Working with Particle Simulations

In this chapter, we will look into particle simulations. Particle simulations are a powerful visual effects technique used to create and add dynamic, captivating simulations to motion graphics and video projects.

Particle simulations involve the creation and manipulation of small, individual elements (particles) that collectively form complex simulations when animated and affected by various forces. These particles can represent anything from dust and debris to abstract shapes and objects. Particle simulations allow motion graphics artists and visual effects professionals to generate a wide range of effects, from natural phenomena such as rain, fire, and smoke to fantastical elements such as magical sparks or exploding text.

These are the main topics we’ll cover in the chapter:

• Working with the Foam effect
• Working with the Rainfall effect
• Working with CC Particle Systems II

Technical requirements

The lesson files for this chapter can be found in the Chapter 10 folder at https://packt.link/gbz/9781804617281.

Before starting the chapter, it is beneficial to preview the final output and end project file provided with the Chapter 10 | lesson 10 exercise files. By doing so, you will gain a clear understanding of the desired outcome and have a visual representation of what you will be working toward throughout the chapter.

Previewing the final output allows you to see the completed project, demonstrating how the various elements, effects, and animations come together. You can observe the overall look and feel, the arrangement of different components, and how they interact with each other. This preview serves as a reference point, giving you a target to aim for as you progress through the chapter.

Opening up the project

For this chapter, open the given project in the exercise files as follows:

1. Open After Effects.
2. To open the project, click on Open Project in the After Effects startup window. Alternatively, you can go to File | Open Project... in the menu bar.
3. In the file browser, locate the Lesson10_start.aep project file in the Chapter 10 folder of the exercise files.

Figure 10.1: Lesson10_start project with default workspace

The project has two compositions, which we will use to learn about particle simulations. Keep the project open for the rest of the topics of this chapter.

Using the Foam effect to create a snow effect

The Foam effect is a versatile tool that can be used to create a variety of different effects. It is a particle effect, which means that it creates a simulation of individual particles that interact with each other and with the environment.

We will be using the Foam effect to create a snowflake effect in video footage.

Follow these steps to use the Foam effect:

1. Locate the Snow Effect composition in the Project panel, and double-click to open it in the timeline.

   The Snow Effect composition contains two layers: Snow city.mp4 and snowflake.png. The snowflake.png image will be used as a texture for the particles in the Foam effect to create falling snowflakes from top to bottom.

2. Right-click in the Snow Effect composition, and then go to the New | Solid... option.
3. In the Solid Settings dialog box, change Name to Snow Foam and Color to black (#00000) and click OK:

Figure 10.2: New settings for...

Creating rain and drizzle simulations

Now we will create the rain and drizzle simulations using After Effects effects in the War Scene composition to give it an animated image effect by adding those simulations.

Adding the rain simulation

First, we will add the rain simulation using the CC Rainfall effect of After Effects. Follow these steps to create the effect:

1. Locate the War Scene composition in the Project panel and double-click to open it in the timeline.
2. Select the War_Image.png layer in the War Scene composition, go to the Effect menu, and select Simulation | CC Rainfall.
3. Change the settings of the CC Rainfall effect in Effect Controls as follows:
   • Drops: 50
   • Size: 6.00
   • Speed: 1000
   • Wind: 160.0
   • Variation % (Wind): 10.0
   • Opacity: 100

   Figure 10.9 shows all these updated settings:

Figure 10.9: CC Rainfall effect settings applied to the war_image.png layer in the War Scene composition

We have used the CC Rainfall effect, which allows...

Creating fire and smoke simulations

Let’s add fire and smoke simulations in the War Scene composition using CC Particle System II. CC Particle Systems II is a powerful tool that can be used to create a wide variety of effects. It is also relatively easy to use due to its simple settings and pre-built presets, and you get immediate visual feedback.

Adding a smoke simulation

First, we will add a smoke simulation using CC Particle Systems II effects in After Effects.

Follow these steps to create a smoke simulation:

1. Right-click in the War Scene composition, then go to the New | Solid... option.
2. In the Solid Settings dialog box, change Name to Smoke and Color to # 000000 and click OK.
3. Keep the Smoke layer selected, go to the Effect menu, and select Simulation | CC Particle Systems II.
4. In the Effect Controls panel, reveal the Producer settings of CC Particle Systems II. Producer refers to an element or component that generates or emits particles.
5. Change...

Summary

In this chapter, we learned how to use simulation effects in After Effects. Particle simulations in After Effects are a versatile tool for adding dynamic, eye-catching visual effects to motion graphics and video projects. With the right knowledge and creativity, users can create stunning animations that bring their ideas to life – from realistic natural phenomena to imaginative and surreal visuals.

Additionally, the chapter covered techniques to add extra effects such as CC Vector Blur and Glow to improve the visualization of the Fire effect, and using the layer blend mode to overlay and blend layers with the background.

In the next chapter, we will learn how to track perspective and single-point tracking using 2D tracking features and track footage original camera movement with 3D tracking to composite graphics and text into the tracked footage.