[Graham Quince]

Looking at the expression, I think what you’re after is to adjust the X scale, but not the Y scake. Mike used a little bit of a shortcut, which I think is the source of your confusion. If I rewrite the expression, it might be clearer:


x = thisComp.layer("Gradient").sampleImage(transform.position, [.5,.5]/2, true, time)[0];
y = x;
100*[x,y];


If you only want the X scale to be adjust and have y be a fixed scale:


x = thisComp.layer("Gradient").sampleImage(transform.position, [.5,.5]/2, true, time)[0];
y = value[1];
100*[x,y];


This picks up the current . user specified value for Y, but leaves X to be whatever you want. Now Mike has also used a 100*[x,x] in his expression, which might be easier to write as:


x = thisComp.layer("Gradient").sampleImage(transform.position, [.5,.5]/2, true, time)[0]*100;
y = value[1];
[x,y];


This way you’ll only be multiplying X by 100 and leaving Y to the value you set.

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

I’d use masks to isolate just the arm section, then apply a stronger key (maybe conbined with the simple choker) to get rid of the white spots.

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

I like Pseudo Effects because it keeps the expressions controls tidy – but it is an unnecessary step.

Here’s the effects control panel for a preset I have saved to get cards to slide out in my comps:

Here’s one that I built using Pseudo Effects maker for an arrow preset:

What it’s doing is combining all the expression controls into a single section(?) / effect (?).

So far, I’ve been getting my effect ready using Expression controls. When I’m happy with the look, I’ll open Pseudo Effects Maker (which is in Windows > Extensions (extensions.png) – which i do find confusing. Then I clear out the existing controls on the left, add in the expression controls I’ve been using and then use the Save / Apply options in the top-right burger menu to add the effect.

What I’m not clear on is whether you have to keep the original effect on its own, or if when you save your final preset it also saves.

It’s a tool that makes things neater – with 10 minute learning curve, but you don’t need it.

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

I only have Particular, but there are turbulence settings in that which I think are also in Form. You can set frequency and displacement amounts.

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

The rotobrush! Of course, I knew I recognised the Zoom look. Nice catch

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

Did you draw the shape in After Effects or did you import two images?

If it’s that you used paths / masks / shape layers to draw the image, then you can animate these using the stopwatch option next to the Path property.

If it’s that you imported two images, you can draw masks around your shapes (check out the auto-trace feature as this might do it for you) then copy each mask onto the other shape and use the Reshape effect to morph between the two.

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/after-effects/using/distort-effects.html#reshape_effect

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

A difference matte’s glitches would actually render a pretty similar result to Zoom. I have to have a lot of meetings using it and the virtual backgrounds are always distracting 😀

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

This tutorial here at the Cow is a little old, but covers what you’re after I think: https://library.creativecow.net/articles/eriksson_emanuel/sand.php

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

You’re right you should be able to scale up the movement, but you first have to separate the X and Y values.

Something like:

X = pickwhipvalue[0];
Y = pickwhipvalue[1];
[X*2,Y*1.5];

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials

[Graham Quince]

My guess would be my current favourite extension for After Effects. It’s called Pseudo Effect Maker by Batchframe: https://aescripts.com/pseudo-effect-maker/

It only cost $18 and you can have great fun making presets with it.

http://www.YouTube.com/ShiveringCactus – After Effects Tutorials