35 Fantastic Tutorials for Learning After Effects

After Effects is a popular application for creating stunning visual effects and motion graphics. It offers all the tools and features that allow motion designers, animators, and video editors to add an extra dimension to their videos and motion graphics, making them more engaging and visually appealing.

But if you’re new to After Effects, the learning curve can be steep. However, there are plenty of tutorials available to help you get started and improve your skills.

These tutorials provide step-by-step instructions and tips on how to create various special effects in After Effects, making it easier for you to master the software and produce professional animations and graphics.

So, whether you’re a beginner or a professional user, the After Effects tutorials we have for you here cover various areas of the application, from basic animation techniques to advanced special effects. There’s something here for everyone to learn and explore.

Let’s dive in and start creating some fantastic animations!

Special Effects Tutorials for After Effects

How To Create A Miniature Effect in After Effects

Save money on tilt-shift camera lenses by using this tutorial to recreate the same effects with Adobe After Effects. It includes a video walkthrough as well as a written version.

Electric Elements After Effects Template

Make your videos stand out with this wonderful animated electrical flash. It’s completely customizable, and each animation includes a unique sound effect.

Cartoon Elements After Effects Template

Do you need something a little more light-hearted? Look no further than this cartoon elements pack. It’s a great choice when you need to add fun to your projects.

How to Create a Cinematic with After Effects

With this video tutorial, learn how to manipulate light levels and create film-quality scenes in Adobe After Effects. Learn how to use null objects and create spotlights to make your scenes stand out.

How To Create A HUD Eye Effect

Use this video tutorial to create a stunning heads-up display focused around the eye’s iris. Learn how to add a bionic ring, add a scanning effect, and finish with a complete screen display.

How to Create an After Effects Halftone Effect

This video tutorial will teach you how to transform a still image into a halftone image in Adobe After Effects. You can use this effect to make beautiful transitions between videos or as a standalone image.

How to Create a Translucent Glass Effect

In this video tutorial, you will learn how to create and use a fogged glass effect. You will also learn how to use this displacement effect to its fullest and create eye-catching visuals that wow.

How to Create Meteorological Effects in After Effects

In this video tutorial, you will learn how to transpose inclement weather onto clear days and produce a full range of lightning effects.

How to Create an Anime-Style Explosion in After Effects

Creating anime explosions doesn’t have to be complicated, and it certainly won’t be after watching this tutorial. You will learn the basic concepts and how to create your very own anime explosions.

How To Clone & Interact with Yourself in After Effects

There is no need to build a cloning machine to have two of yourself on screen! In this video tutorial, you will learn how to master the art of simultaneously duplicating yourself into the same scene from different areas.

How to Pull Someone into Another World

This video tutorial will teach you how to use a green screen and how to combine multiple video files to create a single scene. You can then use this process on any number of projects!

How to Create a Powerful Sun Effect in After Effects

With this video tutorial, you will learn how to create the scorching effects of any sun or star. You will learn how to create a 3D star, add flaring effects, and make it appear hot.

Animation Effect Tutorials for After Effects

How to Create a Colorful Glitch Effect

Learn how to create a stunning glitch effect that will add a splash of action whenever you need it. This is a wonderful way to mark stark changes between scenes or words.

Hi-Tech HUD Logo Reveal Template

If you love glitchy animation, futuristic neon looks, and a HUD feel, then this resource pack is all you need for your next logo reveal snippet. It includes a step-by-step tutorial to help you get the most out of it.

How To Create A Faux 3D Spin Effect In After Effects

Easily create a faux 3D effect on a can using a combination of scripts and keyframe usage. You will be able to spin a full-labeled can into any scene!

150 Splatter Animation Templates

Need to save time drawing out those energy flashes, streaks, slashes, or blasts? Then this resource pack is perfect for you. With 150 different splatter effects and ten different text effects, they will speed up your next project.

How to Create a Moving Van with Wiggle Expressions

Give motion to a truck to simulate it being driven, all by a simple wiggle expression. You will learn how to give the wheels movement and make it seem like the truck is being propelled in your chosen direction.

How to Create a Flat Design Conceptual Animation

In this video tutorial, you will learn how to create a flat design image and then animate it for your next brand promotional, GIF, or video. Follow these steps to ensure you never miss your mark!

Liquid FX Animation Pack

This resource includes more than 100 animated splashes and strokes and ten completely customizable fullscreen transitions, saving you time on your next project.

How to Create an Animated Paper Box Intro

Create a 2D animation that you will then use in Cinema 4D as a texture to create a vivid animation through multiple Mograph clones in both space and time.

How to Create an Animated Polygon

In this video tutorial, you will learn how easy it is to make an animated polygon that transitions through multiple variations featuring current and retro logos. The hardest part is just getting started!

How to Create Dynamic Bar Graphs in After Effects

Get creative and make a graph video with just dynamic bars to create your chart. Using a single animation repeated for each bar, you can easily set your values and show off how your video is going through the roof!

How to Create an Audio Spectrum in Adobe After Effects

This tutorial teaches you how to create a colorful rendition of an audio file using the audio spectrum in Adobe After Effects.

