Creating Basic Lightsabers in Adobe After Effects Tutorial HD

This is my own tutorial on how to create lightsabers using the program Adobe After Effects. It covers all of the basics of creating a lightsaber in Adobe After Effects. More extensive tricks will be covered in the future.

I originally learned from Ryan Weiber's tutorial, and have since built on it and changed it around, until I have finally settled on a method which I believe yields the best results.

This tutorial covers the rotoscoping method, rounding the ends, and blurring to create a "light" effect.

I have recorded and uploaded this in full HD for the best possible tutorial; the only downside being is that when I recorded, when I played the clip it lagged, but otherwise, this tutorial is pretty simple to do, it just takes time.

However, I will note, this tutorial is not intended for those who know nothing about After Effects. You are recommended to have some prior knowledge on the basic functionality of the program, prior to attempting this tutorial. I don't have the time to answer everyone's questions when everyone is asking questions that are related to a lack of understanding of the program, rather than my tutorial. I am more than happy to answer questions people may have about this tutorial, but I simply cannot answer everyone's questions about After Effects.

UPDATE: a LOT of people have been complaining about not being able to change the saber color when it comes time to. Like I said, you need to follow this tutorial carefully, as I went back through, checked it, and made sure I had included it. Very clearly, at the 7:30 mark, I say to create a black solid, comp size, and at the bottom of the comp. IF YOU FORGET THIS STEP, THE COLOR BALANCE WILL NOT WORK.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• lightsaber
• tutorial
• adobe
• after
• effects
• basic
• HD
• high
• definition
• ryan
• weiber
• steven
• hayes
• darkfire
• star
• wars
• fanfilm

[ccjjddeemmaann]

why not just use the effect "Beam" ?

[theunholybudders]

@ccjjddeemmaann because, plain and simple, it looks like crap.

[theunholybudders]

@KrapZap ..what? lol

[pokerguy94]

@FireStriker Wow, that is really something special. Thanks for sharing.

[FireStriker]

Art of trolling sent me here

[conorrocks7]

@KrapZap NO!!!!! this is obviously REAL!!!!!!

[TheBieberh8er]

@KrapZap you don't say?

[Zomwat]

@KrapZap

Out of ~20 replies, only 1 managed to catch on the sarcasm.

successfultroll.jpg.

[jacosoft666]

@KrapZap nice use of sarcasm and stating the obvious made me laught

[TheActionBacon]

Thanks man ^-^

[pirophobic]

when i transfer my footage from my camera to my computer and try to put it into adobe after effects it says its not compatible. why is this? is it the program i use to transfer it to my computer or something else? if it is the program what do you use?

[MrkeyzzHannon]

Help me please! When I mask path the saber, when I switch key frames, the saber doesnt move! HELP!