Glow Stroke Effect #tutorial #motiondesign #aftereffects

Introduction

Today, I'm going to show you how to create a stunning glow effect on a mask layer using a plug-in from Video Copilot. If you have an animation or any project in Adobe After Effects, this technique will give it an extra flair. I'll walk you through the steps using a previously created mask path.

Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing Your Project

1. Open Your Animation

   • Use an existing animation or create a new one in After Effects. I am using an animation I created for another tutorial.

2. Create a Solid Layer

   • Press Ctrl + Y (Windows) or Cmd + Y (Mac) to create a solid layer.
   • Name this layer something relevant, like "Glow Effect".

Applying Masks to Solid Layer

3. Copy and Paste the Masks
   • Find the mask path you wish to use.
   • Copy the mask path (select the mask path in the timeline and press Ctrl + C or Cmd + C).
   • Paste the mask path onto your new solid layer (Ctrl + V or Cmd + V).

Installing and Using the Saber Plug-in

4. Install Saber Plug-in

   • Ensure you have the Saber plug-in from Video Copilot installed.
   • Go to Effects & Presets, search for "Saber", and drag the effect onto your solid layer.

5. Customize the Saber Effect

   • Go to the effect controls panel.
   • Under Core Type, change it from "Saber" to "Layer Mask" for it to follow the mask path.
   • Adjust the Glow Intensity to around 10 to suit your preference.

Fine-Tuning the Effect

6. Adjusting Colors and Animations

   • Change the colors if desired by modifying the color settings in the Saber effect controls.
   • To animate the glow, adjust the offsets. Set a beginning keyframe at 0%. Move forward in the timeline and set another keyframe at 100%.

7. Adding Flicker Effects

   • Under the Saber effect settings, locate the Flicker options.
   • Set the Flicker Intensity to around 50 to add a dynamic flicker effect to your glow.

Final Thoughts

With the Saber plug-in, there are multiple parameters you can tweak for customization. Feel free to experiment with different settings to match your animation style. Thanks for following along, and make sure to subscribe for more tutorials!

Keywords

• Adobe After Effects
• Animation
• Glow Effect
• Mask Layer
• Saber Plug-in
• Video Copilot
• Motion Design

FAQ

Q1: What software do I need for this tutorial?

• You need Adobe After Effects and the Saber plug-in from Video Copilot.

Q2: Where can I get the Saber plug-in?

• You can download the Saber plug-in from the Video Copilot website.

Q3: Can I use any mask path for this effect?

• Yes, you can apply the glow effect to any mask path you have created.

Q4: How can I change the glow color?

• In the Saber effect settings, you can customize the color by changing the color parameters.

Q5: What should I do if the glow is too intense?

• You can lower the Glow Intensity value in the Saber effect settings to reduce the brightness.

Q6: Is it necessary to animate the offsets?

• No, animating the offsets is optional but can add a dynamic effect to your glow.

Q7: Are there other effects similar to Saber for creating glows?

• Yes, there are various plug-ins and native After Effects options to create glow effects, but Saber is specifically designed for intricate and customizable glow effects.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further assistance!