With many videos and designs on the web daily, graphic designers or even video production companies must explore more things and load themselves with effective tools. To be on top of the rising competition, there is a trend of mixing old and new tools to make the most of their designs. 

There are so many effects in After Effects that can help you in video editing or making wonderful animations. If you are a motion graphics designer, the beam effect is a must-know effect in After Effects. 

In this blog, we will help you explore how to make beams in After Effects. 

What is the Beam Effect?

The beam effect in After Effects allows you to adjust the qualities and movement of beams such as laser beams. You can be as creative as you can be according to the purpose and needs of your design. 

You can animate the beam by specifying a start and finish point using the beam effect. The beam appears finest when motion blur is employed and the shutter angle is 360. 

The Length control determines the length of the beam as a percentage of the Time value. For example, a setting of 100% means that the visible beam length is at its maximum while the Time control is set to 50%. Time is the percentage of time it takes the beam to travel from beginning to end.

How to use the beam effect?

Now that you know what the beam effect is, I will tell you how to make beams in After Effects. These step-by-step instructions will help you create beams for your graphics, videos, and animations. 

The basic idea of the beam effect in the After Effects is to create a beam between two points. There are a few controls that allow you to style and display it.

So let's start…

Step 1: Firstly, you need to create a new composition. You can select the width and height of the composition and can also set the frame rate. 

After adjusting the width, height and setting up the frame rate, select a background color and start importing the graphic files by clicking on File> Import> File. Then, select your graphic file and import it.

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Step 2: Double-clicking on the project panel lets you import the graphic files by browsing them in the pop-up window. 

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Step 3: Next, create a new solid layer by selecting the layer> new> solid layer.

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Step 4: Once you have imported the graphic file, you need to drag the files into the timeline. 

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Step 5: Now, select the solid layer. You need to go to the effects panel, which can be seen in the after-effects menu. There you need to search for the Beam effect and apply it to the solid layer.

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Step 6: Now, you need to select the solid layer open effects. Select it so that it will let you see the beam open. And after that, you will be able to adjust the length of graphics and icons.  

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Step 7: Adjust the starting and ending thickness according to your design requirements. 

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The Time and Length values are linked. Changing the time value will offset the beam's starting and ending points, cutting it off at those points. It can even be used as a blaster beam between the two points. 

Step 8: Then, you can adjust the softness of the beam. By doing so, you can make the beam more or less blurry.  

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Step 9: Adjust the inside colour and outside colour. These are to create a glow or halo effect in the design. 

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Step 10: Now, you need to select the graphic layer and press ‘U' to let you see all the keyframes applied to any layer. In this case, the position keys will appear.

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Step 11: Now, select the solid layer effect > beam> starting point and parenting to get the position of the graphics. 

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Step 12: Select from the ending point parenting to the second graphics position. 

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Step 13: Then wiggle in the graphics position. 

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All set to create Beams in After Effects?

In this blog, I have demonstrated a simple way of using the beam effect in After Effects. I hope this helps you in creating beams between two points or layers. 

You can do many more things with beam effects and other effects available in After Effects to enhance your logo animation, morph shapes, etc., according to your design requirements.

You may also check out various other things like masking in after effects, to gain more video editing tips. 

If you are looking for video editing companies or explainer video production companies, contact us! We are here to assist you with the best expertise and skilled talents. 

                                                                                                                                Editor: Amrutha

Frequently Asked Questions

To create a frame in After Effects, you can use the “Composition” menu and select “New Composition.” Set the desired frame dimensions, duration, and other settings. This creates a new composition with the specified frame size and settings, ready for you to add content.

To make a loading bar in After Effects, create a shape layer or use a solid layer to represent the loading bar. Then, use keyframes to animate its width or scale to simulate the loading progress. You can also add text or graphics to indicate the progress visually.

Creating an array in After Effects typically involves duplicating layers and arranging them in a grid or sequence. You can use the “Duplicate” function and align layers manually or use third-party scripts or plugins for more precise array arrangements.

To create a tunnel effect in After Effects, you'll need to use 3D layers and the camera tool. Start by creating a cylindrical or tunnel-like shape in a 3D composition. Then, use the camera to move through or along the tunnel, creating a sense of depth and perspective. You can enhance the effect with textures, lighting, and additional elements to achieve the desired look.

Pawan Sajwan is a Motion Graphics Artist who specializes in motion graphics, animation, visual effects, 3D modeling, and video editing. His expertise brings creative visual storytelling to life, offering insights into cutting-edge techniques and software applications. Pawan's passion for motion graphics drives his exploration of new trends and innovative approaches in the field.