Bringing the Heat with Trapcode Particular
Here’s a little render I did while messing around in After Effects with Trapcode Particular. With all the work I’ve been doing, I haven’t had the chance to play around with Particular for quite some time. Obviously nothing mind blowing, but I just wanted to share this quick render with you all to show you some of the things you can create with Particular very fast and easily. This kind of reminds me of a chain reaction effect or a ‘virus infection’ look, obviously motion graphics style!
How It’s Made
The main element for this particular effect is Particular, pun intended. By attaching Particular to a Light Emitter and animating the position of the light, I was able to drive the particles in a very fast and fluid motion. By cranking up the Fractal Field amount, I was able to displace and randomize the position and path of my particle stream.
Now the flow of the particles are there to just drive the path of the flames. As you can see, we have a ‘main flame streak’ which are the normal main particles that are following the light. The actual ‘flame’ part (the darker filler areas that actually look somewhat like flames) that emits from the moving ‘streak’ are aux. particles (particles that are emitted from the main particles).
Finishing Touches
Once we have all the particles setup, slapping on a Vector Blur will blend and ‘vectorize’ the particles into a flame looking shape. To colorize the flames, I dropped in Trapcode Shine, adjusted the colors, and cranked the boost light up and rays down to zero. Finally, I added another Particular layer for the flying sparks which were also attached to the Light Emitter. Adding some motion blur, glows, and color correction really sells the effect and blends all the movements and elements together.
Now the results don’t look 100% realistic, it’s more of a mograph/animation style look. You can actually create some pretty cool looking flames using After Effects’ built in tools too. While you’re at it, add some heat waves to your shots! If you guys have any questions or comments, feel free to post them down below.
Music: Movement Proposition by Kevin MacLeod
looks really slick, i dig it. was the entire animation inside a 1280×720 comp or did you precomp a larger comp into 1280×720?
Thanks buddy! The whole thing was in a 720p comp, no scaling
Hey VinhSon,
Awesome stuff! All your work and tips are superb and helpful. This too is amazing! Please share how you did it, please. Am a n00b!
Thanks!
Hey man, thanks for the kind words! That’s the goal for these quick render posts, trying to spark some info for a quick read
Just play around with CC Vector Blur and Particular, it’s actually fairly easy!
Hi all ^^
Wow amazing work Vinhson, so beautiful too ^^ Unreal effects
Thx for sharing ur work as ever !
Anytime man, thanks for enjoying my work!
Hi Vinhson,
I really admire your work in After Effects and watching your tutorials has really taught me how to create awesome things.
If you have time to glance at my channel thumbnails, you’ll see that I’ve tried to replicate your work as best as I can. Hope you don’t mind me doing this, I shall give credit where necessary.
Thanks for your hard work!
I just loved this Mr. Vinhson.
Please Please make tutorial on this …
I know you’re quite busy person…
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEEE make Tutorial ;(