Motion Graphics and Compositing/Project 4
2/1/2025-1/12/2025
Cai Zihan / 0378043
Motion Graphics and Compositing / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 4– ABSTRACT MOTION
INSTRUCTIONS
Project 4– ABSTRACT MOTION
I found some vector graphics online to use as my source material.
I'll first place the vector graphic into Photoshop.
First, I open Photoshop and create or open the target document. Next, I drag the vector file directly from File Explorer into the PS window. In the dialog box that appears, I select “Import as Smart Object” to ensure the vector properties remain intact. Finally, I click “OK,” and the vector graphic appears on the canvas as a smart object, supporting lossless scaling operations.
Importing PSD Files into After Effects
First, I open After Effects and create a new project or open an existing composition. Then, I import the PSD file using any of the following methods: Press Ctrl+I to open the Import dialog box. In the “Import Options” dialog that appears, I select the appropriate import method based on my needs: Choose “Composition - Keep Layer Size.” This method preserves the layer structure and original dimensions from Photoshop, making it easier to animate individual layers independently later. After confirming the import method, click “OK.” The PSD file will then be imported into the AE Project panel according to the selected settings. Finally, drag the imported composition or individual layers onto the Timeline for animation work. This preserves vector properties completely, ensuring no distortion occurs when scaling the image.
Then create dynamic effects with the text.
To animate vector graphics for the game’s UI elements and promotional materials, I follow these specific steps:
1. Import Vector AssetsI open AE and press Ctrl+I (Win) or Cmd+I (Mac) to import vector files in AI or EPS format. In the import dialog box, I select Footage, then check the options Editable Layer Styles and Merge Layers—if I need to edit each part of the vector separately, I uncheck Merge Layers instead. After clicking confirm, the imported vector graphics retain their scalable, distortion-free properties.
2. Create Basic Keyframe Animations (Position/Scale/Rotation)This is the most commonly used method for animating vector graphics, perfect for making game UI effects and character icon micro-animations.
◦ I select the vector layer in the timeline and use the corresponding shortcuts to bring up its properties.
◦ For Position (P): I click the stopwatch icon next to the property at the start frame to set a keyframe. Then I move the time indicator to the target frame, drag the vector graphic to a new position, and AE automatically generates a second keyframe to achieve smooth movement.
◦ For Scale (S): I set keyframes and adjust the scale values—for example, changing from 0% to 100% to create a fade-in and zoom effect, or from 100% to 110% and back to 100% for a breathing animation.
◦ For Rotation (R): I modify the degree values, like setting a range from 0° to 360° for a self-rotation effect, and press F9 to apply easing to make the rotation more fluid.
◦ I select all keyframes and press F9 to apply easing, which prevents the animation from looking stiff and choppy.
Word-by-word reveal effect
• Select the text layer, click the “Animations” menu → “Text Animations” → “Opacity” Adobe Help Center
• Expand “Animation 1” in the Timeline and set “Opacity” to 0% Adobe Help Center
• Expand “Range Selector 1” and keyframe the “Start” property at 0 seconds (value 0%) Adobe Help Center
• Change the “Start” value to 100% at 1 second to achieve a word-by-word fade-in
Feedback
Week 12，I showed my teacher my assignment, and he gave me some suggestions. He had me watch a few videos on YouTube about incorporating transitions when writing stories.
https://youtu.be/EFXdwpU7u-c?si=E8UaWxfZ9v_b7Pbp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x75U5PgY72s
The professor asked me to learn some of the abstract movements in these videos and incorporate them into my assignment.
Then I learned online how to create liquid transition effects.
Some references and learning materials：
http://xhslink.com/o/6Uvnhg9MxdM
http://xhslink.com/o/5DvNB2spiLB
https://itunes.apple.com/cn/app/id741292507?l=en&mt=8
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Learn and create transition animations |
I've added some new content to my videos.
I learned how to make objects disappear.
First, I select the footage I want to apply the dissipation effect to, right-click to create a pre-composition, and name it “Dissipating Object” for easier workflow later. Next, I'll select this preset composition and add the “Effects > Noise & Grain > Fractal Noise” effect. I'll set the Contrast to 150-200, Brightness to -50, Scale to 50, and Complexity to 3. This generates a black-and-white blocky texture to fragment the object. Then add the “Effects > Channels > Set Mask” effect. Set “Get Mask from Layer” to ‘Self’ and “Mask Channel” to “Luminance” to have the noise slice the object into fragments.
Next, I add the “Effects > Distort > Disruptive Displacement” effect to the pre-composition to animate the scattering fragments. I set a keyframe at the start of the dissipation, adjusting the displacement amount from 0 to 50 to increase the scattering amplitude over time.
Finally, I press T to open the pre-composite's opacity property. I set the opacity to 100% at the start of the dissipation and adjust it to 0% by the end, achieving a fade-out effect through keyframing. To achieve a sequential disappearance effect for the fragments, I keyframe the evolution property of the fractal noise. Adjusting the parameter from 0 to 100, the dynamic changes in the noise texture gradually dissipate the fragments.
Text printer effect：
First, prepare the text layer: input the complete text and adjust the style. Next, expand the text dropdown menu, select animation effects, add an opacity property, and set it to 0%. The system will automatically generate a range selector. Next, set up keyframe animation: At frame 0, set the range selector's offset value to 100% to make the text fully transparent, and add a keyframe here. Then, in the range selector's advanced settings, set the smoothness to 0 to ensure sharp character edges without gradient transitions.
In Task 4, our teacher asked us to create a video with a theme of our choice. After reviewing the work of our seniors, I noticed some focused on abstract movement, others on storytelling, and some even made videos based on speeches. After much consideration about what theme to choose, I ultimately decided to create a video about protecting the marine environment.
I first created a simple storyboard for my teacher to review. She suggested incorporating some abstract motion into the video and provided examples for reference. After that, I continued refining my video, adding transition animations and enriching the narrative.
This task consolidates what I learned in Tasks 1-3 and introduces new concepts: text animations and liquid transition effects.
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