Heat Wave effect

[Michael Munkittrick]

Begin by creating a slightly larger comp than your master composition and use the fractal noise set to a soft cloud-like structure. Then use a directional blur set to a low number to add an artificial length to that comp. Import it as a pre-comp into your comp that requires the motion and set the displacement map effect on your image using the lightness and luminance to control the displacement. To add a bit more realism you can use a feathered mask of the original video with the applied effect over your image so that the edges of the “haze” thins as it might in nature.

There are also a few different particle effects that can be used to create a very effective heat haze, not to mention the numerous plugin solutions specifically designed to do just this effect.

Michael Munkittrick
Managing Creative Director
Evolve Media Solutions

Forum COWmunity leader for:
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[Yoondo]

You can use the mirage filter if you can find it.
Much simpler.

[Eric Kirk]

Hello,

This is a bit old here. Does anyone know of a technique to create a heat wave look like out on a hot desert road?

Appreciate it.

Thanks,

Eric

Eric D. Kirk
http://www.kirkproductions.com