How to change resolution
1. File > Scripts > Scale Composition
2. New Comp Width > 1920
3. New Comp Height > 1080
4. Hit "Scale"
Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=57&v=qtMbNe3zY7o&feature=emb_logo
How to zoom in/out of the ActiveView window
1. Position mouse cursor on ActiveView window
2. Alt+mousewheel forward/backward
Source https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/modifying-using-views.html
How to move object around ActiveView window
1. Space+LHS click+drag
Remove any object from video with AE
1. Select video clip (.mp4) in timeline
2. Pen Tool (hit G) > draw a closed shape around the object (drag points to adjust shape)
3. In timeline, the video clip fill will have a new dropdown: Masks > Mask 1 > change "Add" to "Subtract" (this will subtract the object from the video and leave a black void of that shape)
4. In RHS panel > "Content Aware Fill" window > FillMethod(Surface) (to fill the void with the surrounding surface of the crop) > Range(WorkArea) (to analyse the surface as shown in the workarea i.e. untrimmed video) > hit "Generate Fill Layer" button
SOURCE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvWI0a0Oqi0
Practical
HOW TO GET USED TO AE PARTICULAR
1. Create new solid layer (Ctrl+Y)
2. In "Effects & Presets" window, search for "Particular", drag & drop to new solid layer
STARTING LOOK
3. SET PARTICLE LIFE
Particular > Particle > Life[sec] > 1
4. SET VELOCITY to zero (bcos velocity disperse particles from original structure)
Particular > Emitter > Velocity > 0
5. SET STARTING SHAPE
Particular > Emitter > Emitter Type (Sphere)
6. Turn off Z-axis (get rid of depth, so turbulence is more obvious)
Particular > Emitter > Emitter Size Z > 0
LET 1-DIRECTION WIND BLOW
7. TURN ON WIND
Particular > Physics > Air > Wind Y > -400
8. ADJUST LIFE TO GIVE IT MORE HEIGHT
Particular > Particle > Life[sec] > 1.5
9. INTRO MORE PARTICLES
Particular > Emitter > Particles/sec > 10000
10. SPREAD IT WIDER
Particular > Emitter > Emitter Size X > 300
11. SEE FINER DOTS
Particular > Particle > Size > 2
INTRO TURBULENCE
12. Intro basic turbulence
Particular > Physics > Air > Turbulence Field > Affect Position > 400
13. Delay starting of turbulence on particles (let particle rise up for 1 sec, then be subject to turbulence)
Particular > Physics > Air > Turbulence Field > Fade-in Time[sec] >1
14. Look nicer by scaling turbulence down (but loses detail)
Particular > Physics > Air > Turbulence Field > Scale > 7 (from 10)
15. Regain much better & finer turbulent details
Particular > Physics > Air > Turbulence Field > Octave Multiplier > 1.8 (from 0.5)
16. Decrease evolution speed to get more natural motion
Particular > Physics > Air > Turbulence Field > Evolution Speed > 15 (from 50)
17. U want the particles to move with the wind, not slipping
Particular > Physics > Air > Turbulence Field > Move with Wind[%]> 100 (from 80)
18. Crank up the Affect Position for great turbulence
Particular > Physics > Air > Turbulence Field > Affect Position > 560 (from 400)
19. Make it fade from bottom and fade out at top
Particular > Particle > Size over Life (effect quality is better than "Opacity over Life")> "n" shape
20. Turn up wind Y to keep up with simulation
SOURCE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glYGWUxAI_4
