Top FREE Effects in After Effects | Best Video Effects in After Effects

Maximize Your Creativity with These Top FREE Effects in After Effects

Adobe After Effects has always been the go-to software for anyone interested in motion graphics and visual effects.

It's a powerful tool, which comes loaded with numerous free built-in effects that can transform your projects, giving them a professional touch.

Today, we will explore some of these free effects, describing what they do and how they can enhance your projects.

1. Shift Channels Effect

This effect allows you to manipulate the color channels in an image. You can isolate a single color channel, create a grayscale image, or even generate a custom color channel.

Shift Channels is a highly useful, albeit often overlooked, effect in Adobe After Effects. It allows you to control and manipulate individual color channels (Red, Green, and Blue, plus Alpha) of a layer.

How to use the Shift Channel Effect:

  1. Applying the Effect: To apply the Shift Channels effect, first select the layer you want to work with. Then navigate to "Effect" > "Channel" > "Shift Channels."

  2. Understanding the Properties: The main parameters of Shift Channels include options for each of the color channels (Red, Green, Blue, and Alpha). For each channel, you can choose to 'take' information from any of the other channels, including the option to set a channel to "Full On" or "Full Off."

Use-Case Example:

A use case for the Shift Channels effect is in the creation of a custom chroma key. Suppose you're working with footage that has a distinct color in the background (like a green screen, but could be any color), and you want to make that color transparent.

  1. Isolate a Color: To do this, apply the Shift Channels effect to your footage. Then, for each of the Red, Green, and Blue channels, select which color you'd like to isolate. For instance, if you're dealing with a blue screen, you might choose to take Blue from the Blue channel and set Red and Green to "Full Off."

  2. Create Transparency: After isolating the color, the next step is to create transparency. You can do this by setting the "Take Alpha From" option to the color you isolated earlier. In this case, you'd select Blue.

  3. Fine-tuning: After applying the above steps, you may find that not all the background is completely transparent, or perhaps some parts of your subject have become transparent. You can fine-tune the effect by using additional effects like "Levels" or "Color Range."

Remember, while this use case involves isolating a color for chroma keying, the Shift Channels effect has many more uses. It can be applied creatively to produce stylized looks or to correct color issues in your footage.


2. Motion Tile Effect

This effect replicates and tiles your footage, which is useful for extending your video in any direction or creating a seamless looping background.

How To Use the Motion Tile Effect:

To apply the Motion Tile effect, you need to select the layer you want to adjust and then add the Motion Tile effect from the "Effect" menu, under "Stylize".

Once applied, you will find several parameters to control:

  1. Output Width & Output Height: These parameters allow you to increase or decrease the width and height of the tiling effect, essentially controlling how many times the image or video clip is repeated across the X and Y axes. A value of 100 means the original size; 200 would mean twice the width/height; and so forth.

  2. Tile Width & Tile Height: These parameters define the size of each individual tile. By default, it matches the dimensions of your original layer. If you change these parameters, the image or video within each tile will be scaled to fit.

  3. Tile Center: This allows you to adjust the center point of the tiling effect.

  4. Phase: This parameter animates the tiling to move in either direction along the X or Y axis. It's great for creating a scrolling background or a similar effect.

  5. Mirror Edges: This is a checkbox that, when checked, flips the alternate tiles for a more seamless look. This helps to disguise any obvious seams when your original layer has a hard edge that would normally make the tiling obvious.

Use-Case Example:

A common use case for the Motion Tile effect is to create a seamless, infinite scrolling background. Let's say you have a small, repeating background pattern that you want to animate to create a scrolling effect.

  1. Create a Scrolling Background: Apply the Motion Tile effect to your pattern layer. Increase the "Output Width" and "Output Height" to extend the pattern across your composition.

  2. Animate the Pattern: Now, you can animate your pattern layer. For a horizontal scroll, you might animate the layer's "Position" property, moving it horizontally across the frame.

  3. Maintain the Loop: But there's a problem: as soon as your pattern moves off one side of the frame, it disappears from the other. That's where Motion Tile comes in. With Motion Tile, as your pattern moves off one side of the frame, it's replicated on the other side, creating a perfect, infinite scroll.

  4. Refine the Effect: Use the other properties of Motion Tile to refine your effect. For instance, you might adjust "Tile Width" and "Tile Height" to change the size of your pattern.

Remember, this is just one use-case for Motion Tile. It can be used for many creative effects, from creating an echo-like trail behind a moving object to creating a kaleidoscopic pattern from a single layer.

The "Motion Tile" effect is commonly used in motion graphics to create complex repeating patterns, animated backgrounds, or to extend the edges of footage in a visually consistent way.


3. Remove Grain Effect

Remove Grain is an effect in Adobe After Effects used primarily for noise reduction and grain removal in video footage. It's particularly useful when dealing with high-ISO shots, low-light conditions, or older footage that contains a lot of noise.

How To Use Remove Grain Effect:

To use the Remove Grain effect, you need to select the layer containing the noisy footage and then add the Remove Grain effect from the "Effect" menu, under "Noise and Grain".

Once you apply the Remove Grain effect, you will find several parameters you can control:

  1. Viewing Mode: This lets you switch between viewing the final result, a preview of the noise reduction, or the various different stages of the noise removal process. 'Final Output' shows the result of the noise reduction, while 'Preview' gives a small square area where the noise reduction is applied, allowing for quicker previews when adjusting settings.

  2. Noise Reduction Settings: This includes parameters for Tuning, Noise Reduction, and Passes. Tuning allows you to fine-tune the effect for different types of noise, while Noise Reduction controls the amount of reduction, and Passes controls how many times the effect is applied.

  3. Fine Tuning: Here, you can adjust the Chroma Suppression, which reduces color noise, and also tweak how the effect treats different color channels.

  4. Temporal Filtering: This allows you to apply noise reduction across multiple frames, which can give better results, especially on moving footage. You can control how many frames are sampled, as well as the threshold for differences between frames.

Use-Case Example:

Suppose you've filmed an indoor scene under poor lighting conditions, and the footage has come out with a noticeable amount of digital noise or grain. Instead of reshooting, which may not be an option, you can use the Remove Grain effect in After Effects.

