How to Create an X-Ray Effect in After Effects

Introduction

The X-ray effect is a popular visual style used in sci-fi, medical, and futuristic videos. It usually features inverted colors, high contrast, glowing highlights, and a slightly digital or scanned look. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to build a convincing X-ray effect in After Effects using only native effects stacked on adjustment layers.

Step 1: Import and Place Your Footage

Go to File → Import → File and import your video. Drag the footage onto the timeline to create a new composition. Step 2: Create the First Adjustment Layer

Go to Layer → New → Adjustment Layer. This layer will define the core X-ray color and contrast.Step 3: Add Tint

From the Effects & Presets panel, apply the Tint effect to the adjustment layer. This simplifies the color range and prepares the image for inversion.

Step 4: Add Invert

Apply the Invert effect to the same adjustment layer. This creates the inverted, X-ray-style luminance.Step 5: Adjust Brightness and Contrast

Add Brightness & Contrast and use these settings as a starting point:

Brightness: 50
Contrast: 60

This enhances visibility and edge definition.

Step 6: Add Glow

Apply the Glow effect:

Glow Threshold: 50
Glow Radius: 45
Glow Intensity: 0.3

Glow adds luminous highlights, which are essential for the X-ray look.

Step 7: Add Mosaic

Apply the Mosaic effect:

Horizontal Blocks: 700
Vertical Blocks: 700

This introduces a subtle digital scanning texture.

Step 8: Apply Tritone

Add the Tritone effect. Set the Midtones color to a light tint of your chosen color (for example, light blue or cyan). This gives the X-ray effect its signature color tone.

Step 9: Create the Second Adjustment Layer

Go to Layer → New → Adjustment Layer. This layer will enhance glow and motion softness.

Step 10: Add Secondary Glow

Apply Glow with these settings:

Glow Threshold: 40
Glow Radius: 100
Glow Intensity: 0.2

This creates a softer, outer glow.

Step 11: Add Gaussian Blur

Apply Gaussian Blur:

Blurriness: 7

This softens harsh edges and blends the glow.

Step 12: Add Posterize Time

Apply Posterize Time:

Frame Rate: 16

This gives the effect a scanned, slightly choppy digital feel.

Step 13: Create the Third Adjustment Layer

Go to Layer → New → Adjustment Layer. This layer adds texture and sharpness.

 

Step 14: Add Scatter

Apply Scatter:

Scatter Amount: 45
Grain: Vertical

This introduces subtle distortion and scan-line motion.

Step 15: Sharpen with Unsharp Mask

Apply Unsharp Mask:

Amount: 65
Radius: 8

This brings back edge clarity lost during blurring. Step 16: Add Fast Box Blur

Apply Fast Box Blur:

Blur Radius: 3
Iterations: 1

This smooths any remaining harsh transitions.

Step 17: Fine-Tune with Curves

Apply Curves and adjust the tonal range to best suit your footage. Focus on enhancing contrast without crushing details. Step 18: Add Noise

Apply the Noise effect:

Amount of Noise: 15

This adds subtle grain, making the effect feel more organic and less clean. Step 19: Preview the Result

Preview the composition and adjust glow intensity, colors, or contrast until the X-ray effect matches your desired style.

Conclusion

By stacking multiple adjustment layers with carefully chosen effects, you can create a convincing X-ray effect entirely inside After Effects. This technique is flexible, non-destructive, and easy to customize for sci-fi visuals, medical animations, or futuristic motion graphics.