Bending objects/ videos in After Effects

[Nate Vander plas]

What exactly do you mean by “bend?” I assume you want to do some sort of warping- if so you don’t need a plug-in. Just use the mesh warp effect. It allows you to move handles around on a grid and the image/video layer “bends” along the curved lines. You can also try the liquify effect for more precise warping.

[Ryan Santos]

It

[Sam Young]

there’s CC Cylinder, under the perspective effects sub-group.

[Jason Jenkins]

Or you could auto-orient the images to always face the camera.

[Ryan Santos]

Thanks guys. I also animated video clips to make them follow a really curvy motion path. But what it does is only follow the path while maintaining its “card-like” appearance. I wanted the video clips NOT to maintain its card-like appearance but rather to conform to every curve of the path, so that the video would bend on a sharp curve and be flat on a straight path. The final video is actually a person in the middle of video clips that fly around him. Is that possible with the available effects in AE or should I get a plugin? Thanks!

[Steve Roberts]

Sorry, but the only plugin that might be able to fake that is Forge Freeform, which hasn’t been updated in years, if I recall.

You have to bite the bullet: this is a job for a 3D app such as Max, Cinema4D, Lightwave, Maya or the like. Motion graphics require 3D apps more and more: they’re not just for robots any more! 🙂

[Nate Vander plas]

Don’t give up yet! You may be able to use this technique:
Creating a 3D Filmstrip

[Nate Vander plas]

Sorry, I guess that method does require a plugin! At least you don’t have to use a 3D app if this works.

[Ryan Santos]

Thanks for the help I’ll give it a try.