You would import the footage into After Effects, apply the Remove Grain effect, and start by choosing 'Preview' in Viewing Mode. Adjust the Noise Reduction Settings and Fine Tuning parameters until you're happy with how the grain looks in the preview square. After that, switch the Viewing Mode to 'Final Output' to apply these settings to the entire footage.

The Remove Grain effect can be resource-intensive and slow down your workflow, so it's recommended to use it sparingly and only when necessary. Also, remember to fine-tune the settings for each individual clip as noise characteristics can vary greatly from one footage to another.


4. Stroke Effect

This effect can be used to create an animated outline around your text or any vector-based image, adding a neat visual element to your projects.

The Stroke effect in Adobe After Effects is a powerful tool that can give a unique look to your compositions by outlining or filling the alpha channels (transparent areas) in your layers. It is typically used to animate the outlines of shapes, paths, and even text in a more customizable way than the standard options allow.

How To Use The Stroke Effect:

  1. Add the Effect: Select the layer you want to apply the stroke to, then go to "Effect" > "Generate" > "Stroke".

  2. Choose Your Path: If you want the stroke to follow a specific path, you'll need to use the pen tool to draw it on the layer before applying the Stroke effect. After applying the effect, select 'All Masks' or the specific mask you've drawn under the 'Path' menu.

  3. Customize the Stroke: The Stroke effect has several properties that you can tweak to get the look you want. These include:

    • Color: This changes the color of the stroke.
    • Brush Size: This adjusts the thickness of the stroke.
    • Brush Hardness: This controls the hardness or softness of the stroke's edges.
    • Opacity: This adjusts the transparency of the stroke.
    • Spacing: This determines the distance between dashes if you choose a dashed stroke.
    • Paint Style: Options include 'On Original Image', 'On Transparent', and 'Reveal Original Image'.

  4. Animate the Stroke: To animate the stroke, use the 'Start' and 'End' properties under the Stroke effect. These percentages represent the beginning and end of the stroke, respectively, along the selected path. Keyframe these properties to create an animation.

Use-Case Example:

Suppose you're creating an explainer video and want to animate a self-drawing line that guides the viewer's attention or illustrates a concept. Here's how you could do it using the Stroke effect:

  1. Create a Path: Use the Pen tool to draw the path you want the line to follow.
  2. Apply the Stroke Effect: Go to "Effect" > "Generate" > "Stroke", making sure the layer with your path is selected.
  3. Adjust Settings: Change the color, brush size, and brush hardness as desired. For this example, you might select 'On Transparent' as the Paint Style to make the line appear on its own, without the original image behind it.
  4. Animate: Keyframe the 'End' property to animate the line. Start with a keyframe at 0% at the beginning of your timeline, then move to a later time and set a keyframe at 100%. This will make the line appear to draw itself over time, following the path you've drawn.

This is just one example of what you can do with the Stroke effect. Its capabilities extend far beyond this, providing a versatile tool for motion graphics and visual effects within After Effects.


5. Glow Effect

This effect adds a soft luminescence to your footage. It can be used to create dreamy light effects, simulate practical lights, or even create stylized sci-fi visuals.

The Glow effect in Adobe After Effects is a powerful visual tool that can add brightness and a dreamy luminosity to your projects. It works by highlighting the brighter areas of your layer and adding a soft, radiant light to them. This effect is commonly used in music videos, sci-fi animations, or to emphasize particular elements in your composition.

How To Use The Glow Effect:

  1. Add the Effect: Select the layer you want to apply the glow to, then go to "Effect" > "Stylize" > "Glow".

  2. Customize the Glow: The Glow effect has several properties that you can tweak to get the look you want. These include:

    • Glow Threshold: This controls how bright an area of your layer needs to be for the glow to affect it. Lower values will make more areas of your layer glow.
    • Glow Radius: This determines how far the glow spreads out from the bright areas. Higher values result in a softer, more diffused glow.
    • Glow Intensity: This controls how bright the glow is. Higher values result in a stronger, more pronounced glow.
    • Glow Colors: This allows you to choose the color of the glow. Options include the original colors, A & B colors, which can be chosen in the effect settings, or using the color of a chosen layer.
    • Glow Operation: This dictates how the glow will interact with the layer. Options include 'Add', 'Screen', etc., each giving a slightly different result.

  3. Animate the Glow: If you want the glow to animate over time, you can keyframe any of the effect's properties. For example, you could keyframe the Glow Intensity to make the glow pulse.

Use-Case Example:

Suppose you're creating a promotional video for a music concert, and you want to emphasize the name of the band with a vibrant, pulsating glow. Here's how you could do it using the Glow effect:

  1. Create Text: Use the Text tool to create a text layer with the band's name.
  2. Apply the Glow Effect: Go to "Effect" > "Stylize" > "Glow", making sure the text layer is selected.
  3. Adjust Settings: Set the Glow Threshold, Glow Radius, and Glow Intensity to achieve the desired look. You might also want to change the Glow Colors to match the band's brand or the concert's theme.
  4. Animate: To make the glow pulse, set a keyframe for Glow Intensity at the beginning of your timeline with a lower value (e.g., 0.5), move a few frames forward and set a keyframe with a higher value (e.g., 2), and then repeat this process to create a pulsating glow effect.

Remember, the Glow effect is highly customizable, and by playing with the different parameters, you can achieve a wide variety of visual results.


6. Noise Effect

The Noise effect adds random pixels to your footage, which can be used to create a vintage, grainy look.

The Noise effect in Adobe After Effects is used to generate random static, which mimics the grain seen in film footage or the electronic noise seen in digital video. It's a simple but powerful tool that can help to give your videos a more organic or vintage look.

How To Use The Noise Effect:

  1. Add the Effect: Select the layer you want to apply the noise to, then go to "Effect" > "Noise & Grain" > "Noise".

  2. Adjust the Amount of Noise: Once you've added the Noise effect, you can control the amount of noise added to your layer using the 'Amount of Noise' parameter. The value represents a percentage, with higher values adding more noise.

  3. Choose Whether to Use Color Noise: By default, the Noise effect adds grayscale noise to your layer. If you want to add color noise instead, you can check the 'Use Color Noise' box.

Use-Case Example:

Suppose you're creating a video and you want to give it an old film look. The Noise effect could be a vital part of achieving this aesthetic.