How To Create Animated Fire In After Effects

Follow this video tutorial the next time you need a flaming cartoon log. This tutorial gives a step by step instructions on how to create multiple colored animated fires atop a shaped wooden log.

How To Animate Liquid In After Effects

This video tutorial teaches how to magically fill a cup with carbonated orange liquid. You can easily make this animation by combining two different-toned colors and a bubble generator.

How To Create Animated Backgrounds in After Effects

Learn how to create a background by animating several different trees sprouting. This animated background is sure to be an evergreen hit.

How to Animate Vector Illustrations with After Effects

Ever wanted colors and shapes to come together to form recognizable items? Then look no forward than this tutorial, where you will learn how to animate a computer, iPod, and controller in a few quick and easy steps.

How to Create Flying Drops with Simple 2D Vector Animation

Learn how to draw and animate vector liquid droplets with only the pen tool without needing extra plugins or effects. Because the droplets are vector-based, you can make them as big or as small as you need them!

How to Create 3D topographic Maps in After Effects

In this video tutorial, you will learn how to make topographical maps in both 2D and 3D. This will include animations that start simple and can grow to be quite complex.

How to Cretae a Glitch Logo Animation

In this video tutorial, you will learn how to create a glitching effect that can be used on any text, animation, logo, or image.

Text & Title Effect Tutorials for After Effects

How to Create a Hollywood-style Movie Title

This step-by-step tutorial will teach you the concepts and skills to make film-worthy title screens. This multi-program tutorial uses concepts in Cinema 4D, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Illustrator.

PolyNoise Alphabet – Animated Typeface Template

Instead of learning how to create a glitched letter effect, use this template instead. You will get both upper and lower case letters, numbers 0-9, and commonly used punctuation and symbols.

How to Create the True Detective Titles in AE

Easily recreate the title sequence used for the HBO show True Detective. This tutorial shows you how to use several pieces of different media to make one perfect title screen.

Essential Titles Template

Save time, money, and energy with this essential title template pack. Fully customizable and completely animated, this typography template will stand out wherever you use it.

How To Create Neon Text In After Effects

With this video tutorial, you will learn to create text that looks ready for nightlife. The neon lighting effect is complete with the starting flicker to a completely on state.

Minimal Glitch Titles Pack

There is no need to learn how to create your glitch effects when you can save time with this glitch titles resource pack. It contains 200 fully customizable animated titles, a comprehensive scene library, and includes sound effects.

How to Create a Vintage Typewriter Key Logo Design

With this video tutorial, you will be able to create vintage 3D typographical keys and then animate them in several different ways. You will need to install the plugin offered with the tutorial.

How to Create Kinetic Typography in After Effects

In this first part of a three-part video tutorial, you will learn how to create, animate, and sync the audio in this animated typography video. When you finish this series, you will be a true kinetic master.

How to Create Morphing Letters in After Effects

This video tutorial teaches how to seamlessly morph one letter into the next! This skill set will ensure you get that A+ on your next video.

How to Create Action Titles With Glitch Effects

This tutorial teaches you how to get truly realistic glitchy typography effects. This step-by-step video shows you how to pull together several effects almost effortlessly.

How to Create a Text Path Animation in After Effects

This video tutorial will show you how to use text path animation to easily create animated typography. You can use the techniques in this tutorial in multiple ways ranging from drawn-out letters to colorized shapes!

How to Create a Rich Typographic Animation Effect

Learn how to manipulate shapes in a way that will inspire you when you put it all together in a beautiful to-watch manner with this video tutorial. No plugins or multiple-shape layers to worry about.

After Effects Tutorial FAQs

What are Special Effects in After Effects?

Special effects in After Effects refer to the visual or audio enhancements added to media content. These effects range from complex animations to basic color adjustments.
Can Beginners Learn to Create Special Effects in After Effects?

Yes, beginners can start learning to create special effects in After Effects. Starting with basic tutorials and gradually moving to more complex effects is a great approach.
What Types of Special Effects Can I Create in After Effects?

You can create various effects, including animations, particle effects, color grading, 3D effects, and much more, depending on your project’s needs.
Do I Need Any Additional Plugins for Creating Special Effects?

While After Effects comes with many built-in effects, some specific effects might require additional plugins. There are both free and paid plugins available.
How Can I Make My Special Effects Look More Professional?

Practice and attention to detail are key. Learning about composition, timing, and the use of color and light will enhance the quality of your effects.
How Do I Sync Special Effects with Audio in After Effects?

After Effects provides tools for audio editing and synchronization. You can match effects to audio cues using keyframes and the timeline.
What’s the Best Way to Learn Special Effects in After Effects?

The best way is through practice and tutorials. Start with basic tutorials, like those above, and progressively tackle more complex projects as your skills improve.
What Should I Do If My Effects Are Slowing Down My Computer?

Optimize your workflow by frequently using lower-resolution previews, purging memory and cache, and ensuring your hardware meets the software’s requirements.

Learning After Effects

After Effects might seem intimidating, but once you master a few tricks, it becomes an indispensable tool in your motion graphic and video editing projects.

Even better, you don’t have to spend years learning the program; these tutorials will help set you on the right path faster.