Create Particles Along a Path | After Effects Tutorial (No Plugins)

[@SonduckFilm]

Please be sure to drop a like, it truly helps! ► 1400+ Templates and Titles in our Motion Graphics Pro Pack: bit.ly/MGPPPACK1400 ► 5000+ Templates For After Effects and Premiere Pro: bit.ly/5000Templates

[@iOne0307]

hold alt as you click the icon stopwatch position X, your welcome

[@mazkhan5536]

thanks bro i wasted my 15 minutes finding the solution

[@ClaytonCrispim]

Thanks a million!!

[@IlariaDeLorenzi]

GOSH THANKS

[@binuramanjithawickramanaya7622]

You save the day man!

[@maramiranello]

that's what he said 2:54 Alt click

[@rebeccacooper3509]

Absolutely brilliant tutorial. Perfect for what I needed, really easy to follow and worked great first time. Thank you so so much!

[@RapunzelASMR]

I do everything right but when I create the new particles layer, and do the particle world, nothing shows up on screen. no particles. I see the layer etc...

[@Cuyoya]

Ez pz, thanks 👍 Might wanna check the expression for Z though. Had to mess around with it because the copy/paste one you gave seemed to be firing errors off with that 2 for some reason. Got it working fine though.

[@erufenrito66]

I spent an entire afternoon trying to figure out a way to orient the particle emitter to the path. You are the ONLY person who thought to include that, in like 3 hours worth of tutorials I watched. I don't get why nobody but you saw the need to do this, but there it is. ty for this.

[@BeMyGhost92]

I didnt get it how?

[@AkhanAli]

Awesome video! I'm a Graphic Design student who's very interested in motion graphics and I love watching your channel to get some inspiration and trying your tutorials myself. Keep doing what you do!

[@christinecheahenjou0103]

same ayeeee!

[@GranFlatin]

Thanks for the tutorial, I'm really grateful for all the awesome stuff that you teach on the channel! Just a small request though. Can you perhaps try to zoom in on the panels when you adjust and tweak stuff? Even on fullscreen on a fairly large monitor, the interface looks small and cluttered and it can get difficult at times. Keep up the great work!

[@LoganPinney]

I likenhos style of no nonsense full speed work along as fast as you can then rewind. Really really helping me learn.

[@mikemcloughlin5267]

Thank you for your amazing tutorial! I have a quick question: am I allowed to copy and paste these expressions into my work project for both commercial and non-commercial use?

[@aah_rooj7211]

u are the best i only understand ur tutorials

[@nicklaws7009]

This is really useful, thank you! The only issue I've found is that the null doesn't follow the path exactly, it is about 10/20 pixels out so when using quite a close particle stream and other paths it is really noticeable - any idea why this would be? Something in the expressions maybe?

[@trant.l.h.7235]

Josh, it is an amazing tutorial, I really enjoy learning, wow! the knowledge that you have, Thank you!

[@BOSSVISUALS]

W video. I cant wait to use this on some of my future projects. Thank you for this tutorial!

[@jeremyjohngraham]

Thanks man! I'm nearing the end of a project where particle world comes into play; this really covered an effect I was hoping to figure out.

[@arashhooshangnezhad3228]

Where did these expressions come from ???? and my project and paths are different! so this video basically works for just this tutorial and not anything else!

[@ankajoubert5394]

Josh this a wonderful tutorial using for a Class in AE on Particles, Thank You! You are truly amazing!

[@Daniel700]

I love this guy - simple ... but clever

[@Radx21]

Brilliant. That's exactly what I needed

[@lloyddweku]

Great turorial Josh. Bur when I past the mask path in the position it doesn't.

[@jezreel32]

Thank you mate! You're a lifesaver!

[@GibranLahud]

Thanks, Mr. Quack

[@alejandraurena3533]

Thank you so much! I have learned a lot through you

[@bluedeskfan2754]

Thanks. Saved me a lot of time

[@thehoundofhorror5120]

Exactly what I needed. Thanks 👍🏼

[@gameplayyzz]

Thank you, it was really helpful

[@jeric_synergy8581]

Is there an explanation of the Expressions used here? I can't quite fathom it, simple as it is.

[@jacksonlamme]

You dont need to copy and paste any code you can attach the simulation to the curve just like you attached the null object

[@TheArsenalgunner28]

This is a freaking amazing tutorial dude, thank you sooo much. And thank you for remembering to verbally state what keys you push at certain times, like alt click for the positioning. Makes it so much easier to follow. If I could ask one question, is there a way to add new particle shapes? Like 5 pointed stars and stuff?

[@matthewrazz]

Try this: Import the png of the image that you want to be the particle. Drag that png on to the comp and shut the eye off on its layer. Next, Inside of the Effect Controls twirl down "particle" and next to "particle type" choose "textured square". Then twirl down "texture". "Texture Layer" gives you the option to choose the source from your comp to be the particle.

