It makes creating the long shadows effect simple and easy, and it can be used on text, logos, images, even with 3rd party plug-ins like Element 3D.
This look has grown in popularity in the past few years, and even if you don't own the preset, you can follow along with the tutorial to learn how easy it works.
Tips and Tricks
To get even more out of the Long Shadows preset, I recommend using it with After Effects expressions. One of the more popular expressions is Dan Ebberts Bounce Expression from MotionScript.
You can copy and paste the expression below to use as I did in the tutorial example. Ensure to press Alt on the keyboard as you click the key-frame stopwatch for the setting to which you would like to add the expression.
1
n = 0;
2
if (numKeys > 0){
3
n = nearestKey(time).index;
4
if (key(n).time > time){
5
n--;
6
}
7
}
8
if (n == 0){
9
t = 0;
10
}else{
11
t = time - key(n).time;
12
}
13
14
if (n > 0 && t < 1){
15
v = velocityAtTime(key(n).time - thisComp.frameDuration/10);
16
amp = .05;
17
freq = 4.0;
18
decay = 8.0;
19
value + v*amp*Math.sin(freq*t*2*Math.PI)/Math.exp(decay*t);
Subscribe below and we’ll send you a weekly email summary of all new 3D & Motion Graphics tutorials. Never miss out on learning about the next big thing.
Charles Yeager is a Motion Graphics Artist and Filmmaker currently residing in Arkansas. Locally he works with many advertising and production companies in the South and Midwest. He also regularly creates tutorial content for Envato Tuts+, Mettle, Adobe, and PremiumBeat. See his portfolio at yeagerfilm.com.
