VFX Techniques: Creating a Laser Battle

Creating a Laser Battle shows VFX artists how to generate science-fiction-style gun battles, complete with laser beams, sparks, and set damage. The effects are created right inside After Effects, with its built-in particle tools, rotoscoping, motion tracking, and color, distortion, and blur effects. Combining these techniques in your own shots will allow you to create a wide variety of futuristic gun blasts.

Topics include:

• Running particle simulations to create beams and sparks
• Altering the beams with distortion, blur, and color effects
• Creating interactive lighting through masking and color grading
• Creating set damage by rotoscoping and integrating matte paintings
• Animating post camera moves
• Matching effects through multiple shots