I just want to do some simple movie editing, being inspired by a friends light sabre clip with After effects I want to make myself holding a single animated flame and move it with my finger. How would I do this (I would perfere to do it with after effects so I can just borrow his laptop but if it's not easy in AE, anything else would do)
How would I make this (my first movie project)
- Thread starter hyphenex
- Start date
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
Hi Hyphen, welcome to DVXuser!
AE is the tool for the job, I'd sugest posting in the AfterEffects area for faster anwsers. - Also ask your friend about it!
- Mikko
AE is the tool for the job, I'd sugest posting in the AfterEffects area for faster anwsers. - Also ask your friend about it!
- Mikko
Jay Rodriguez
Coffee Member
yup, nothing better then a personal tutor like a friend
Rick Meyer
Veteran
SHAKE would be a good program for this too. But, if you have access to AE, then go with that. How are you going to get the elements? i.e. the flame?
Andrew Brinkhaus
Veteran
Check your friends software to see if he has a plugin called Trapcode Particular installed. If so, they have several preset flames that you can keyframe and position as needed. If not, I belive AE itself has a flame effect which you could modify to fit your needs.
Matt Grunau
Adobe Demigod
Hi hyphenex, welcome to DVXuser. There are several software solutions to choose from, some better than others for compositing and generating fire.
Some of the contenders:
After Effecs
Digital Fusion
Combustion
Shake/Inferno
Particle Illusion
There are also 3D options as well.
When you say you want to have a simple flame and "move it with my finger", do you mean you want your finger to influence the shape of the flame, or you want the flame to sit on your finger as you move your finger about?
Either way, you will need to motion track your hand/finger, and give that track data to your flame animation, whether you have a real flame element or a CG created one. If you want your finger to influence/warp the shape of the flame, you will be looking at displacement maps or warping filers.
A real flame element would look the best since it is real, and no software (3D, CG or otherwise) produces true photorealistic fire. (I realize this is going to get me into trouble with some CG enthusiasts, but it's true none the less). Also, for someone just starting, learning additional software/plugins (especially particle systems) would be a lot to do to produce your first elements so you can learn compositing and produce your first project. It's just an extra step you dont need. But, particle systems do allow for greater dynamics, as you can control every aspect of them and make your flame behave exactly the way you want it, instead of relying on shot footage you hope will work.
That said, look online for some free stock flame footage, and begin there. You can always learn more. Start off simple, familarize yourself with software and begin to build your knowledge base.
Some of the contenders:
After Effecs
Digital Fusion
Combustion
Shake/Inferno
Particle Illusion
There are also 3D options as well.
When you say you want to have a simple flame and "move it with my finger", do you mean you want your finger to influence the shape of the flame, or you want the flame to sit on your finger as you move your finger about?
Either way, you will need to motion track your hand/finger, and give that track data to your flame animation, whether you have a real flame element or a CG created one. If you want your finger to influence/warp the shape of the flame, you will be looking at displacement maps or warping filers.
A real flame element would look the best since it is real, and no software (3D, CG or otherwise) produces true photorealistic fire. (I realize this is going to get me into trouble with some CG enthusiasts, but it's true none the less). Also, for someone just starting, learning additional software/plugins (especially particle systems) would be a lot to do to produce your first elements so you can learn compositing and produce your first project. It's just an extra step you dont need. But, particle systems do allow for greater dynamics, as you can control every aspect of them and make your flame behave exactly the way you want it, instead of relying on shot footage you hope will work.
That said, look online for some free stock flame footage, and begin there. You can always learn more. Start off simple, familarize yourself with software and begin to build your knowledge base.