Here's how you could use the Noise effect in this context:

  1. Apply the Noise Effect: Select the video layer you want to give the old film look to, then go to "Effect" > "Noise & Grain" > "Noise".
  2. Adjust the Amount of Noise: Set the 'Amount of Noise' to a value that gives you the desired level of grain. For an old film look, you might want to use a higher value to emulate the grainy quality of older film stocks.
  3. Use Color Noise: Check the 'Use Color Noise' box. Color noise can often be seen in older film footage, so this can help to make your video look more authentically vintage.
  4. Combine With Other Effects: To further enhance the old film look, you might want to combine the Noise effect with other effects. For example, you could use the 'Posterize Time' effect to lower the frame rate of your video, or the 'Sepia' effect to give your video an aged color tint.

By creatively combining the Noise effect with other tools in After Effects, you can create a wide variety of distinctive looks for your videos.


7. Echo Effect

Echo creates copies of your footage with specified delay and decay. It's great for creating trailing motion effects or surreal visuals.

The Echo effect in Adobe After Effects is used to create a series of repeated, or 'echoed', copies of a layer. Each echo is offset in time from the previous one, resulting in a trail of images similar to a motion blur or a multiple exposure effect in photography.

How To Use The Echo Effect:

  1. Apply the Echo Effect: Select the layer you want to apply the echo to, then go to "Effect" > "Time" > "Echo".

  2. Set Echo Time: In the 'Echo Time' field, set the time between echoes in seconds. A positive value creates echoes from previous frames, while a negative value creates echoes from subsequent frames.

  3. Adjust the Number of Echoes: In the 'Number of Echoes' field, set the number of echo instances you want to create.

  4. Choose Echo Operator: The 'Echo Operator' dropdown determines how echoes are blended with the original layer and each other. The default setting is 'Add', but you can choose from several other blending modes based on your desired visual outcome.

Use-Case Example:

Let's say you're creating a video montage for a sports event, and you have a clip of an athlete making a dramatic leap. The Echo effect could be used to emphasize the motion and create a visually arresting image.

Here's how you might use the Echo effect in this context:

  1. Apply the Echo Effect: Select the video layer containing the clip of the athlete, then go to "Effect" > "Time" > "Echo".

  2. Set Echo Time: Set the 'Echo Time' to a small negative value. This will create echoes that follow the athlete's motion.

  3. Adjust the Number of Echoes: Increase the 'Number of Echoes' to create a longer trail.

  4. Choose Echo Operator: Set the 'Echo Operator' to 'Maximum' to make the echoes appear brighter and more vibrant.

The final result is a stylized clip where the athlete's leap is emphasized by a trail of echoes, conveying a sense of speed and energy.


8. Invert Effect

This effect inverts the colors in your footage. It can be used to create high-contrast visuals or stylized color effects.

The Invert effect in Adobe After Effects is used to invert the colors of an image or video, which essentially means it creates a negative of the original footage.

How To Use The Invert Effect:

  1. Apply the Invert Effect: Select the layer you want to apply the invert effect to, then go to "Effect" > "Channel" > "Invert".

  2. Set the Channel: In the 'Channel' dropdown menu, select the color channels you want to invert. By default, all channels (Red, Green, Blue, and Alpha) are selected, but you can choose to invert only specific color channels based on your needs.

Use-Case Example:

Let's say you're working on a music video project and you want to create a psychedelic or surreal visual aesthetic for a specific section of the song. You could use the Invert effect to achieve this.

Here's how you might use the Invert effect in this context:

  1. Apply the Invert Effect: Select the video layer that you want to apply the effect to, then go to "Effect" > "Channel" > "Invert".

  2. Set the Channel: In the 'Channel' dropdown menu, select 'RGB'. This will invert all color channels, creating a full-color negative of the original footage.

By inverting the colors, you can instantly create a strange, dreamlike quality that complements the music. This is just one example of how the Invert effect can be used creatively in video editing and motion graphics projects.


9. Posterize Time Effect

This effect reduces your footage's frame rate, creating a "stop motion" or "choppy playback" effect that can be used to stylize your footage.

The Posterize Time effect in Adobe After Effects is used to reduce the frame rate of the video footage, which gives it a choppy, "strobe" look similar to old-time films. It can help to create a stylized, non-realistic motion effect.

How To Use The Posterize Time Effect:

  1. Apply the Posterize Time Effect: Select the layer you want to apply the Posterize Time effect to, then go to "Effect" > "Time" > "Posterize Time".

  2. Set the Frame Rate: In the 'Frame Rate' field, input the desired number of frames per second. This will be the new frame rate for your video. The lower the frame rate, the choppier the video will look.

Use-Case Example:

Let's say you're working on a project that involves recreating the look of silent-era films. You could use the Posterize Time effect to achieve this.

Here's how you might use the Posterize Time effect in this context:

  1. Apply the Posterize Time Effect: Select the video layer that you want to apply the effect to, then go to "Effect" > "Time" > "Posterize Time".

  2. Set the Frame Rate: Input '16' in the 'Frame Rate' field. Silent-era films typically had a frame rate of 16 frames per second, so this will give your video the desired look.

In addition to this, you might also apply a black and white effect and add some film grain to make your video look more authentic. This is just one example of how the Posterize Time effect can be used creatively in video editing and motion graphics projects.


10. Radiowaves Effect

Radiowaves generates concentric shapes that radiate outwards, useful for creating animated backgrounds or stylized transitions.

The Radio Waves effect in Adobe After Effects creates a series of concentric, geometric shapes radiating outward from a central point, much like the ripples created when you drop a pebble into a pond. This effect can be customized to create a wide range of effects, from simple wave patterns to complex, animated graphics.

How To Use The Radiowaves Effect:

  1. Apply the Radio Waves Effect: To apply the Radio Waves effect, you would select the layer to which you wish to apply the effect and then go to "Effect" > "Generate" > "Radio Waves".

  2. Adjust Settings: After applying the effect, you can modify its properties in the Effects Control panel. Some key properties include:

    • Frequency: This controls the rate at which the waves are emitted. Higher values will create more waves in a given time period.

    • Expansion: This controls the speed at which the waves expand.

