[Ryan Penny]

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the reply! I like your method, I guess I was wondering if there was another way to do basically the same thing that would allow you to use smaller bits of the “master clip” without having to save them off as separate files, but it sounds like you’re saying that’s the best way to work with them. I’ll try it out, thanks!

[Ryan Penny]

I got it! As Mato suggested, I used two masks on a white solid layer (to use as my luma matte) and got the comet to taper, then put a layer with a ramp underneath to get the color right. Someone at work also showed me a method of using a null object with a particle system (on another layer) parented to it that also gives the same kind of effect (but even cooler). A little clunkier than Motion, but saving this as a template should work for us. Thanks for your help guys.

[Ryan Penny]

Thanks guys, I was hoping I could do it inside AE since it’s relatively easy in Motion, but I can’t seem to figure out how to draw that kind of shape inside AE. I haven’t really used Illustrator much at all but after trying it, I don’t think I can import video (Need the reference of where the arc of the ball is). Is there any way to draw a line and then “pinch” one side (to make the point) and stretch the other (to make the rounded comet tip)?

We use this element at least once a day and once we make the switch from FCP/Motion to Adobe I’d like to figure out a solution. I’m gonna keep trying to find a way to draw it in AE but if anyone knows a quicker/more elegant way I’d love to hear it. Thanks for your help.

[Ryan Penny]

Thanks for the reply, but I’m really looking for a non-plugin solution. I’m trying to do this at work and we don’t use the Trapcode plugins. Any other ideas? I was thinking I may be able to use another program in the Suite, like Photoshop or Illustrator and then reveal it in AE with a mask, but I can’t seem to figure out how to create the “comet” shape (pointy on end and bigger/rounded at the other end).

[Ryan Penny]

Palm, meet forehead. Thanks Stephen. I was overthinking it. I still find it pretty easy to get lost in 3d space, but with your tip and some practice, I should be able to make it a little easier. Thanks.

[Ryan Penny]

Thanks Stephen,
I hadn’t seen that one before. Definitely helps solidify how Frame Object works. I’m actually stuck at the step before that, laying out all my objects in the 3d space. All the tutorials I’ve seen start out with these perfectly laid out 3d scenes, I’d love to see how they were created. Thanks for your help.

[Ryan Penny]

Scratch that. Using Edit>Define Pattern is WAYYYYY easier. 🙂