Volumetric Lights
Posted on 06. Apr, 2007 by Jerzy Drozda Jr in After Effects
Learn how to create volumetric lights without using external plugins. Enhance the “look and feel” of your projects by lightening them a bit.
Click here to watch the video tutorial
Volumetric lights are very simple way to add mood to your projects. Light going through the clouds, through the window, through the water surface, or whatever really. It makes a whole difference.
After watching this tutorial you will know how to create simple volumetric lights without using any 3rd-party plugins. Just match your volume lights with your footage, apply some blending modes, maybe even colorize the lights a little bit, and you’ll achieve next level of quality. You must try this one out.












Sander Joon
08. Apr, 2007
Hi,
Very useful tutorial for making underwater scenes.
Thanks!
Andrew
10. Apr, 2007
Cool Vid,
Andrew Kramer
VC
Serge Hamad
17. Apr, 2007
Yeah, very cool vid
Bill Oneal
17. Apr, 2007
Yeah, you right Serge,it`s cool
Dave
17. May, 2007
I’m using AE 5.5 Pro Bundle and do not have CC Fast Radial Blur effect. Is there a way to do this without that effect?
Maltaannon
01. Jun, 2007
yes. you may try using traditional radial blur effect, and probably some blending modes
antek cryst
02. Aug, 2007
świetne!
W końcu ktoś w polszy robi tutki do AE.
Pozdrawiam
george
14. Aug, 2007
Very nice! And hey! When Andrew Kramer said for some tutorial and some work that is cool – it’s something! Keep on with your nice work!
I have proposal for every one visitor of this site, and for the owner of course. Lets talk about hardware needed for work with graphic. I’m working on TV for 12 years and didn’t yet found ‘the right one’ configuration. Every time there is ’something that could be better’ and/or is not working the best way with some other thing in that box called PC. Interested?
ftown
21. Aug, 2007
it would be cool if you could put a fractal effect on the light beams themselves, and then animate those fractals. It would add another layer of complexity and really see the shot. maybe project them by using a gobo on front of another light? great vid by the way, thanks for sharing the info.
Craig T
13. Sep, 2007
Great tutorial, I have used this at work many times since I first visited your website. I look forward to seeing more froom you. I’ll be back for more!
Regards, Craig
Tobias
22. Oct, 2007
Realy neat effect!
Vinh
15. Feb, 2008
It looks like background video on Window Vista…really cool !
Richard
28. Apr, 2008
Nice
Shavkat
25. Jul, 2008
Prety nice Tut Well Done
I’m from Uzbekistan
Hafeez
01. Aug, 2008
Hi, Lovely tip and a great effect. I was wondering if the time emitting can fall on some Text or another layer and act like a light effect. Possible?
imon
19. Aug, 2008
Hi, thanks for the very useful tutorial. I’m having some trouble trying to modify the angle of the rays. I want them to be more vertical as if the light source was higher up, but somehow I just can’t make it work. Any ideas?
Maltaannon
19. Aug, 2008
yes. if you’re using CC Radial Fast Blur than you need to make your comp bigger, because the source point can’t read pixels if it’s outside the comp. As an alternative solution you can use Trapcode Shine instead.
sliman (arab)
16. Nov, 2009
very good
thank you maltaannon
sliman
16. Nov, 2009
i have cs3 ?
Download: Tutorial project file (After Effects (((CS2))) !!!
Rob
02. Dec, 2009
Hey, great tutorial!
I was wondering.. when you say in this tutorial you cant use the background as its a volume light.. Im just trying to apply this over a painted background. How would i go about this.
Sorry im just trying to get used to this stuff
Jerzy Drozda Jr
02. Dec, 2009
You just need to close the Light itself in it’s own comp. In this tutorial I’d grab the first two layers and precompose them. Then I could turn the BG on.
джaн
05. Jan, 2010
Только вчера на эту тему думал, так что пост определенно в тему!
ranz
09. Feb, 2010
i wanna marry u..u r awesome after effect teacher..
Jerzy Drozda Jr
09. Feb, 2010
I hope you’re a hot chick with green eyes. :)
valga tamizhan
09. Feb, 2010
unngal ‘tutorial’ migavum nalla irukirathu..nandri..vanakkam
ninggal enna pada eyakunar ah????
alpaproductions
08. Jul, 2010
Very useful. WOW!!
Thank you very much!
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Chris Vinson
21. Aug, 2010
Really nice, and easy too. Thanks so much for sharing.