-
Dot pattern animation – individual dot opacity control based on a gradient mask?
Hi all,
Hoping someone can help me with what I think should be a relatively straight forward animation project. I’m an intermediate AE user and somehow I think my brain is just freezing up.
Here’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve got a dot pattern (please see reference pic) that I’d like to animate each individual dot’s opacity based on a mask animation. I don’t want to do just a gradient mask transition, because that’s too simple. I want to make each dot ‘pop’ on as whatever shape I make animates over it.
A good example is when using a mask on CC Ball Action, which draws each ‘ball’ as you animate the mask over it. However, Ball Action doesn’t allow you to create an off-set row pattern like the one in my image, and I’d also like to see if the opacity can gradually fade in/out based on the feathering or the gradient/mask edge.
So, in summary, please reference my image and imagine the wave gradient mask I created controlling the opacity of each individual dot. Hope someone out there can help me!
Thanks,
G. -
4 Replies
-
See if this helps at all.
https://m.videocopilot.net/tutorials/3d_ball_dispersion/
Thats a mobile link from my phone. But basically its tutorial 103 “3D ball dispersion” on that site.
You should be able to get a few ideas from this tutorial to get you going in the right direction.
My Work:
https://www.morecompletefx.com -
I’ve attached an AE Project File (CS6 and CC versions included) in a ZIP package.
6384_particleplaygroundoffsetdots.zip
The AEP uses two Particle Playground layers to create a grid of dots that are offset on the x-axis, on alternate rows. The dots are from a precomp and are used as a custom particle by the PP layers.
Both PP layers are linked to a precomp (Opacity Map) which affects the opacity of the dots.
By changing the Opacity Map, different outcomes are possible in the PP layers.
HTH
RoRKIntensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations
Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
& Adobe After Effects CS6 ACE/ACI -
Once again you’ve opened my eyes to the possibilities of Particle Playground. I can imagine a ton of potential uses for this effect alone. Thanks Roland!
Erik Waluska
EAWmedia -
You may want to check out a tutorial I did a while back – https://library.creativecow.net/articles/kahlenberg_roland/shattering_world.php
Cheers
RoRKIntensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations
Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
& Adobe After Effects CS6 ACE/ACI
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up