    • Color: This controls the color of the waves.

    • Start Width and End Width: These control the thickness of the waves at the beginning and end of their life, respectively.

    • Wave Type: This controls the shape of the waves. You can select from options such as Circle, Polygon, Image Contour, and Mask Contour.

Use-Case Example:

Suppose you're creating an animation to visualize a radio broadcast. The Radio Waves effect can be used to create an abstract representation of the radio waves being transmitted from the broadcasting station.

Here's how you might use the Radio Waves effect in this context:

  1. Apply the Radio Waves Effect: On a new solid layer, apply the Radio Waves effect.

  2. Adjust Settings: Set the Frequency to a low value, like 1, to create a slow, steady wave emission. Set the Expansion to a high value to make the waves quickly spread out. Set the Color to a suitable color to match the theme of your project.

  3. Position the Waves: Position the solid layer with the Radio Waves effect on top of the image of the radio broadcasting station in your composition. This will make it look like the waves are emanating from the station.

Remember, the Radio Waves effect can be extensively customized, so you can tweak the settings until you get the look you want.


11. 4-Color Gradient Effect

This effect allows you to apply a gradient of four different colors to your footage, which can create a unique and visually interesting look.

The 4-Color Gradient effect in Adobe After Effects creates a color gradient using four different colors, allowing you to create a complex and visually interesting background or overlay.

How To Use The 4-Color Gradient Effect:

  1. Apply the 4-Color Gradient Effect: To apply this effect, select the layer you want to add the gradient to, then go to "Effect" > "Generate" > "4-Color Gradient".

  2. Adjust Settings: After applying the effect, you can adjust its properties in the Effects Control panel. Some key properties include:

    • Colors 1 through 4: These are the four colors used in the gradient. You can change each color by clicking on the color square next to the color number and selecting a new color from the color picker.

    • Point 1 through 4: These control the position of each color in the gradient. You can click and drag these points in the Composition panel to move them around.

    • Blend: This controls the amount of blending between the colors. Higher values will make the colors blend together more smoothly, while lower values will make the transitions between colors more abrupt.

    • Jitter: This adds a random, noisy variation to the colors, making the gradient more complex and textured.

Use-Case Example:

A 4-Color Gradient could be used to create a dynamic background for a title sequence in a video project. For example, if you are creating an intro for a travel vlog, you might want a vibrant and colorful background that evokes a sense of adventure.

Here's how you might use the 4-Color Gradient effect in this context:

  1. Apply the 4-Color Gradient Effect: On a new solid layer, apply the 4-Color Gradient effect.

  2. Choose Your Colors: Set Colors 1 through 4 to colors that match the theme of your travel vlog. You might choose a combination of warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows, or cool colors like blues and greens, depending on the vibe you're going for.

  3. Position the Colors: Drag the points in the Composition panel to position the colors in a way that creates a visually pleasing gradient. You might position them so the colors radiate outward from the center, or you might arrange them in a diagonal or horizontal line.

  4. Adjust the Blend and Jitter: Set the Blend to a high value to create a smooth transition between colors, and add a little bit of Jitter to give the gradient some texture and complexity.

  5. Add Your Title: Finally, add your title on top of the gradient background. The vibrant, dynamic gradient will help your title stand out and grab the viewer's attention.


12. Gaussian Blur Effect

This effect is used to soften or blur your footage. It's handy for creating depth of field, softening details, or creating a dream-like effect.

Gaussian Blur is a standard effect in Adobe After Effects used to blur an image, video, or another layer in a composition. It's named after the mathematical function that describes its shape (the Gaussian function), producing a smooth and natural blur.

How To Use The Gaussian Blur Effect:

  1. Apply the Gaussian Blur Effect: To apply this effect, select the layer you want to add the blur to, then go to "Effect" > "Blur & Sharpen" > "Gaussian Blur".

  2. Adjust Settings: After applying the effect, you can adjust its properties in the Effects Control panel. The key property here is "Blurriness", which controls how much the layer is blurred. You can adjust this value by sliding the control to the right (for more blur) or to the left (for less blur).

  3. Blur Dimensions: This setting controls whether the blur is applied horizontally, vertically, or in both directions. The default setting is 'Both', which applies the blur uniformly in all directions.

  4. Repeat Edge Pixels: This option ensures the entire image is blurred uniformly, including the edges. If you don't select this, you may notice that the blur effect decreases towards the edges of your layer.

Use-Case Example:

Gaussian Blur can be used in a multitude of ways. One popular use case is creating depth of field. For instance, if you have a 2D scene and you want to create a sense of depth, you might choose to blur the layers that are supposed to appear further away. This emulates a common camera technique used in film and photography to focus on a subject while blurring the background or foreground.

To do this, you would:

  1. Create Your Scene: Arrange your layers in the composition so that some elements appear to be in the foreground and others in the background.

  2. Apply Gaussian Blur: Apply the Gaussian Blur effect to the layers you want to blur. The layers intended to look further away should receive more blur than those closer to the 'camera'.

  3. Adjust Blurriness: Increase the Blurriness value for these layers until they look sufficiently distant. You might have to experiment a bit to get the look you want.

  4. Repeat For Other Layers: Apply and adjust the Gaussian Blur effect for other layers in your composition as needed, always keeping in mind the intended perception of depth and distance.

By using the Gaussian Blur in this way, you can take flat, 2D images and give them a sense of depth and three-dimensionality.


13. Drop Shadow Effect

This effect adds a shadow that mimics a light source shining on the layer from above. It can add depth and dimension to flat graphics.

Drop Shadow is a commonly used effect in Adobe After Effects that creates a shadow for the selected layer, giving the illusion of depth and a 3D effect. The shadow mimics the layer's alpha channel—the layer's level of transparency.

How To Use The Drop Shadow Effect:

  1. Apply the Drop Shadow Effect: To apply this effect, select the layer you want to add the drop shadow to, then go to "Effect" > "Perspective" > "Drop Shadow".

  2. Adjust Settings: Once you've applied the effect, you can adjust its properties in the Effect Controls panel. The key properties include:

    • Shadow Color: This is the color of the shadow. The default color is black, but you can change it to whatever color you need.

    • Opacity: This controls the transparency of the shadow. A higher value makes the shadow darker, and a lower value makes the shadow lighter.

