After Effects: How To Use Cartoon Effect

by | Dec 29, 2022 | Adobe After Effects, Tutorials

After Effects CC 2023: How To Use Cartoon Effect

Solids Folder Basics

Description:
This tutorial will show you how to use the Cartoon Effect in Adobe After Effects CC 2023 to create a comic book/cartoon effect or a line art illustration/find edges styled look.

Keyboard Shortcuts:
Cmd/Ctrl + N:  Create a New Composition
Cmd/Ctrl + D: Split Layers
N: Set End of Work Area
Cmd/Ctrl + S: Save Project

Chapters:
00:00  Intro: About the Tutorial
00:17  Create A New Composition (Cmd/Ctrl + N)
00:24  Add Footage & Align To Center
00:37  Effects & Presets Panel: Cartoon Effect
01:02  Effect Controls: Customize Effect
01:39  Split Layers (Cmd/Ctrl + D)
02:08  Rename Layers (Enter/Return)
02:21  Cartoon Effect: Line Are Illustration Look
02:56  Final Touches & Cheers!

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

How To Use Cartoon Effect (Comic Book or Graphic Novel Look):

  1. Create New Composition (Cmd/Ctrl + N)
  2. Drag video footage on Composition
  3. Select Layer in Layers Panel
  4. Go to Effects & Presets Panel (Window…Effects & Presets)
  5. Search for ‘Cartoon’
  6. Drag Cartoon on Footage
  7. Go to ‘Effect Controls’
  8. Change Render to ‘Fill & Edges’ for the Comic Book look
  9. Change Detail to: 25
  10. Detail Threshold: 10
  11. Shading Steps: 8
  12. Shading Smoothness: 25


How To Split Layers on the Timeline:

  1. Drag playhead to where you want to split the clips
  2. Press Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + D to Split Clips at the Playhead
  3. Press Enter/Return to Rename Layers
  4. Move forward in time 5 seconds or so
  5. Press ’N’ to End the Work Area at the Playhead


How To Use Cartoon Effect (Line Art Illustration or Find Edges):

  1. Create New Composition (Cmd/Ctrl + N)
  2. Drag video footage on Composition
  3. Select Layer in Layers Panel
  4. Go to Effects & Presets Panel (Window…Effects & Presets)
  5. Search for ‘Cartoon’
  6. Drag Cartoon on Footage
  7. Go to ‘Effect Controls’
  8. Change Render to ‘Edges’ for the Comic Book look
  9. Change Detail to: 25
  10. Detail Threshold: 10
  11. Shading Steps: 8
  12. Shading Smoothness: 25

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