widescreen Square Pixel" and frame rate as 29.97. I have chosen these settings but if needed you can choose any preset you wish.
Step 2
Make a new solid using "Layer>New>Solid" with the comp size and name it as "Particular". It is on this comp that we apply "Trapcode Particular".
Step 3
Right click on the layer and go to "Effect>Trapcode>Particular" and apply the Particular onto the solid.
Step 4
In the settings for "Trapcode Particular" change the emitter settings as follows:
The plan here is that we need some basic particles to be emitted and we control the motion of the particles.
Set particles/sec keyframes as follows:
As you can see, some particles have been emitted and then it is keyframed to turn off emission of particles. This is done to retain the particles emitted and stop continuous emission. We only control the particles emitted and move them in the space in lines.
Step 5
Also, change the particle and physics settings as follows:
Step 6
Change the Aux Particles settings as follows:
A small problem here is that the No. of particles / sec should be optimized between your computer’s performance and the formation of a clear line. So I would ask you to choose the value yourself. As of mine I experimented with it a little bit and chose the least possible value to get a perfect line.
The key to this animation is that we make use of the particles generated in Step 4 and move them in exact straight lines and we mark their path using the aux emission from the main particles.
Step 7
Take a new camera using "Layer>New>Camera" and select the 35mm preset. Disable the Depth of Field if its already present. We will switch it on at the final step.
Step 8
Now we use the graph editor and manual keyframing in order to change the wind direction from time to time. The max wind speed I used is 500, since this is crucial for a perfect line path. If you are increasing the No. of particles/sec in step 6 to a higher value you may need increase this more. But the key to this effect is turning on and off simultaneously of the wind speed in directions of X,Y and Z.
Step 9
If you observe the animation you can clearly see the formation of lines in the same way. (i.e. all the lines move in the same direction at the same time).
Step 10
Duplicate the layer Particular to make a copy of that layer. Place it on top of the original layer. Change the settings of the particular of that layer as follows.
We change the settings of the position Z value of the emitter in order to get more Z depth to the animation and we also increase the emitter size to make more lines appear in the background and cover a lot of space.
Step 11
Now we will change the wind direction values and their order of occurrence in order to create randomness in the formation of lines as of Step 8. This is the boring part since we have to keyframe all the values for each sec gap but here is a small trick to ease the pain:
Using the values we made for the original Particular in Step 8, we copy the same values into this layer but at different directions. Example: I have copied the Wind X of original layer to Wind Y of this new layer and vice versa (Wind Y to Wind Z and Wind Z to Wind X). You do this by selecting the property you want to paste into first by clicking on its name then pasting.
Step 12
Duplicate the Particular 2 Layer to make another copy of that layer and give the settings for the emitter as follows:
In order to have more lines and have a little randomness in the video, we only change the emitter size.
Step 13
As you have done in Step 11, change the wind direction of the new layer.
Using the values we made for the "Particular 2 layer" in Step 13, we copy the same values into this layer but at different directions. Example: I have copied the Wind X of original layer to Wind Y of this new layer and vice versa (Wind Y to Wind Z and Wind Z to Wind X).
Step 14
After these steps in the final animation you will find the lines moving in random directions.
If you want a greater depth into the values increase the emitter size and particles/sec in all the Particular layers.
Step 15
Now we create a new composition with the same settings used before. This comp contains the information that you want to appear. I created a type layer "Indulgence".
Step 16
Create a new solid and apply Particular Effect to it. Then change the settings of the particular as follows:
Change the Particles/sec from 10 in the first frame to ) in the next frame. This makes the Particular release just one particle that we use in the following. You can also use 3d stroke in this part but the reason I chose particular is that I wanted to make the whole animation using just particular.
Step 17
Change the Particle, Physics and Aux System values.
Step 18
For the wind system you can copy the values from the particular layers that we made in Step 8 or you can re enter different values.
Step 19
Go to Layer> New>Camera to use a new camera and position the particular such that it is best viewed. Make the text/image layer 3D and then adjust it along the line formed by changing the Z values so that it gives a depth feel.
Step 20
Apply a linear wipe effect to the type layer in order to make it appear as the line moves across it.
Step 21
Import the Text comp into the Main comp and make it a 3D layer. Then position in the comp so that the information is clearly visible.
Step 22
Now animate the camera. Since the particular works in 3d you can rotate, pan, zoom and do whatever you want to in the 3d space. I gave a simple zoom and pan motion to the camera.
Step 23
Turn on the Depth of Field to the camera by pressing "aa" on the keyboard with camera layer selected. Then change the values of the Focal Distance and Aperture to the one which you think is the best and apply keyframes to them.
