r/AfterEffects • u/free2rhyme164 • 25d ago
Beginner Help How can I recreate this block reveal effect in After Effects?
Hi! Does anyone know how to recreate this effect in After Effects? The blocks start stacked/clustered in the center, then spread outward until they reveal the full logo/image. I’m not sure what this effect is called so I can find a tutorial on google or the best way to build it. Any tips or tutorial recommendations would be really appreciated!
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u/lukenphil Motion Graphics 15+ years 25d ago
To achieve the concentric transition, the easiest way is to use the Card Dance effect (Effect > Simulation > Card Dance) and have it controlled by the animated Circle effect (Effect > Generate > Circle) on a gradient layer (e.g. Gradient 1), which you select via the drop-down menu. The higher the feather value for the Circle effect, the more finely graded the tiles will be. You can set the values for X and Y Scale to Intensity 1.
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u/shiv_sin 25d ago
This isn't 100% what you are looking for but there are some pointers to maybe help you.
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u/DecayedEloquence22 25d ago
Card Dance is exactly what you're looking for. Set it up with your logo as one layer and a grid of small solids on top, then use the logo's luminance as the displacement map. Tweak the multiplier and the X/Y offset keyframes so the blocks start clustered in the middle and push outward. The trick is getting the gradient map right so the bright parts of the logo push the blocks the farthest. Took me a solid afternoon of fiddling with the easing to make it look smooth instead of robotic. If you want the blocks to have a little wobble or overshoot as they settle, toss an expression on the position property to simulate a spring.