UncleBenji1977
Well-known member
Does anyone know if you can achieve the DOF look through After Effects? Has anyone attempted anything. I need some steps if so. Thanks!
- Benji
- Benji
Selective blur for DOF
- Thread starter UncleBenji1977
- Start date
UncleBenji1977
Well-known member
I'm simply talking about having one subject in focus and everything behind it, out of focus. Any more thoughts?
Scottdvx100
Veteran
Is this one source image or are you creating a shot from multiple images?
If it's one image (shot from DV, etc) then you'll need to isolate areas of the shot and selectively appply some type of blur. (rotoscope or key)
If it's on different layers you can use blurs on the layers or take advantage of AE 3D aspects.
If it's one image (shot from DV, etc) then you'll need to isolate areas of the shot and selectively appply some type of blur. (rotoscope or key)
If it's on different layers you can use blurs on the layers or take advantage of AE 3D aspects.
UncleBenji1977
Well-known member
This one source image. And I would need someone to walk me through some of those ideas. What can I do with the 3d aspects?
Scottdvx100
Veteran
Simplest way is to select the area that you want to go soft and apply a blur.
Create 2 layers of the same clip. Select the top layer and use the roto/pen tools in AE to create a shape around the FG items. Appply a blur to the bottom layer.
Create 2 layers of the same clip. Select the top layer and use the roto/pen tools in AE to create a shape around the FG items. Appply a blur to the bottom layer.
UncleBenji1977
Well-known member
I'll try this when I have some time. Thanks for the advice!
UncleBenji1977
Well-known member
I still don't understand this. I can't figure out how do this in any of these forms. I can't get my Depth of Field effect to work. It's in my 3d folder....If anyone could give me a step by step tutorial on using this feature, I'd appreciate it!
Matt Grunau
Adobe Demigod
Benji
What you are doing is simple.
First, import you video clip and create a composition for the length of the clip.
Second, drag the clip down into the timeline.
Third, drag the clip downlinto the timeline again, so there are two of them, on directly on top of the other. you will be working with these two "layers".
Fourth, "hide" the top layer by clicking off the little eye all the way to the left of the clip in the timeline.
Fifth, select the bottom layer and apply a blur from the effects menu. pick any one you want, whatever value you want, as this is just getting you aquainted with the process.
Sixth, unide the top layer. You will see your blurred layer dissapear. It didn't actually disappear, it's just the top layer is showing at 100% opacity and that's all you will see.
Seventh, take the pen toon and draw a shape, like a box on the top layer. Make sure when you draw your box you click the pen tool on the first point you created, makeing this a closed curve. You will see the blurred layer appear around the box shape. You have just created a mask. you can move the mask points by keyframing them, and under the top layer, if you twirl down the little triangle you will see a "Mask" section. if you look in that, you will see different things you can do to the mask. play with mask expansion, feather, and others if you wish to get an idea that you want. Remember, ANYTHING that has a litttle stop watch looking icon next to it can be keyframed and therefore animated. Try clicking the stopwatch next to Expansion and go a few seconds down the timeline. then alter the value, increase it or decrease it. Notice here a new keyframe is automatically created by after effects. It knows you have changed values, so it creates a keyframe for you.
lastly, hit the "0" on your numeric keypad to begin a ram preview. you will see the mask contrack or expand over time, to the values you set.
This is the basis for that you are wanting to do. Create masks around objects in the forground "top layer" revealing the blurred layer underneath. if the camera moves, you will have to keyframe the movement of each mask to follow the action. Yes it can get tedius.
That should get you started.
What you are doing is simple.
First, import you video clip and create a composition for the length of the clip.
Second, drag the clip down into the timeline.
Third, drag the clip downlinto the timeline again, so there are two of them, on directly on top of the other. you will be working with these two "layers".
Fourth, "hide" the top layer by clicking off the little eye all the way to the left of the clip in the timeline.
Fifth, select the bottom layer and apply a blur from the effects menu. pick any one you want, whatever value you want, as this is just getting you aquainted with the process.
Sixth, unide the top layer. You will see your blurred layer dissapear. It didn't actually disappear, it's just the top layer is showing at 100% opacity and that's all you will see.
Seventh, take the pen toon and draw a shape, like a box on the top layer. Make sure when you draw your box you click the pen tool on the first point you created, makeing this a closed curve. You will see the blurred layer appear around the box shape. You have just created a mask. you can move the mask points by keyframing them, and under the top layer, if you twirl down the little triangle you will see a "Mask" section. if you look in that, you will see different things you can do to the mask. play with mask expansion, feather, and others if you wish to get an idea that you want. Remember, ANYTHING that has a litttle stop watch looking icon next to it can be keyframed and therefore animated. Try clicking the stopwatch next to Expansion and go a few seconds down the timeline. then alter the value, increase it or decrease it. Notice here a new keyframe is automatically created by after effects. It knows you have changed values, so it creates a keyframe for you.
lastly, hit the "0" on your numeric keypad to begin a ram preview. you will see the mask contrack or expand over time, to the values you set.
This is the basis for that you are wanting to do. Create masks around objects in the forground "top layer" revealing the blurred layer underneath. if the camera moves, you will have to keyframe the movement of each mask to follow the action. Yes it can get tedius.
That should get you started.
UncleBenji1977
Well-known member
That's what I needed. Thanks a lot. I understood perfectly. But has anyone utilized the depth of field effect in the 3d effects menu?
Thanks again Rapier! Just trying to learn about all my tools. =)
Thanks again Rapier! Just trying to learn about all my tools. =)
Matt Grunau
Adobe Demigod
UncleBenji1977 said:
Yes, but that is not a true depth of field on one layer type blur. That uses many layers spaced differently along the z axis and adding a camera which will acieve the look. many layers though, not just a piece of video that you can simulate depth.
UncleBenji1977
Well-known member
I see... Sounds complicated... =) Oh well.... Thanks again!