[@rubendominguez9028]

Thanx for your video. I really appreciate it.

[@mdoroti29]

Hey, good video but it is awfully difficult for me to see the text on your screen on a 15.6 laptop. Could you zoom in on them? It would help a lot! Thanks

[@garethellison01]

Thank you so much for this! Amazing tutorial!

[@fedepalacios9329]

AMAZING! thanks for support whit the tutorial

[@jillandersson6732]

I cant seem to get how i should copy and paste "target = thisComp.layer("Null 1"); (target.position[0]-(thisComp.width/2))/thisComp.width" in to it. It doesnt seem to work. Can you help me get it please??

[@rabyaahmed7215]

me too, what did you do ?

[@lalucoo]

I found out you need to alt click the stop watch next to "Position" on the left

[@TooneySA]

can you make the particles follow the path and then split off into multiple directions?

[@nouhadomais6421]

I wasnt able to do this step regarding the pasting part of the expressions you mentioned .. its actually not pasting not in the effect controls neither on the time line .. please can you tell me what to do in this case

[@quyenblack]

awesome tutorial bro

[@gavinrugama6795]

Im a graphic design student and I really like your tutorials I've been following quite a few to help with some projects. But theres some like this where you don't explain how you made the title. I wanted to see how you did the title as well but can't exactly do that if I can't download. On your website after I press download a 404 page pops up.

[@sundownstories]

Thanks man, super helpful!

[@WheelsAroundtheSun]

Excellent Tutorial! Easy to follow and had fun trying to create a new animated logo!

[@nouhadomais6421]

Hi dear, i was trying to apply your way but it couldn’t be pasted thr expressions on thr xy position (effects) may you help me or suggest another way?

[@tshemollogoxhlongwane3036]

Your tutorials are amazing !!! Thank you so much

[@claraelia]

MAGIC!!!😍

[@baconleaf3339]

After copying/pasting my mask path to the null object's position the entire path gets offset. It keeps the path shape and it follows it, but the entire shape is moved for whatever reason. Just confused

[@ashkrell741]

Happens to me often too and i don't know the problem. If it does, I restart AE. If problem still exists, i just create another null object and parent the old one to it and and move it to its proper position.

[@AMeakinProduction]

This helped, thanks a lot!

[@william254mwangi4]

thanx bro ,, really appreciate

[@VonKushmarck]

You my friend, have earned +1 sub

[@SonduckFilm]

Thanks for subbing :)

[@verdadfinal9861]

Great tutorial and channel. My only complain is the is to hard to see the value you input because the letters are so small to see them.

[@briancampbell1413]

I really want to buy that pack from CinePunch but can you just clarify if i purchase the extended licence does that mean I can use elements within the pack multiple times for different end products?

[@fernandorodriguez3734]

I’m using this effect in 2022 it seems the expressions are not working. Can I get some help? Thank yo so much!

[@Foervraengd]

is it possible to do this without using expressions? I legit cannot stand expressions because I have zero coding skills.

[@KamranKhan-hc2sp]

Best tutorials I dont know you but I love you

[@amynoy1164]

such a fast tutorial thank you!

[@sekimichy]

Awesome tutorial thank you :D

[@vikachu19]

is this possible with trapcode particular > . < thank u sm for all the amazing tutorials !

[@mayshariff5852]

you"re basically rapping, thanks for the tutorial

[@joshterpak6451]

Hey! Thank you so much for the video. Fantastic content, you're an awesome teacher! Just wondering - are your project file downloads still available? The download buttons don't seem to be connected to working links.

[@nikhil_mahesan]

Thank u very much... perfect tutorial

[@nawarmaksousa7915]

Thank You For the Great trick 😍😍😍😍😎😎😎😎😋😋😋😋

[@padraicconway2452]

PC user here, I get lost when you first copy the position of the mask. I've tried multiple times but it never pastes, and I don't get any sort of keyframes. Anyone know what I might be doing wrong?

[@anshulgupta3735]

Nice tutorial Joshua (Y) It would be great if you could explain to me what those expressions doing to the properties? Thanks :)

[@pratikkhara5167]

Legend! This is gold

[@EvenStarMN]

Great. Best particle effect creation without third party / trap code particular /

[@Weddingplanes]

Thank you so much!

[@harinivfx3389]

Hey, what if we are creating particle system in case. how will this expression work there?. can you help me on that

[@DmitryLaierCrypto]

THX MAN! You saved my time!!!!

[@ulyssesadams3453]

i followed this tutorial but my particles seem really mashed together and not really spread out like yours..any advice?

[@64Gik]

Josh, what could be going wrong and my particles (object) doesn't follow the path? Thanks in advance

[@Baldoxxx4000]

I am not going to remember anything after this tutorial ^_^ i didnt know expression scripts are a big part of AE!

[@kelvinwilson9217]

Thank you this is very detailed and well presented. Would it be possible then to track a hand movement and then apply particles to that?

