Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
A quick tutorial showing how to use shape layers and CC Ball Action to create a classic sci-fi / electron microscope DNA strand.
Deoxyribonucleic acid was first isolated in 1869! Though it wasn't really understood until 1953 when Watson and Crick published their articles in Nature detailing its structure. In April 2023, scientists, based on new evidence, concluded that Rosalind Franklin was a contributor and "equal player" in the discovery process of DNA.
I'm not sure how scientifically accurate my version of DNA is, but it should look familiar to audiences for illustration purposes. With all the new 3D features being added to After Effects, this also might end up being replaced with just importing a 3D model, but this is a free, quick way to create a strand of genetic material.
And I've managed to make the whole tutorial without a single Jeff Goldblum / Jurassic Park joke, I just didn't stop to think about whether I should.
#AfterEffects #science #tutorial
*Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: redbubble.com/people/ShiveringCactus/shop*
*Project download (minus the water background, which I got from pexels.com ):*
dropbox.com/scl/fi/xig85ybp80sn9e7kis4qa/DNA.zip?rlkey=jfohuhbbpz7eldt9vcum9z1ls&st=1o9x4u93&dl=1
*Buy me a coffee?: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
I'm an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all
#AdobeCommunityExperts
A quick tutorial showing how to use shape layers and CC Ball Action to create a classic sci-fi / electron microscope DNA strand.
Deoxyribonucleic acid was first isolated in 1869! Though it wasn't really understood until 1953 when Watson and Crick published their articles in Nature detailing its structure. In April 2023, scientists, based on new evidence, concluded that Rosalind Franklin was a contributor and "equal player" in the discovery process of DNA.
I'm not sure how scientifically accurate my version of DNA is, but it should look familiar to audiences for illustration purposes. With all the new 3D features being added to After Effects, this also might end up being replaced with just importing a 3D model, but this is a free, quick way to create a strand of genetic material.
And I've managed to make the whole tutorial without a single Jeff Goldblum / Jurassic Park joke, I just didn't stop to think about whether I should.
#AfterEffects #science #tutorial
*Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: redbubble.com/people/ShiveringCactus/shop*
*Project download (minus the water background, which I got from pexels.com ):*
dropbox.com/scl/fi/xig85ybp80sn9e7kis4qa/DNA.zip?rlkey=jfohuhbbpz7eldt9vcum9z1ls&st=1o9x4u93&dl=1
*Buy me a coffee?: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
I'm an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all
#AdobeCommunityExperts





![Liquid Morphing Motion in After Effects
_I’m not too sure if it is liquid motion but it’s probably the best description I can give of it. I want to have a 2D circle to fall as a liquid reach the bottom of the frame and them come back up in a square; all in 2D._
Jp Pelc on @creativecow back in 2014.
_[For] nearly 10 years ago, [this has] been a lifesaver. I use this technique all the time! You are a true champion in this world of motion graphics_
Jp Pelc in 2024.
This tutorial is one of those hidden gems, a really simple tip that makes a big difference to all sorts of projects. Im going to follow the steps that Jp Pelc spelled out, to have a shape change from a circle to a square, but rather than animate the path (which is a viable option) Im going to use Fast Box Blur and Simple Choker to create an effective morph.
Ill also demonstrate how the same technique can morph text or create drips.
*Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: https://www.redbubble.com/people/ShiveringCactus/shop*
*Or buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
*Center Shape Layer script: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gm38jcnmwndn2sp19dfsc/Centre-Shape-by-ShiveringCactus.zip?rlkey=kdvcpkldj4bii9xn8nu5szi1b&dl=1*
#AfterEffects #tutorial #liquid
*Chapters*
0:00 Morph animation
1:04 Centering a shape layer
4:21 Adjustment Layer effects
Im an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all
#AdobeCommunityExperts Liquid Morphing Motion in After Effects](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vpd9n5d3thc/mqdefault.jpg)