    • Direction: This determines the angle at which the light appears to be coming from, which influences the direction of the shadow.

    • Distance: This controls how far the shadow appears from the layer. Increasing this value will make the shadow appear further away from the layer.

    • Softness: This determines how sharp or blurred the edges of the shadow are. Increasing this value will make the shadow edges more blurred, creating a softer shadow.

Use-Case Example:

A typical use case of the Drop Shadow effect is to create a sense of depth in a flat scene or to enhance readability of text over complex backgrounds.

Suppose you have a white text layer over a light-colored background, and the text is hard to read. To improve readability, you could add a drop shadow to the text. Here's how:

  1. Select Your Text Layer: Click on the text layer to which you want to add the drop shadow.

  2. Apply Drop Shadow: Go to "Effect" > "Perspective" > "Drop Shadow".

  3. Adjust Settings: You can then adjust the properties of the drop shadow to suit your needs. For example, you could increase the Opacity to make the shadow darker, increase the Distance to make the shadow extend further from the text, or increase the Softness to make the shadow more diffuse.

By adjusting the settings of the Drop Shadow effect, you can significantly improve the contrast and readability of your text. It's a simple but powerful tool for enhancing the visual hierarchy of your After Effects compositions.


14. CC Snowfall / CC Rainfall Effect

These effects simulate falling snow or rain in your footage, adding a natural or dramatic element to your projects.

CC Snowfall is an effect in Adobe After Effects that simulates falling snow. It's a part of the CycoreFX HD package that comes bundled with After Effects, and it provides a way to quickly and easily add realistic snowfall to a scene.

How To Use The CC Snowfall / CC Rainfall Effect:

  1. Create a New Layer: First, create a new solid layer on top of your composition where you want the snow to appear. This is typically a black solid, but you can use any color.

  2. Apply the CC Snowfall Effect: With the new layer selected, go to "Effect" > "CycoreFX HD" > "CC Snowfall".

  3. Adjust Settings: Once the effect is applied, you can adjust its properties in the Effect Controls panel. Key properties include:

    • Flakes: This controls the number of snowflakes that appear in the scene. Increasing this value will create a heavier snowfall, while decreasing it will result in a lighter snowfall.

    • Size: This adjusts the size of the individual snowflakes. Larger sizes can create a sense of closer, more focused snowfall, while smaller sizes can give the illusion of a more distant snowfall.

    • Speed: This controls the speed at which the snowflakes fall. Higher speeds can create the effect of a more intense snowstorm.

    • Spread: This adjusts the spread of the snowflakes. A wider spread will distribute the snowflakes more broadly across the scene.

    • Wind: This changes the direction and intensity of the wind, which in turn alters the trajectory of the snowflakes.

Use-Case Example:

Imagine you're creating a holiday-themed video and want to add a layer of falling snow to your final shot of a peaceful, winter scene. Here's how:

  1. Create a New Layer: Click "Layer" > "New" > "Solid". Choose a black color for the solid and click "OK".

  2. Apply CC Snowfall: With the new layer selected, go to "Effect" > "CycoreFX HD" > "CC Snowfall".

  3. Adjust Settings: Increase the number of flakes and the size for a heavy snowfall, or decrease them for a gentle flurry. You could adjust the speed to make the snowfall slower and more peaceful, or faster for a more intense snowstorm. Adjust the spread to cover the entire scene, and use the wind setting to create a diagonal snowfall effect.

By tweaking these settings, you can create a perfect snowfall effect that suits the mood and aesthetic of your scene. It's a versatile effect that can enhance winter and holiday-themed compositions in After Effects.


15. Bevel Alpha Effect

Bevel Alpha adds a 3D bevel to your footage. It's a great way to add depth and dimension to your flat images or text.

The Bevel Alpha effect in Adobe After Effects is used to add a beveled edge and light highlight to an alpha boundary. This can give your text or object a three-dimensional (3D) look. The Bevel Alpha effect uses the alpha channel of an image to create beveled edges and works best with anti-aliased edges.

How To Use The Bevel Alpha Effect:

  1. Applying the Effect: To apply the Bevel Alpha effect, you simply select your layer, then navigate to "Effect" > "Perspective" > "Bevel Alpha".

  2. Adjusting Settings: Once you've applied the Bevel Alpha effect, you can adjust several parameters in the Effects Control panel. These include:

    • Edge Thickness: This controls the thickness of the bevel. Increasing this value will result in a larger, more pronounced bevel.

    • Light Angle: This controls the angle at which the light appears to hit the object. Changing this value will shift the light source, altering the appearance of the bevel's highlight and shadow.

    • Light Intensity: This adjusts the intensity of the light source. A higher value will create a stronger, more noticeable highlight and shadow.

    • Light Color: This changes the color of the light source.

Use-Case Example:

Let's say you're creating a title sequence for a film and you want the text to have a dynamic, 3D appearance.

  1. Add Text: Create a new text layer and type out your title.

  2. Apply Bevel Alpha: Select your text layer, then go to "Effect" > "Perspective" > "Bevel Alpha".

  3. Adjust Settings: Increase the Edge Thickness to make the bevel more pronounced. Adjust the Light Angle to a position that best complements your composition. Increase the Light Intensity to make the bevel more noticeable. Finally, change the Light Color to match the mood or theme of your film.

By applying and adjusting the Bevel Alpha effect, you can easily add depth to your text or object, making it pop off the screen and creating a more visually engaging composition.


16. Fractal Noise Effect

This is a versatile effect that generates procedural noise patterns. It can be used to create clouds, fire, water surfaces, and a multitude of other organic looking visuals.

Fractal Noise is one of the most versatile and widely used effects in Adobe After Effects. It generates grayscale noise that can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Fractal Noise is procedural, which means it is created mathematically rather than using existing pixel data.

How To Use The Fractal Noise Effect:

  1. Applying the Effect: To apply the Fractal Noise effect, select your layer, navigate to "Effect" > "Noise & Grain" > "Fractal Noise".

  2. Adjusting Settings: Once you have applied the Fractal Noise effect, you can customize it using a wide array of parameters in the Effects Control panel. These include:

    • Fractal Type and Noise Type: These allow you to choose the algorithm used to generate the noise. This can significantly alter the look of the effect.

