Create fireworks using JUST CS4

[Brian Charles]

https://www.adobe.com/designcenter/aftereffects/articles/aftcs3it_fireworkseffect_02.html

Add glows (several) and layer the fireworks. You can also achieve a 3D firework using CC Particle World and applying a similar technique.

[David Bogie]

Brian, cool link, thanks for digging that one up.

I use CC Particles often. To get a more realistic (yet stylized) firework burst, you may want to work in a 60 fps comp so you can add some forced motion blur, time remapping , echo, or Time Blend FX to give the trails some persistence. Sixty or more frames will give you lots of flexibility with prerendered movies.

How much effort you put into this is up to you but creating one movie that gives you a central burst and trails of one color and anther that gives you a secondary burst of peripheral shells can really add some class. Subsequent aerial shells will illuminate residual smoke left by previous explosions.

Also, try to find some real firework clips so you have an accurate model to chase. Good luck and maybe you could tell us how yo made out.

bogiesan

[David Bogie]

And if you’re the adventurous type, you can make the trail of the mortar or rocket by animating the producer along a path and letting sparks fall to the ground, sort of.
And if you know how to Particle World, you can actually move the producer around in 3D space and program a delay on the burst of particles and, of course, you have a wider selection of particle types including custom.

bogiesan

[Brian Charles]

Dave, very good tips. I’m going to try the frame rate increase.

[Tim Boknecht]

YEP! That’s exactly what I was looking for. A million thanks, and may something completely pleasant and unexpected come to you today!

Namaste,
TB

[Tim Boknecht]

Wow…If I had more time, I’d totally try this. Thanks for the help!

Tim Boknecht
Promo Writer/Producer
KAKE-TV