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Activity Forums Adobe After Effects Best way to leave a trail?

  • Best way to leave a trail?

    Posted by Ocean Byrne on November 11, 2019 at 7:53 am

    I am moving some dots around my screen in rather complex paths, and I want them to leave a trail behind them, with occasional HL points at special places along the trail. I’ve don it just by animating one dot, in a pre comp and then putting an echo on the layer and it works great, except this ends up being a 3000 frame long thing and render times are hurting by the end of it.

    Any suggestions on better ways to draw on complex trails, behind a separate moving object?

    On a related but different note, tips on leaving a trail that tapers off in size? Like a cone shaped wind sock that follows your leader…

    Thanks

    Humble Pixel Farmer

    Ocean Byrne replied 6 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Jason Ayre

    November 12, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    Best way would be with a particle system. Trapcode particular can do this, I haven’t messed with CC Particle world, so not sure if it can or not

  • Max Allen

    November 12, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Particular would be the best way to do this, but if you’re just working in 2D space you could probably use the CC Mr Mercury effect, which I’ve had great success with for a few projects. See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6TjMSrXkl8

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  • Ocean Byrne

    November 15, 2019 at 10:53 am

    Thanks guys!

    Humble Pixel Farmer

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