Step 24
Also Turn on the Depth of Field on all the Particular layers by choosing the value " Full Render + DOF Square". Also make the particle size "0" in order to remove the blobs/dots before every line.
Step 25
Now we add some lens effect to the animation. Make a new composition with the same settings and create a new Black solid. Apply "Ramp Effect" using Effect> Generate > Ramp. Change the settings of Ramp and choose the Animations Presets as "Vignette Lighting". Then change the colors of the ramp.
Step 26
Import this composition into the Main composition and turn off the layer. Then create a new adjustment layer using " Layer>New>Adjustment Layer". Rename it as lens and place it on top of all the layers. Apply the lens blur effect using " Effect>Blur>Lens Blur". To the lens blur apply the following settings:
Step 27
Lets add some Bluish Tint and Glow effect to the animation. Create a new adjustment layer and place it on top of all the layers. Rename the layer as "Glow". Then apply the effects "Tint", "Curves" and "Glow" in the same order.
Give the settings for these effects as follows:
Step 28
If you want to add another information/title/image duplicate the Text comp and make the necessary modifications as elaborated and place it in the Main Comp.
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The outcome looks awesome!
Yeah, looks good, but I’d like a Videotutorial more. Hate to read that much stuff online.
Sorry, but when it’s not a video tut it’s too booring… Bye
Earlymansion, are you really that big a wanker? Someone gives you FREE information and because you have to read it, you won’t? Well I guess AETuts won’t make any money out of you never coming back to their free tutorial site. I guess they better pick their game up.
Good technique Chaitanya, useful info.
I love that people can see beyond the mechanics of engineering, physics, chemistry or mathematics and peer into the beauty of the relationships of patterns and particles.
Your loss. bye :))
awesome!
wrong download preview.flv link it is old tutorial link.
http://blip.tv/file/get/Aetutsplus-BurningBuildingTutorialPreview454.flv
Please Fix it
Link fixed
can you make a video tutorial??? Please. But it looks very great and awesome
Very nice effect! Thanks for sharing! :)
I wondered how can I make it properly and I was even prepared to start making it and … Surprise on this site. However the final result is almost completly different than the original… I will try to make in a much different way.
thx anyway, but it doesnt look so good . Good technique
Very Clever… btw I am from hyd too..
Hi Satya,
Thanks a lot. Your videos are awesome.
:D
Great to hear that you are a Hyderabadi.
Imagine that…..we had to wait all the way to post #2 for someone to complain about this not being a video tutorial. Wow……
The issue isn’t whether or not it is a video tutorial or not. The issue is whether it is a GOOD tutorial. We have seen WAY too many crappy tutorials around here lately. I will GLADLY read through a tutorial if it is a good on.
….and this is a GREAT effect! Finally a great tutorial to go through and a new effect to learn. Thanks Chaithanya! Hope to see much more from you!
Nice looking effect… would like to see more randomness and maybe fewer particles. Will give it a shot. Thanks!
awesome ,,,nice one
great work greetings frm india
Greetingszy from poo poo lagoon, very good techniques this is. I praise you, but I like videos in my tutsplus and im a lazy wankjobber. Thanks for reading.
Wow…AEtuts Rocks….
Hyderabadi Rocks dude , nice tutorial. I am also from hyderabad learning vfx .
Very nice!
Anyone know who designed the original?
Interesting technique, although I hate that much keyframes….I wonder if those rectangle moves could be somehow done with expressions. I mean like that one tutorial of Lloyd Alvarez where a circle was done with a sinus function…Any Ideas?
Hi illd,
I tried using expressions but couldn’t get one which changes the wind direction alternatively in x, y and z axis. If you have any idea, please share.
Realy Nice. I was thinking about throwing some color inside :)
And I had an idea how make it easyer. You can parent wind to 3d Null Object’s position… then you move nullobject and wind will follow.
Hi Mike,
Had the same idea, but thought that working on the graph editor would be more easier, I can have all the values before me, so there cannot be any errors.
i have no patience to read.. sorry
You understand how pathetic this make you sound? I have no idea why you’d say “sorry.” It’s your loss that you don’t seem to have the ability to read through a whole 2 pages of text. So pathetic….
nice stuff.. But I think there is a simpliest way without all thoses Keyframe and particle effect… Simpye draw a shape with square angle, animate the revealing line. duplicate that shape in 3d world and that it ! .)
my technique works if you use trapcode 3d Stroke ;0)
Hi villa,
Yes that’s one technique, but as you see this one is very flexible. If you wanted to have more amount of lines, all you need is to increase the size x y and z, and no. of particles/sec.
