Auto-Trace + Scribble in After Effects

by | Mar 7, 2023 | Adobe After Effects, Tutorials

Adobe After Effects CC 2023: Auto-Trace + Scribble in After Effects

Description:
This tutorial will show you how to Auto-Trace a Shape Layer and add the Scribble Effect to create a hand-drawn style animation in Adobe After Effects CC 2023.

Kraft Paper Animation:
https://elements.envato.com/kraft-paper-pack-4K5922K

Effects Used:

  1. Auto-Trace (Layer Menu)
  2. Scribble (Effects & Presets)


Chapters:
00:00  Intro: About This Tutorial
00:15  Create A Shape (Ellipse)
00:29  Align Panel
00:39  Add Auto-Trace To Layer
00:59  Add Scribble Effect (Effects & Presets)
01:26  Effect Controls: Customize Auto-Trace
01:54  Effect Controls: Stroke Options
02:26  Animate Scribble (End Property)
02:52  Keyframe Assistant: Time-Reverse Keyframes
03:07  Add Turbulent Displace
03:21  Add Wiggle Expression

Software Used:
Adobe After Effects CC 2023 (Click To Try or Buy)

How To Add Auto-Trace in Adobe After Effects CC 2023:

  1. Create a new Composition (Cmd/Ctrl + N)
  2. Add Shape Layer (Ellipse with 5px Stroke, No Fill)
  3. Select Shape Layer
  4. Go to Layer Menu at the top
  5. Select ’Auto-Trace’
  6. Make Sure the ‘Work Area’ is ticked
  7. Click ‘OK’


How To Add Scribble Effect to Auto-Trace Layer:

  1. Select ‘Auto-Trace’ layer
  2. Go to ‘Effects & Presets’ panel
  3. Search for ‘Scribble’
  4. Select and drag onto Auto-trace Layer.
  5. Go to ‘Effect Controls’ Panel
  6. Change Color to Orange
  7. Stroke Width 2.0
  8. Curviness: 20
  9. Curviness Variation: 32%
  10. Spacing: 25
  11. Spacing Variation: 1
  12. Path Overlap -12
  13. Path Overlap Variation: 66
  14. Start: 20%
  15. End: 0….100%
  16. Wiggle Type: Jumpy
  17. Wiggles Per Second: 2
  18. Random Seed: 1
  19. Composite: On Transparent


How To Add Turbulent Displace to Original Circle Layer:

  1. Select Original Shape Layer (Ellipse with 5px Stroke)
  2. Go to ‘Effects & Presets’ panel
  3. Search for Turbulent Displace
  4. Click and drag onto Circle layer
  5. Go to ‘Effect Controls’ Panel
  6. Hold Option/Alt and click on ‘Evolution’ stopwatch
  7. Enter wiggle(5,10)
  8. Click in empty space
  9. Tap Spacebar to preview animation

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