Background Recipes: So simple, so many options!
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Note: This is some basic instruction on using Fractal Noise to create backgrounds. Check out John Dickinson's Creative Background Design in After Effects.
Using Fractal Noise to Create Backgrounds
Instructions
- Create a new comp.
- Add a solid, the same size as your comp (layer > new > solid).
- Apply Fractal Noise (effect > render > fractal noise). Set the Fractal type and noise type.
- Keyframe some of the parameters such as scale, evolution, rotation, etc.
- Apply Colorama (effect > image control > colorama). You can use an output cycle preset or make one of your own.
- If your settings seem to harsh, apply fast blur (effect > blur and sharpen > fast blur).
- Note: It will not loop seamlessly, so make your comp as long as you need it.
Using Cult Effects/Cycore FX Cell Pattern to Create Backgrounds
Note: You can use the standard version of After Effects if you have Cycore FX. Download a Free Demo of Cycore FX. Cycore Effects is included on the After Effects Pro installer disk.
Instructions
- Create a new comp.
- The trick is to apply Cell Pattern (or CE Cell Pattern if you are using an older version of AE and have the plug-in) to a solid with thin width and/or height and then stretch it up to the comps' width or height. The effect we get by scaling the solid is similar to what an extreme directional blur would create and it will give significantly faster rendering times, since the effect is only calculated on the solids' original size. You need to have best quality switched on when we do this "scaling trick".
- Apply Colorama or tint if you'd like to add some color or pizzazz to your background.
- Note: this one isn't a seamless looper either.