Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Sparkles in After Effects 

Introduction to Making Sparkles in After Effects

Adding sparkles in After Effects is a great way to enhance any project with a touch of magic. This guide will show you how to create and animate a simple sparkle effect that can be customized and duplicated to achieve a stunning, glittery look. Let’s start!

Step 1: Create a New Composition

To begin, set up a new composition. Go to Composition > New Composition and set the following settings:

Width: 400
Height: 400
Frame Rate: 24
Duration: 10 seconds (0:00:10:00)

This smaller composition will act as our base for the sparkle animation.

Step 2: Create a Shape Layer for the Sparkle

Next, create the main shape layer for your sparkle:

Go to Layer > New > Shape Layer.
In the shape layer’s properties, next to the Contents section, click the Add button, and choose Ellipse.
Again, click Add and select Fill to apply a fill color to your ellipse.

This will set up the basic circular shape for the sparkle. Step 3: Adjust the Shape and Color of the Sparkle

Now, customize the size and color:

Go to Contents > Ellipse Path 1 and set the Size to 123.
Then, go to Contents > Fill 1 and change the color to a bright yellow.

This gives the sparkle a circular base with a bright, radiant color.Step 4: Add the Pucker & Bloat Effect

To make the shape look like a sparkle, add the Pucker & Bloat effect:

Expand the shape layer properties, go to Contents, click the Add button, and select Pucker & Bloat.

This effect will transform the round shape into a star-like sparkle.Step 5: Animate the Sparkle Shape

Now, create an animation for the sparkle:

In the Pucker & Bloat properties, find Amount and set keyframes:

Place the CTI (Current Time Indicator) at the start of the composition and set Amount to -40.
Move the CTI forward in time and set Amount to -86.

Press “S” to open Scale settings.

Set a keyframe at the beginning with Scale set to 0.
At the midpoint between the two previous keyframes, set Scale to 100.
At the end of the animation, set Scale back to 0.
Select all keyframes and choose Ease Ease for smooth transitions. For the scale keyframes, use the Graph Editor for a more refined animation curve.

This step will make the sparkle pulsate and give it a glistening effect.

Step 6: Add Outer Glow for a Radiant Effect

To enhance the sparkle, apply an outer glow:

Right-click on the layer and choose Layer Styles > Outer Glow.

Go to Layer Styles > Outer Glow properties and set:

Color: Yellow
Opacity: 40%
Size: 21

This adds a radiant halo around the sparkle, making it appear brighter and more magical. Step 7: Create a New Composition for the Scene

Now, create the main scene where your sparkles will appear:

Go to Composition > New Composition.

Set Width to 1920, Height to 1080, and select a dark color for the Background to simulate a night sky.

This new composition will serve as the primary background for placing multiple sparkles. Step 8: Add and Duplicate Sparkles for a Clustered Effect

In the new composition, bring in your sparkle animation:

Drag the sparkle composition from the Project panel into the new composition.
Duplicate it several times, adjusting Rotation and Scale for each duplicate to create variety.

Arrange the duplicates across the scene to build a sparkling effect, perfect for a night sky or magical setting.

Step 9: Preview the Animation

To ensure everything is looking good, press the Spacebar to preview the animation. Tweak the scale, rotation, and placement of the sparkles if needed to achieve a balanced look.Step 10: Render the Final Sparkle Animation

Once you’re happy with your animation:

Go to Composition > Add to Render Queue.

Set your preferred output settings and click Render to export your sparkle effect.

Conclusion

With these steps, you’ve created a beautiful, animated sparkle effect in After Effects. By customizing colors, scale, and placement, you can use this sparkle effect in various projects, from adding magical touches to videos to creating festive or whimsical scenes. Enjoy experimenting with different styles and arrangements to make the sparkles uniquely yours!