Shure! rectangle Masks converted to paths – thats really a good Idea. Its a shame that i used this technique along time ago and now I already forgott it…
no patience to read?
you people that can’t read through a tutorial – aren’t going to go anywhere in your professional careers. i’m glad people like you are around – you make me seem like an even better designer than i am, because i learn more techniques than you because i have the patience to read through a tutorial.
so thanks, and keep it up. the more you slack with practicing your “skillset”, the better i look and the more i get paid.
The people in this world are becoming more and more lazy and spoiled.
I grew up without cable TV or a cell phone! And a bunch of other luxuries you fools don’t appreciate.
Great tutorial…thanks for taking the time to TYPE it!
Man ur old, NO CELL PHONES!?!?! you must be like 90 or something :) I’m joking, but yeah… people are lazy and don’t appreciate a tut unless its spoon fed to them.
“THANK YOU, GIMMIE MORE!!!” (in my most retarded voice i can make)
amazing tutorial thank you.
Well in the debate of video tutorial or text, I say text.
I can scan the text in a few minutes, see what I need to see, and move on rather than watching a whole video.
wow ! bave :)
keep up the good work
nice tutorial…thanks for putting every step clearly…will try it out!
I think some expressions would do instead of the boring and not so random key framing.
excellent tutorial ! thank you !
Really great technique.
I’m thinking of numerous ways to use it.
Thanks
Brilliant, you are on your way to become a VFX master now…
Chaitanya!
Brilliant tutorial dude.
And about the debate for video and text tutorials!
At the end it’s the outcome that matters.
Both have their pros and cons but you must consider the hardwork the author puts to get a screenshot every time and make a tutorial. Try publishing one yourself before saying text tutorials aren’t good. I personally prefer text tutorials since i can copy them and save them as a document and then go on with my animation
Cheers Chaitanya! I myself being a B.Tech student appreciate your effort for publishing a tutorial. Shows engineers are much more than nerds ;)
nice work…
btw, you could have used and demonstrated a camera rig . then the camera movements could have been much more smoother…
anyway,,, great work buddy..
thank you!
Great effect thanks for this tutorial
Yo Bave!!! I am BITS GOA as well!!!
Proud to be ur classmate and learning so much from the tuts and keep rockin!!!
Yo… Abhay
Thanks.. and ATB for your PS…
:)
Very nice effect! Thanks :)
is there a downloadable file to see this, as its not working for me. I’m new to AE.
If you want a project file for this
mail me at hello@ylchaithanya.com
Hi did you get my email?
is there a chance to get the project file please?
Hi,
Got my mail?
I really appreciate the tutorial, but I do agree that a video tutorial is better than a written one. So please, when you can find the time, please make a video tutorial for this great effects.
From portugal, nice tutorial but in can´t pass the step 4, could you explained this tutorial with a video tutorial…it’s more easy to me understand watching…(sorry my inglish is very bad :)
be well, thank you
Hey thanx chaitanya for this cool effect….
well but i m kind of new into AE n haven’t used graph editor as yet, so all i was able to get after scrubbing G.Editor whole night were some curved lines out of it, so if you get time plz elaborate that graph editor section a bit. You may term that spoon feeding but for a starter like me it could be helpful. I would really appreciate that……………………
and anywayz congrats for this nice lookin effect.
bev rocker ….lovely :D
heyy,
i’m really glad you started posting your experiences with FX online.
hope you’re having a great time at Pixelloid. Look forward to more articles…something more about your graphic design process… if you wanna do a written article…you know with designs and all.
if possible, you may consider using camtasia studio for recording video tuts. It gives you great control over screen recording with commentary.
we’d love to learn more from you :)
its a cool effect but personally i think thats there is too many lines
i hope can make like this. it so nice.
It’s nice to have screenshots once in awhile. Thanks
ALL THE PEOPLE COMPLAINING, PLEASE STFU.
Great tutorial.
ohh! thank you so much~
i tried to follow your step but got lost in step 8 >”<
could you explain it clearly?
where to set wind speed ?
appreciate your contribute ! !
Hi – that’s a nice looking effect, and a nice tutorial. Good Job!
It’s always nice to be able to look at the source code when trying to code along however. Maybe something to bear in mind for the next one?
Keep up the good work, and look forward to seeing more!
Hi u all, i´ve tried to do it but i get stuck in step 8 like tzu, more information would be great.
Thanx anyway and keep on rolling (typing or videotuting :-) )
Hi Can anybode send me the projectfile to my email Account
dennis_seidensticker@hotmail.com
Subject: AE Tutsplus Bourne Effect
Thx for help me
nice project dude it would be nice it this was a video tutorial lots of steps to read to show it on video it would be easy to follow