    • Contrast and Brightness: These control the visual intensity and brightness of the noise.

    • Transform Settings: These allow you to adjust the scale, rotation, and position of the noise.

    • Complexity: This controls the level of detail in the noise. Higher values will result in more complex and detailed noise patterns.

    • Evolution: This animates the noise over time, creating the appearance of motion within the noise.

Use-Case Example:

Let's say you're working on a sci-fi project and you want to create a dynamic, animated space background.

  1. Create a Solid: Create a new solid layer for the background.

  2. Apply Fractal Noise: Apply the Fractal Noise effect to your solid layer.

  3. Adjust Settings: Set the Fractal Type to "Dynamic Twist" and Noise Type to "Spline". Increase the Contrast for more defined stars and reduce the Brightness so that the stars don't overpower your composition. In the Transform settings, decrease the Scale to create smaller, more star-like points. Increase the Complexity to add more detail and depth to your star field.

  4. Animate: Keyframe the Evolution setting to slowly change over the length of your composition, giving the stars a twinkling effect.

With these steps, the Fractal Noise effect can be used to create a dynamic and visually appealing space background for your sci-fi project.


17. Displacement Map Effect

This effect distorts a layer by displacing its pixels horizontally and vertically based on the luminance values of another layer. It can be used to create water or glass-like effects.

Displacement Map is a powerful effect in Adobe After Effects that can be used to distort a layer in your composition. The effect uses the color information in a displacement map layer to distort the pixels in the layer it is applied to.

How To Use The Displacement Map Effect:

  1. Applying the Effect: To apply the Displacement Map effect, select the layer you want to distort, then navigate to "Effect" > "Distort" > "Displacement Map".

  2. Choosing a Map Layer: In the Effects Control panel, you'll need to specify a Displacement Map layer. This can be any layer in your composition. The effect will use the luminance (brightness) or color channels of this layer to decide how to displace the pixels in your chosen layer.

  3. Setting Displacement Parameters: The 'Max Horizontal Displacement' and 'Max Vertical Displacement' parameters control how far the pixels in your layer can be moved horizontally or vertically. The units are in pixels.

  4. Choosing Channels: You can also choose which channels from the map layer are used for horizontal and vertical displacement. For example, you could use the red channel for horizontal displacement and the green channel for vertical displacement.

Use-Case Example:

Imagine you're working on a horror movie trailer and you want to create a disturbing, distorted effect on a character's face.

  1. Create a Displacement Map: First, you'd create a grayscale image in a program like Photoshop where the brighter areas represent where you want the most distortion to occur. Import this into After Effects and add it to your composition.

  2. Apply the Effect: Apply the Displacement Map effect to the footage of your character.

  3. Choose Your Map: In the Effects Control panel, choose your grayscale image as the Displacement Map layer.

  4. Adjust Settings: Set the 'Max Horizontal Displacement' and 'Max Vertical Displacement' to values that create the level of distortion you want. Choose the luminance channel to displace both horizontally and vertically.

By keyframing these settings, you can animate the distortion to make it appear as if the character's face is warping and shifting unnaturally, enhancing the horror vibe of your trailer.


18. CC Lens Effect

This effect simulates the distortion of a camera lens. It can create bulging or pinched visuals, giving your footage a unique perspective.

The CC Lens effect in Adobe After Effects simulates the distortion of a camera lens. It is part of the Cycore (CC) set of plugins that come bundled with After Effects. It can create a range of effects from a subtle fisheye distortion to a full, spherical "bubble" view.

How To Use The CC Lens Effect:

  1. Applying the Effect: To apply the CC Lens effect, select the layer you want to modify, then navigate to "Effect" > "Distort" > "CC Lens".

  2. Adjusting the Size: The 'Size' parameter adjusts the size of the lens effect. Higher values create a larger bubble effect, while smaller values create a smaller, more pointed distortion.

  3. Setting the Convergence: The 'Convergence' parameter controls the sharpness of the lens distortion. Positive values cause the image to pinch inwards, while negative values cause the image to bulge outwards.

  4. Center: The 'Center' parameter lets you change the position of the lens effect on your screen.

Use-Case Example:

Let's say you are creating an animation where a magnifying glass moves across a map. You want to use the CC Lens effect to simulate the distortion that would occur as the magnifying glass passes over different parts of the map.

  1. Add the Effect: First, add the CC Lens effect to your map layer.

  2. Adjust Settings: Set the 'Size' parameter to roughly match the size of your animated magnifying glass and adjust the 'Convergence' parameter to create the desired level of bulge.

  3. Animate the Center: You'd then animate the 'Center' parameter to follow the path of your magnifying glass. This will create the impression that the magnifying glass is distorting the map as it moves, adding a more realistic touch to your animation.


19. CC Sphere Effect

This effect wraps your text (or any flat image) around a 3D sphere, creating a rotating globe effect.

CC Sphere is an effect in Adobe After Effects that maps a flat object onto a sphere. This effect is part of the Cycore (CC) plugin suite, which comes bundled with After Effects. It is a very handy tool to create a 3D sphere without using a full 3D application.

How To Use The CC Sphere Effect:

  1. Applying the Effect: First, you apply the CC Sphere effect to a layer by selecting the layer and going to "Effect" > "Perspective" > "CC Sphere".

  2. Understanding the Properties: CC Sphere effect has several main properties to adjust:

    • Rotation: It lets you spin the sphere along any axis (X, Y, Z).

    • Radius: It allows you to change the size of the sphere.

    • Light and Shading: These settings control how the sphere is lit, creating the illusion of depth and texture.

    • Render: This controls how the sphere is displayed, allowing you to choose whether to display just the outside of the sphere, the inside, or both.

Use-Case Example:

A typical use of the CC Sphere effect is to create an animated globe.

  1. Prepare Your Map: Start with a flat, rectangular image of a world map. Apply the CC Sphere effect to this layer.

  2. Adjust Radius: Adjust the radius property to get the desired size of your globe.

  3. Set the Rotation: Then, keyframe the Y rotation property to create a spinning globe effect.

  4. Lighting and Shading: Adjust the lighting and shading settings to give the globe more depth and realism.

With CC Sphere, you've quickly and easily created an animated globe from a flat map image.


