Advance Use of Displacement Map in After Effects | Technique & Tutorial

In this tutorial, we’ll create an incredible radial ink swirl transition using Adobe After Effects. This effect is primarily driven by the Displacement Map effect, but we’ll use a unique setup to push pixels outward in a mesmerizing, expanding swirl motion. If you’re interested in dynamic transitions that add artistic flair to your projects, this guide is for you.

Let’s dive into After Effects and explore how to achieve this stunning effect step by step.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Composition

1. Create a New Composition
   • Set the resolution to 3840×2160 (4K) for better clarity.
   • Change the bit depth to 16-bit for smoother gradients.
   • Import a flattened image as the base layer.
2. Create an Adjustment Layer
   • This will hold the Displacement Map effect.
3. Create a Solid Layer for Displacement Reference
   • Make a new solid layer and set its dimensions to 4000×4000 pixels.

Step 2: Creating the Displacement Map

1. Apply a Gradient Ramp Effect
   • This effect will help create controlled directional movement.
   • Set the first gradient ramp:
     • Top color: 100% Green (Hue: 120, Saturation: 100, Brightness: 100).
     • Bottom color: Black.
2. Add a Second Gradient Ramp
   • This time, create a horizontal gradient:
     • Left color: 100% Red (Hue: 0, Saturation: 100, Brightness: 100).
     • Right color: Black.
   • Adjust the gradient points:
     • Start Point: (0,0)
     • End Point: (4000,0)
3. Blend the Two Gradients
   • Since Gradient Ramp doesn’t allow blend modes, manually adjust blending:
     • Increase Blend with Original to 50%.
     • Use a Levels Effect to bring back contrast.
     • Adjust Input White to half the original value.
4. Check the Channels
   • Toggle the Red Channel to confirm the left-to-right gradient.
   • Toggle the Green Channel to check the top-to-bottom gradient.
5. Apply the Displacement Map
   • Set the Displacement Map Effect to reference your gradient layer.
   • Increase horizontal and vertical displacement to 600 pixels.
   • This will create an outward push instead of a standard left/right distortion.

Step 3: Adding Fractal Noise for Swirling Displacement

1. Create a New Solid Layer
   • This will act as the Noise Map.
   • Apply Fractal Noise Effect and tweak settings:
     • Fractal Type: Turbulent Sharp.
     • Invert: Enabled.
     • Contrast: 150.
     • Brightness: 30.
     • Complexity: Reduce to 3.
     • Sub Rotation: 60° (to break uniformity).
   • Animate the Scale of Fractal Noise from 60% to 85% over 120 frames.
2. Apply Shift Channels for Transparency
   • Use Shift Channels Effect.
   • Set Alpha From: Luminance.
   • Transparent areas will remain unaffected.
3. Apply Color Blending
   • Use the Calculations Effect.
   • Set Second Layer to reference the Gradient Layer.
   • Blend Mode: Copy.

Now, instead of a flat distortion, we have swirling, outward-displacing ink movement.

Step 4: Adding Multiple Displacement Layers for Depth

1. Duplicate Noise and Displacement Maps
   • Rename layers to Slow Noise Map and Slow Displacement Map.
   • Create a second set: Fast Noise Map and Fast Displacement Map.
2. Modify Fast Noise Map
   • Change Fractal Noise Random Seed.
   • Lower Brightness to 0.
   • Increase Scale animation (start: 70%, end: 150%).
   • Set Displacement Value: 800 pixels.
3. Add Small Ink Droplets for More Detail
   • Duplicate again for Detail Noise Map.
   • Change Fractal Type to Small Bumps.
   • Reduce Scale (Start: 15%, End: 40%).
   • Set Displacement Value: 2000 pixels.

With these variations, larger distortions move slower while smaller ones move faster, creating depth and complexity.

Step 5: Creating the Transition Matte

1. Create a New Solid Layer
   • Name it Matte.
   • Apply Fractal Noise Effect.
   • Change Fractal Type: Dynamic Twist.
   • Set Sub Rotation: 220°.
   • Animate Evolution (0 to 2 full rotations).
   • Scale Animation (Start: 60%, End: 140%).
   • Set Random Seed.
2. Extract Lightness for Transition
   • Apply Extract Effect.
   • Adjust Black Point for a gradual fade.
   • Set a keyframe animation to wipe across the composition.
3. Apply the Matte as a Stencil Alpha
   • This will act as the transition’s mask.
   • Adjust layer order to integrate with displacement layers.

Final Touches

• Easing Keyframes: Smoothens animation flow.
• Tweaking Opacity: Helps control intensity.
• Fine-Tuning Noise Values: Adjusts for different styles.

And that’s it! You now have a dynamic, expanding ink transition powered by radial displacement maps and fractal noise.

A Video Demonstration of The Displacement Map here

Conclusion

By creatively using the Displacement Map Effect and Gradient Blending, we unlocked a powerful way to generate artistic transitions. This technique can be adapted for other effects like liquid explosions, surreal morphs, and abstract animations.

Experiment with different settings and make it your own! Stay tuned for more After Effects tutorials. Happy animating!