[@vetrisivakumar4998]

Hello Joshua. How to do the logo reveal that comes in the beginning of the video that is the SONDUCKFILM's logo reveal ? Please tell me.

[@xavierlewier]

thank you sir

[@Adriana_mg]

Love this!! Thank you so much!

[@olekksandr]

you can download the project from the link to Google drive and send it to me, please

[@BeMyGhost92]

I got up to 2:05 and the lines are somewhere else and not on the path position?

[@EDDIEGARAGE]

Well done nice & easy I done it thank you.

[@vrolog]

Thank you! 😊🙏

[@cliffbrathwaite8012]

superb! thank you!

[@caiotassi3041]

Hey Josh, really good videos! Loving it! How do you made your name poping in letter by letter effect? I love it! So smooth

[@Bambi2402]

Amazing!

[@mtebid5658]

how to add this particles in unity I wonder. It is posible to use in unity like background spark effect ?

[@BogdanEchoMilosevic]

Thank you for this tutorial, it was helpful to create a trail. Is it at all possible to animate particles like that to go along a path very slowly, for a full 6 minutes, but have them leave a trail behind them that doesn't vanish, and instead keeps generating particles? When I increase longevity to 700 seconds, and tune velocity, resistance and birth rate to fit the width of my trail, the particles basically become motionless. Is there any way to fix this and make the particles move?

[@thelueroifan1]

Hey I know it’s 8 months later but you simply need to duplicate your path and connect it

[@timonvader]

Hey! This has been super helpful, thank you so much for making this! I did have another question - is there a way to i.e. draw or import shapes yourself to use as particles?

[@yaxis7267]

Yes, select Texture square in particle type

[@ДмитрийХарламов-ь8м]

Allways the best!)

[@LoganPinney]

You are so slick with Ae Man! Ill be hitting you up on the Discord some day when im better at making stuff like you! Could you use this simulated effect to make fireworks? Im planning on a title similar to this but instead of a path (or in addition to the path) i am going to creat 7 fireworks (1 central, 3 scaled and symetrically palced around the main one) Kewp the up the BRILLIANT work! Thank you so so much Josh👊

[@vandanaagarwal82]

Nice video......how can we this without expression....tell me

[@stevenholland500]

The title says, "NO PLUGINS". so what to do if you don't have these "expressions" on hand?

[@jimbothepoet]

beautiful!

[@girlinthemirror_music]

Hello! The tutorial works fine when the camera is in its default position but when I rotate it to the left along the Y-axis, I can't make the movement work. The particles are good but the lens flare was always off the screen. They were not moving in the same position. Can anyone help how to fix this?

[@shikharchawla1605]

expression for z position is giving error. What to do?

[@MarioGarcia-nd2kz]

thanks bro

[@prithachanda9803]

Can someone please help me? I am unable to add the expression even if I click the stopwatch :'(

[@srccretdude1238]

i did this tutorial like 10 times already and my particles follow the masked path but do not do it leaving a trail behind, they are just in a centered positions kind of like a tornado..... anyone can help lol.......

[@ruaraidhwilliams8631]

I'm havin' the same issue..!

[@ruaraidhwilliams8631]

On closer inspection, it may be the 'extra angle' key frame expression...? Try removing it.

[@maur5145]

one year late, lol but just increase the longevity

[@srccretdude1238]

@@maur5145 i appreciate you reply nonetheless. i gave up but ill probably try it again and get back into editing thank you.

[@pathartley119]

the 3rd expression keeps giving me an error - even after I made it a 3d layer ??

[@nvikulina]

same here. Can anyone help?

[@AukePoelman1]

How would one do this if the shape consists of more than 5 paths?

[@vrushaliaher4582]

Hi Josh! After I draw my path is there a way to move the path to another location on the comp; I need to move the whole path a little to the right...is there a way to do that?

[@kpickett9128]

there is a way to offset the whole path left, right, up or down! you can replace target.position[0] with (target.position[0] +/- offset). for example, to offset my path 200px to the right, i used the following code in the x expression: target = thisComp.layer("Path"); ((target.position[0] + 200) - (thisComp.width/2))/thisComp.width; this would also work with a vertical offset, i could move the particle's entire path up by using this code in the y expression: target = thisComp.layer("Path"); ((target.position[1] - 300)-(thisComp.height/2))/thisComp.width;

[@redcrown9288]

:target = thisComp.layer("Null 1"); (target.position[0]-(thisComp.width/2))/thisComp.width >>>>> How to apply above code into Producer/PositionX? copy and paste didn't work?

[@ebbulk]

Anyone has a tip for me? I don't seem to get the 'tail', particles are just flying in all directions. Thanks!

[@dddasso]

Wow wow! Thank you so mush Bro!

[@sakuharu5459]

can u add the key command at screen pls? im not an english native so i try to follow mostly by looking at the screen lol :'D

[@briancampbell1413]

great Tutorial by the way :)

[@munee-]

thankyouuuuu!!!