How to Animate a Door Closing in After Effects

Learn how to animate a realistic door-closing effect in After Effects using Roto Brush, anchor point adjustment, 3D layers, and Bezier Warp.

Introduction

Animating a closing door is a useful technique for cinematic transitions, visual storytelling, and surreal motion graphics. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to separate a door from its background and animate it closing realistically using built-in After Effects tools.

Step 1: Import the Door Image

Go to File → Import → File, then import your image of an open door and place it on the timeline. Step 2: Duplicate the Layer

Duplicate the door layer and rename the bottom layer Background. This layer will remain static while the door animates on top.

Step 3: Isolate the Door

Double-click the top layer to open the Layer Panel, select the door area, and use the Roto Brush Tool (Alt/Option + W) to isolate the door. Once finished, press Freeze to lock the selection.Step 4: Set the Anchor Point

Select the Pan Behind Tool (Y) and move the anchor point to the side of the door where it is attached to the wall. This ensures the door rotates naturally from its hinge.Step 5: Enable 3D Layer

Turn the door layer into a 3D layer to allow realistic rotation and perspective changes during the animation.

Step 6: Apply Bezier Warp

Apply the Bezier Warp effect from the Effects & Presets panel to the door layer to simulate perspective distortion as the door closes.

Step 7: Set Initial Keyframes

At the beginning of the composition, enable keyframes for all Bezier Warp parameters, as well as Scale and Orientation.Step 8: Animate the Door Closing

Move the CTI to the middle of the composition and adjust the Bezier Warp, Scale, and Orientation values until the door appears realistically closed

Step 9: Preview the Animation

Preview the animation and fine-tune the timing and distortion values to improve realism.Conclusion

By combining Roto Brush, proper anchor point placement, 3D transformation, and Bezier Warp, you can create a convincing door-closing animation directly in After Effects. This technique works well for cinematic scenes, transitions, and creative visual effects without the need for 3D software.