    20. CC Star Burst Effect

    A great tool for creating animated star fields or particle explosions. It allows you to control the speed, size, and direction of the stars, providing a variety of visual possibilities.

    CC Star Burst is an effect in Adobe After Effects that creates a field of stars and simulates the camera flying through them at high speeds, often used to simulate effects like warp speed or traveling through space at high velocities.

    How To Use The CC Star Burst Effect:

    1. Applying the Effect: You apply the CC Star Burst effect by selecting a layer and going to "Effect" > "Simulation" > "CC Star Burst".

    2. Understanding the Properties: The main properties of the CC Star Burst effect are:

      • Scatter: This controls the spread of the stars in the field. A higher value will spread the stars more widely apart.

      • Speed: This controls the speed at which the camera seems to be moving through the star field. A higher value will make the stars seem to move faster.

      • Grid Spacing: This changes the distance between the grid points that generate the stars.

      • Size: This changes the size of the stars.

    Use-Case Example:

    A typical use of the CC Star Burst effect is to create a "warp speed" effect like you'd see in a science fiction movie.

    1. Create a New Layer: Start by creating a new solid layer in your composition.

    2. Apply the Effect: Apply the CC Star Burst effect to this layer.

    3. Set Scatter and Speed: Adjust the scatter to a high value to spread the stars apart, and set the speed to a high value to simulate traveling at high speeds.

    4. Adjust Size: You can also adjust the size of the stars if you'd like them to be more noticeable.

    This creates a fast-moving star field that can be used as a background for a spaceship cockpit, a transition between scenes, or any other situation where you want to convey fast movement through space.


    21. Grid Effect

    This effect generates a grid on your footage. It can be used for alignment, to create a graphical overlay, or as a design element in itself.

    The Grid effect in Adobe After Effects generates a customizable grid pattern over your footage. This can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating a design structure to providing visual guides during compositing or motion tracking.

    How To Use The Grid Effect:

    1. Applying the Effect: To apply the Grid effect, select a layer, then go to "Effect" > "Generate" > "Grid".

    2. Understanding the Properties: The Grid effect has several key properties:

      • Size From: This controls whether the grid's size is calculated from the width or height of the composition or layer.

      • Corner Point: This is where the grid starts, the values represent coordinates on the layer.

      • Width & Height: These control the size of each individual cell in the grid.

      • Border: This adjusts the thickness of the grid lines.

      • Feather: This property softens the edges of the grid lines.

      • Opacity: This property controls the transparency of the grid.

    Use-Case Example:

    Grid can be utilized in numerous creative ways. One such example is when working with motion tracking or 3D camera tracking.

    When adding 3D elements to a 2D scene, one of the challenges is ensuring that your 3D elements align correctly with the perspective of your 2D footage. A grid can provide visual cues to help with this alignment.

    1. Create a 3D Camera Track: First, use the 3D Camera Tracker effect on your 2D footage. This will create a virtual 3D camera that mimics the motion of the original camera.

    2. Create a New Solid: Next, create a new solid in your composition. Set this layer as a 3D layer.

    3. Apply the Grid Effect: Apply the Grid effect to the new solid. Adjust the "Width" and "Height" properties to create a grid that provides useful visual cues for your scene.

    4. Position the Solid: Use the 3D camera tracker's target to position the solid (and thus, the grid) at the right location and perspective in your scene.

    5. Align Your 3D Elements: Now you can add your 3D elements to the scene, using the grid as a visual guide to ensure they align correctly with the perspective of your 2D footage.

    Remember to turn off the grid layer before rendering your final output. The Grid effect is an invaluable tool, providing visual structure for complex motion graphics or assisting in tricky compositing tasks.


    22. CC Particle World Effect

    This effect generates complex 3D particle systems. It's perfect for creating a wide array of visual effects like smoke, fire, sparks, and more.

    CC Particle World is a powerful effect in Adobe After Effects that allows you to create complex particle systems. It's versatile and can be used to generate a wide range of visual effects like fire, smoke, rain, snow, star fields, sparkling effects, and more.

    How To Use The CC Particle World Effect:

    1. Applying the Effect: To apply the CC Particle World effect, select a layer, then go to "Effect" > "Simulation" > "CC Particle World".

    2. Understanding the Properties: The effect's parameters are divided into several sections such as Producer, Physics, Particle, and Extras. Here are a few key ones:

      • Producer: Controls the source of the particles, including the position, radius of the area where particles are generated, and the direction in which they are emitted.

      • Physics: Controls how the particles behave once they are generated. You can define the animation type (such as explosive, twirly, direction axis, etc.), gravity, resistance, and extra.

      • Particle: Determines the look of individual particles. You can adjust the particle type (like line, faded sphere, textured square, etc.), birth and death size, size variation, max opacity, birth and death colors, and more.

      • Extras: Here you can add motion blur, effect camera, or define a floor layer.

    Use-Case Example:

    Let's say you're working on a project where you need to create a convincing snowfall effect.

    1. Create a New Layer: Create a new solid layer to serve as the emitter for your snow particles.

    2. Apply CC Particle World: Apply the effect to this new solid layer.

    3. Adjust Producer Settings: Position the producer above the frame so the particles appear to be falling from off-screen. Increase the radius parameters to cover the entire width of the frame.

    4. Configure Physics: Set the Animation to "Directional", the Velocity to a moderate level (like 0.2), Gravity to a low value (like 0.05) to create the slow fall of snowflakes, and Extra > the Floor action to "Bounce".

    5. Customize the Particles: Choose the Faded Sphere for the Particle Type, set both Birth and Death size to small values (like 0.2), and select white for the Birth and Death Color.

    6. Add Depth: Use the Extras section to give the illusion of depth. Turn on the Depth of Field and experiment with the settings until the particles in the distance look blurrier than those in the foreground.

    7. Experiment: As always, the key is to experiment with the settings to get the exact look you're after. The parameters will depend on your specific scene and the effect you're trying to achieve.

    Remember, when using effects like CC Particle World, subtle adjustments can drastically change the outcome of the effect.


    23. Turbulent Displace Effect

    This effect distorts your footage using turbulent noise patterns. It's ideal for creating a variety of unique, distorted looks such as heat haze, water ripples, or even a "jelly-like" effect.

