-
Why do You use Solid Layers for effects ?
Hi there.
Been watching the very good After Effects basics tutorials series by Andrew Devis and see him use Solid Layers for creating effects, such as Lightning and others.
Why is it, that we use a solid layer for this, instead of just adding the effects on the initial layer ?
Is it for keeping things more simple and organized or is it for other reasons ?
Enjoying my AE learnings a lot, with good help from this forum 🙂
Ola
-
5 Replies
-
Sometimes there isn’t original footage to add effects to, so you need a solid.
Using solids when there is footage allows you to treat them like any other layer, giving you access to blend modes and layer properties, independently of the underlying footage.
Walter Soyka
Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
@keenlive | RenderBreak [blog] | Profile [LinkedIn] -
Of course, it depends on the effect, but…
For effects that create an overlay (like lightning) it is typically “better” to have the effect on its own layer (in my opinion) rather than “compositing on original” because it gives more control over the effect (blending modes, opacity, scale, position, etc.) and because if you change the affected layer for any reason, you don’t have to re-do the effect. Just a general flexibility thing.
I’m sure others have other reasons.
-
OK, Thanks for that 🙂
Ola
-
I see the point, thanks 🙂
Ola
-
Thanks You for Your info 🙂
Ola
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up