Creating a Fireworks Animation in After Effects

Introduction

Fireworks animations can add excitement and energy to your videos. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a simple but effective fireworks effect in After Effects using built-in tools and effects.

Step 1: Create a New Composition

Start by creating a new composition. Set the resolution to 1920×1080, frame rate to 23.976 fps, and duration to around 10 seconds for a short fireworks burst. Step 2: Create a Solid Layer

Go to Layer > New > Solid. This will act as the background for the particle effects. Step 3: Apply CC Particle World Effect

With the solid layer selected, go to Effects & Presets and search for CC Particle World. Drag and drop it onto the solid layer. This effect will generate the fireworks particles.Step 4: Animate the Birth Rate

In the Effect Controls Panel, find the Birth Rate parameter.

Set the CTI (Current Time Indicator) to the start of the composition and set the Birth Rate to 0. Click on the stopwatch to create a keyframe.
Move the CTI forward slightly (around 0.5 seconds) and increase the Birth Rate to 3.
Move the CTI a bit further and set the Birth Rate back to 0.

This will create a burst effect where the fireworks explode and then fade out.

Step 5: Adjust Particle Settings

Now, tweak the CC Particle World settings to make the fireworks look more natural:

Set Velocity to 1 (Controls the speed of the explosion)
Adjust Gravity to 0.2 (Adds a slight pull downward)
Increase Resistance to 10 (Slows the movement of particles)
Select Color Map as Custom (Choose a gradient from a bright color to almost black for a realistic look)Step 6: Apply Glow Effect

Go to Effects & Presets and add the Glow Effect to the solid layer. Adjust the following settings:

Set Glow Threshold to 45
Increase Glow Radius to 116
Adjust Glow Intensity to 1.8
Set Composite Original to On Top

This will make the fireworks appear more vibrant and dynamic. Step 7: Duplicate the Fireworks Layer and Preview

To create multiple fireworks explosions:

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl/Cmd + D).
Change the particle colors to different shades for variety.
Offset the start times of the layers to create multiple bursts at different times.
Play back the animation to preview how it looks. Adjust any settings if needed.Step 8: Render the Animation

Once you’re satisfied with the preview, render your animation:

Go to Composition > Add to Render Queue.
Choose the desired format and output settings.
Click Render to export the final video.

Conclusion

This method allows you to create realistic fireworks in After Effects using simple particle effects and glow. Experiment with different settings and colors to achieve unique results. Happy animating!