    The Turbulent Displace effect in Adobe After Effects is a powerful tool that creates distortion based on fractal noise, often leading to organic and natural looking distortion effects. This effect can add waviness and irregularities to any shape or path.

    How To Use The Turbulent Displace Effect:

    1. Applying the Effect: To apply the Turbulent Displace effect, select your desired layer, then go to "Effect" > "Distort" > "Turbulent Displace".

    2. Understanding the Properties: The main parameters of Turbulent Displace include:

      • Amount: Controls the amount of distortion applied.

      • Size: Adjusts the size of the displacement, smaller values create more intricate details and larger values lead to broader distortions.

      • Offset: Allows you to animate the effect to simulate movement, by shifting the origin of the turbulence.

      • Complexity: Higher values increase the detail in the turbulence but also increase processing time.

      • Displacement: Defines the style of the displacement, options include Turbulent, Bulge, Twist, etc.

    Use-Case Example:

    Suppose you are creating a scene where a character has magical powers, and you want to show an energy field distorting the air around the character's hand.

    1. Create a New Layer: Create a new solid layer and draw a mask in the shape of the desired energy field around the character's hand.

    2. Apply Turbulent Displace: Apply the effect to this new solid layer.

    3. Adjust Amount and Size: Increase the amount to a high value to create a noticeable distortion, and adjust the size to fit the scene. For an energy field, a smaller size often works better as it creates more intricate details.

    4. Animate the Offset: To simulate the energy field's movement, animate the offset over time. Start with the offset at the bottom of the mask and animate it to move upwards.

    5. Adjust the Opacity: Lower the layer's opacity to make the energy field semi-transparent.

    6. Blend Modes: Experiment with different blend modes for the layer to achieve a more integrated and realistic effect.

    Remember, the key with this effect, as with many others in After Effects, is experimentation. The exact parameters will depend on your specific scene and the effect you're trying to achieve. 


    24. CC Light Sweep Effect

    This effect creates a 3D light ray sweep across your footage, perfect for adding focus to text or creating dynamic transitions.

    The CC Light Sweep effect in Adobe After Effects is an excellent tool to simulate the effect of a light source sweeping across your footage or design elements. It can give your text or graphics a three-dimensional appearance and provide a more dynamic look to your compositions.

    How To Use The CC Light Sweep Effect:

    1. Applying the Effect: To apply the CC Light Sweep effect, select your desired layer, then go to "Effect" > "Generate" > "CC Light Sweep".

    2. Understanding the Properties: The main parameters of CC Light Sweep include:

      • Center: Determines the position of the light source.

      • Angle: Sets the angle at which the light sweeps across the object.

      • Width: Controls the width of the light beam.

      • Intensity: Determines the brightness of the light beam.

      • Edge Intensity: Controls the intensity of the light at the edges.

      • Edge Thickness: Sets the thickness of the light edges.

      • Sweep Intensity: Controls the intensity of the light sweep effect.

      • Direction: Determines the direction of the light sweep.

    Use-Case Example:

    A common use of the CC Light Sweep effect is to animate text titles for a dynamic introduction to a video.

    1. Create Text: Start by creating your text layer.

    2. Apply CC Light Sweep: Apply the CC Light Sweep effect to the text layer.

    3. Adjust Settings: Set the width, intensity, edge intensity, and edge thickness to fit the look you're going for. You can create a soft subtle glow, or a hard intense light beam, depending on your needs.

    4. Animate the Center: Now, you'll want to animate the center property to simulate the light sweep. Start at one end of the text and set a keyframe. Move forward in the timeline and set the center to the other end of the text.

    5. Play with Direction and Angle: For further customization, play around with the direction and angle settings to match your desired outcome.

    This effect can be a simple but effective way to add more depth and interest to your text or object layers in After Effects. With a bit of creativity, it can be used in many other interesting ways too.


    25. CC Scale Wipe Effect

    This effect wipes the layer on or off by scaling from one or two edges. It can be used to create unique transitions or to reveal text or objects in a creative way.

    The CC Scale Wipe effect in Adobe After Effects is a unique tool that allows you to create an impression of scaling an image while simultaneously wiping it across the screen.

    How To Use The CC Scale Wipe Effect:

    1. Applying the Effect: To apply the CC Scale Wipe effect, first select your desired layer, then go to "Effect" > "Transition" > "CC Scale Wipe".

    2. Understanding the Properties: The main parameters of CC Scale Wipe include:

      • Center: Determines the origin of the scale wipe.

      • Stretch: Controls the amount of stretching that occurs. Negative values will shrink the image, and positive values will stretch it.

      • Direction: Sets the angle at which the wipe occurs.

      • Completion: Adjusts how much of the wipe effect is shown. At 0% completion, no effect is applied. At 100%, the entire effect is shown.

    Use-Case Example:

    A practical use of the CC Scale Wipe effect could be in creating a unique transition between two pieces of footage or text.

    1. Create a Transition: To create a transition, first apply the CC Scale Wipe effect to your outgoing footage.

    2. Animate Completion: Set a keyframe for the Completion parameter at the point you want your transition to start, with a value of 0%. Move forward in the timeline to when you want the transition to end and change the Completion value to 100%.

    3. Adjust Direction: Adjust the direction of the wipe to match your needs. The direction can be any angle you prefer, depending on the motion you want to create.

    4. Set the Stretch Parameter: Lastly, experiment with the Stretch parameter to determine how much distortion you want to introduce during the transition.

    Remember, this effect can be quite dynamic and creative, so it may take some experimentation to get the look you're aiming for. Whether you want a subtle transition or a more dramatic effect, the CC Scale Wipe provides ample opportunities for customization.

      Adobe After Effects boasts an impressive collection of free effects, each with its unique charm and application.

      These effects, when used creatively, can significantly enhance your projects, turning ordinary footage into an extraordinary work of art.

      We hope you’ve found this article on the Top FREE Effects in After Effects | Best Video Effects in AE to be useful and practical.

      For more valuable info, tools, and resources for film directors, videographers, photographers, motion designers, video editors, and creatives - check out the Ultimate List of Filmmaker Resources, Glossary of Essential Film Terms, or all blog posts.

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