• Adobe After Effects

  Creating a classic poof/explosion

  Posted by Malcolm Desoto on September 5, 2008 at 4:01 am

  I want to create a classic poof explosion as seen in this skittles commercial.

  Should I just film the smoke plume in front of a green screen and then insert it over the cut?

  “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” –Albert Einstein

  Larry S. evans ii replied 17 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Kim Segel

  September 5, 2008 at 9:51 am

  I realize this is an AE forum, but rather than shooting live pyro you can get a pretty similar look with Combustion’s particle systems using a prebuilt in:

  Library: “Smoke”
  Preset: “Shoot Smoke”

  Once you’ve shot the pyro plate you’re stuck with what you get. With the particle systems you can dial it in to perfection!

  Good luck…

  Kim S

  A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

  –Emo Philips
• 

  Malcolm Desoto

  September 5, 2008 at 2:38 pm

  Thanks. Unfortunately I do not have access to Combustion.

  “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” –Albert Einstein
• 

  Larry S. evans ii

  September 5, 2008 at 8:00 pm

  That “poof” is generally obtained from ignitig a phosporous squib, which can be obtained at magician and theatrical supply stores. Depending on where you are located, however, there may be limits on what you can buy because it is dangerous, poisonous, and explosive, and may not be obtainable without the proper license.

  If you do succeed in getting hold of it, I would recommend shooting against a black screen, something like velvet or velour that will not create artifacts from the flash. This will give you a cleaner comp than greenscreen.

  After Effects has it’s own particle toolkits; while they may not be as robust as Combustions, they can with some tweaking provide serviceable explosions.

  Alternatively, you might take a look at detonationfilms.com. They have a number of these kinds of effects available for free download (the server can be very slow) as well as other pyro available on DVD at a modest fee (under $20 plus shipping). I’ve used them in various projects because of the safety and liability issues involving real explosives, and depending on the shot they are quite acceptable.

  Larry S. Evans II
  Executive Producer
  Digital I Productions

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