Create dripping metal sparks in After Effects CS6

One of the most common movie effects you see is dripping sparks. In the aftermath of a disaster, or on a failing spaceship, sparks fly. Many users resort to third-party plugins to create complex particles to achieve this effect, but there’s no need. Although plugins can be useful, it’s often their presets that make them look impressive. You can apply the same principles to the basic After Effects CS6 plug-ins to create a strong effect.

To generate these sparks you need to adjust the settings of Particle Systems II, so that the particles flow fast and freely, but with some resistance from the air. By reducing colour, rounding their shape and making them small, you get the right look. By using the Add Composite Mode you create extra hints of sparkle and glow. When you animate showers of sparks, by increasing the velocity and birth rate for a fraction of a second, it creates an extremely realistic look. Finish this by adding motion blur, and the effect is ready to be composited into your scene. You don’t need to make this effect noticeable for it to be useful. Dripping sparks work best when they’re barely noticed, just to add texture to a scene, so don’t be too heavy handed.

See the finished effect at the end of this tutorial.

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