Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Recreate the legendary "Warp Stars" from Star Trek: The Next Generation using only native tools in Adobe After Effects.

While ILM’s John Knoll originally used physical slitscan photography to create the Enterprise-D’s warp jump, we can achieve that same organic, colorful trailing look using CC Particle World and the Echo effect.

What you’ll learn:

- How to set up a 3D particle emitter and camera for the perfect "forward-motion" perspective.

- Using Advanced Composition settings (Shutter Angle & Samples) to mimic real-world camera motion blur.

- The "Echo Stacking" technique to create colorful Red, Blue, and Green light trails.

- Finishing touches with CC Radial Fast Blur for that soft, glowing 1980s broadcast look.

This is part of my series on the history of Slitscan and VFX. If you missed the deep dive into how this was done in 1987 without computers, check out the history video here: youtu.be/qKOAOzVHvFQ



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*⬇️ Download the project:*
- Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/s/c69c918015


*🎁 Bonus: Free step-by-step PDF:*
- Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/s/78413d4fe6




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*🔖Chapters*
0:00 - A lost episode?
0:50 - Setting up the Star Particle Emitter
3:12 - Advanced Composition settings
4:00 - The "Long Exposure" Echo Trick



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

#AfterEffects #StarTrekVFX #VFXTutorial #MotionGraphics #Slitscan #filmmaking
#adobecommunityexperts

#AdobeCommunityExperts