This seamlessly looping After Effects background is based on the Cell Pattern effect and includes a number of adjustment layers you can use to modify the basic look.

Here are a couple of Form experiments. Both use the String settings; one for an amorphous background element and the other for an interesting text reveal. Click the thumbnail for large images.  Download Project

This After Effects CS4 background is based on a 3×3 Grid created in Adobe Illustrator. Click the thumbnail to view full size images.Take a look at this on-demand e-seminar for tips on how it was set up and how to work with the Illustrator file to change the shapes.  Download project

In part 3 of this series learn how to use After Effects Shape Layers to add dynamic and organic, self-animating elements to the background.

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In part 2 of this series learn how to use After Effects Shape Layers, Fractal Noise and Grid effects to create background elements, then animate them using the Convert Audio to Keyframes feature. Watch tutorial

Summer is almost upon us here in Australia but I know that many of you on the other side of the world are heading into a long cold winter. So I thought I’d make a pretty snowflake background for you to use. It’s based on a very handy confetti background created by Peder Norby from Trapcode.  
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Here is the After Effects project for Unbreakable. The look is based on graphics from the original movie trailer; read the Gallery post for more details.

Gallery post   Download project

Learn how to build backgrounds like a broadcast designer

In this series of tutorials your host John Dickinson demonstrates how create to a range of professional, broadcast-style backgrounds in After Effects. In addition to the base backgrounds, you will learn how to create numerous stunning variations. By the end of the series you will have a strong understanding of the workflow that John uses every day working in broadcast television and the skills necessary to build your own. Your creativity is the only limit!

This value bundle includes lessons 2 to 7 of the Creative Background Design Series:

• Lesson 01: Basic Fractal Loop
  Getting started with Fractal Noise in After Effects Free Download (32MB)
• Lesson 02: Award Night
  Create a realistic theatre curtain.
• Lesson 03: Venetian Blocks
  Create interesting and varied background effects.
• Lesson 04: Fractal Flower
  Create a gorgeous fractal flower and hi-tech worm hole.
• Lesson 05: Molten Cells
  Create an undulating molten lava background.
• Lesson 06: Rose Window
  Create a variety of Persian-style designs.
• Lesson 07: Vector Light
  Create a versatile and stylish blurred light background. Note: the Vector Paint effect was removed in After Effects CS5, although projects from previous releases using Vector Paint will open in CS5.

All project files are included as well as bonus project files which include the individual lesson title animations created using Zaxwerks ProAnimator. The documentation contains an introduction PDF that explains everything you need to know.

About your Host: Based in Sydney Australia, John Dickinson is a cutting-edge motion graphics artist who is in demand. John combines 12 years of industry experience with a proven teaching ability to provide high quality learning resources that encourage and challenge participants to break through to new levels of excellence and impact in their work.

Make a realistic theatre curtain in After Effects

In this video tutorial your host John Dickinson demonstrates how to make a realistic theatre curtain background and other variations in After Effects. John uses innovative techniques and explains several shortcuts that will help your workflow.

All project files are included as well as a bonus project file which includes the beautiful Award Night titles created using Zaxwerks ProAnimator. The documentation contains an introduction PDF that explains everything you need to know.

Make a multi-layered, tech-style background

In this video tutorial your host John Dickinson demonstrates how to use expressions and real-world techniques to make a multi-layered, tech-style background and stunning variations. The lesson is clearly explained and includes cool tricks that will help your After Effects workflow.

All project files are included as well as a bonus project file which includes the Venetian Blocks titles created using Zaxwerks ProAnimator. The documentation contains an introduction PDF that explains everything you need to know.

This starry background was created using a combination of Fractal Noise and Trapcode Particular and is based on a preset included with Particular.

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In this free introductory video tutorial from the Creative Background Design in After Effects series, your host John Dickinson demonstrates how to make a simple, seamlessly looping Fractal Noise background and variations. John uses innovative techniques and explains several shortcuts that will help your workflow.  Download tutorial

Experimenting with the presets that ship with After Effects is a great way to create some unique looks. These backgrounds are based on the Cosmic Power (Backgrounds category) and the Cells (Synthetics category) presets.

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Here are some darker experimentations with Fractal Noise and other effects I’ve been meaning to post. Try Brainstorming them and see what you can come up with. 

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Here’s a neat background based on Knoll Light Factory. It’s basically 2 different flares; the top flare’s Angle property has been animated, with CC Time Blend used to soften and spread the rays. The bottom flare has been distorted using Turbulent Displace to give it a spooky feel, this also makes the large glow flare in the background look kind of like smoke.  Download project

This background uses a series of Illustrator dots animated using the wiggle expression applied to Scale and Opacity. This was then precomposed and CC Radial Blur and CC Toner applied. The grid was created using Grid, warped using Displacement Map and softened at the edges using Lens Blur. It has depth without actually being 3D. Watch movie   Download project

Here’s another example of taking a simple Shape Layer, in this case a star, and experimenting with the different settings.

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After Effects CS3 includes a cool feature called Shape Layers which is basically a range of Illustrator-style tools for creating and animating vector objects. This simple cherry blossom–style background was created using only a single layer. Download project

This background uses a dingbat font as the base graphic and can be customised simply by changing the font inside the Text comp. In this case I’ve used VTMeiOrnaments, but you can try any number of different dingbats or text fonts for different looks. The Text comp has been duplicated and offset in time with various effects applied.  Download project

This seamlessly looping After Effects background is based on the Cell Pattern effect and includes a number of adjustment layers you can use to modify the basic look.

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