Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
No plugins needed for this tutorial.
In this video, I use 2.5D shapes combined with an Adjustment Layer to create a 3D, adaptable event horizon as seen in StarGate SG-1. Instead of using a 3D model and distorting it into the unstable vortex (like most Kawoosh tutorials) I experiment with creating an apparent 3D object and take advantage of how Adjustment Layers apply effects to the layers beneath them. If nothing else, this demonstrates some of what's possible with After Effects alone. Plus the rendering time is tiny compared to a 3D package!
To achieve the final look, I use all the following effects: Fractal Noise, Roughen Edges, Bevel Alpha, CC Blobbylize, Tritone and Ripple.
*Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: redbubble.com/people/ShiveringCactus/shop*
*Or buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
*Project download: dropbox.com/s/ippd05nfof1vtvm/Stargate.zip?dl=1*
#AfterEffects #tutorial #stargate #stargatesg1 ( @GateWorldDotNet @StargateCommand )
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*Chapters*
0:00 What we're making
3:00 Timings (subject to chznge)
5:47 A clever Expression
8:20 Adjusting the puppet
14:55 Wormhole appears
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
No plugins needed for this tutorial.
In this video, I use 2.5D shapes combined with an Adjustment Layer to create a 3D, adaptable event horizon as seen in StarGate SG-1. Instead of using a 3D model and distorting it into the unstable vortex (like most Kawoosh tutorials) I experiment with creating an apparent 3D object and take advantage of how Adjustment Layers apply effects to the layers beneath them. If nothing else, this demonstrates some of what's possible with After Effects alone. Plus the rendering time is tiny compared to a 3D package!
To achieve the final look, I use all the following effects: Fractal Noise, Roughen Edges, Bevel Alpha, CC Blobbylize, Tritone and Ripple.
*Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: redbubble.com/people/ShiveringCactus/shop*
*Or buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
*Project download: dropbox.com/s/ippd05nfof1vtvm/Stargate.zip?dl=1*
#AfterEffects #tutorial #stargate #stargatesg1 ( @GateWorldDotNet @StargateCommand )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Chapters*
0:00 What we're making
3:00 Timings (subject to chznge)
5:47 A clever Expression
8:20 Adjusting the puppet
14:55 Wormhole appears
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










![Don’t Buy the Wrong Computer for After Effects! (Specs Explained)
Thinking of buying a new computer for Adobe After Effects?
In this video I break down exactly what to look for when shopping for a computer that can handle After Effects in 2026. I discuss laptop or desktops, Windows or Apple, graphics cards, storage, RAM etc...
I briefly explain how After Effects works, which gives us some clues as to what hardware to prioritise (spoiler: its RAM), I then try to answer some frequent questions:
✅ RAM vs CPU cores – which matters more for After Effects
✅ GPU choices – does Nvidia still beat AMD?
✅ Laptops vs desktops – is upgradeability more important than RAM?
✅ My free scoring spreadsheet you can use to compare potential computers
Whether you’re a motion designer, 3D artist, editor, or student, I hope this guide will help you buy smart and get the most performance out of your budget.
*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*
*⬇️ Download the spreadsheet here*
(Pay What You Want, including free):
- KoFi : https://ko-fi.com/s/1e1cfe4f84
- Fourthwall : https://shiveringcactus-shop.fourthwall.com/products/scorecard
*📌 Warren Heatons Mac advice post:*
https://community.adobe.com/t5/video-hardware-discussions/real-world-video-editing-with-new-mac-studios-m3-ultra-base-96-ram-vs-mac-studio-m4-max-64-gb-ram/td-p/15262312
*🔖Chapters*
0:00 Help!
1:13 Explaining how AE renders
1:54 RAM
3:27 CPU / Processor
4:49 Graphics Card
7:42 Hard Drives
9:05 Picking a computer
*📖 References *
Puget Systems (2024) Adobe After Effects Workstation Hardware Recommendations. Available at: https://www.pugetsystems.com/solutions/video-editing-workstations/adobe-after-effects/hardware-recommendations (Accessed: 27 September 2025).
Adobe (2025) Previewing. Available at: https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/after-effects/using/previewing.html
(Accessed: 29 September 2025).
School of Motion (2019), Building the Ultimate After Effects Computer. Available at: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/after-effects-computer (Accessed: 29 September 2025).
T-Sal,Re: Best graphic card for high performance gaming and design [Forum post], Adobe Community – Video Hardware Discussions, posted on (31-05-2024). Available at: https://community.adobe.com/t5/video-hardware-discussions/best-graphic-card-for-high-performance-gaming-and-design/td-p/14646610 (Accessed: 29 September 2025).
Adobe (2025) Advanced 3D renderer [Online]. Available at: https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/advanced-3d-renderer.html#renderer-specific-requirements (Accessed: 29 September 2025).
RjL190365 (2024, 29 April) Re: 4070 Ti Super vs 7900 XTX [Forum post]. Adobe Community – Video Hardware Discussions. Available at: https://community.adobe.com/t5/video-hardware-discussions/4070-ti-super-vs-7900-xtx/m-p/14594957 (Accessed: 29 September 2025).
Adobe (2024) Hardware recommendations for Premiere Pro and After Effects. Available at: https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/premiere-pro/kb/hardware-recommendations.html (Last updated: 14 May 2024, Accessed: 29 September 2025).
@AdobeVideo
#tutorial #gpu #aftereffects
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 Don’t Buy the Wrong Computer for After Effects! (Specs Explained)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xU9tHrJH6KM/mqdefault.jpg)