New Plug-in: SABER + Tutorial! 100% Free

Introduction

Welcome back to Video Copilot! I'm Andrew Kramer, and today we dive into something special – our newly released After Effects plug-in, Saber. I have to admit, I genuinely have excitement for this! Forget the tired cliches of enthusiasm; this tool has been a labor of love, especially after my experience working on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where my team handled holograms, graphics, and titles, though unfortunately, not lightsabers. But that drive pushed us to create our own plug-in.

What Can SABER Do?

Before we jump into the tutorial, let's take a look at some cool capabilities of Saber. It produces stunning energy, portal, and lightsaber effects. It can add vibrant colors using the built-in color vibrance technology and allows for easy adjustments to the glow's intensity and spread.

Getting Started

After downloading and installing the plug-in, create a new solid in After Effects named "Saber." From the effects window, type Saber and apply it to the solid. You'll notice a glowing light beam emerge. You can adjust control points to manipulate its appearance, including intensity and glow fall-off.

Customizing Your Lightsaber

Core Settings: Beginning with the Customize Core settings, you can modify the core type to use a mask or a text layer. You can set the start size, end size, and apply a mask for an innovative animation.
Presets: A wide array of presets are available to quickly switch between various dynamic effects without losing your core animations.
Layering Effects: Saber supports multiple layers! Duplicate your saber layer to create a dynamic interplay between unique effects by changing their core settings, ensuring each has its distinct flair.
Distortion and Noise: Advanced distortion options allow for differentiating glow effects and cores, adding a layer of realism. Personally, I recommend adding an unsharp mask to sharpen details.
Motion Blur: Using the Force Motion Blur effect enhances the realism of your animations, making it not only easier to work with but also aesthetically better.

Creating a Lightsaber Effect

For a lightsaber effect, create a new solid, drop on the Saber effect, set the composite mode to screen, and start animating! Follow the shifting movements of the lightsaber, ensuring it creates the correct glow and motion blur.

Advanced Features

One exciting feature is the ability to occlude the core, allowing it to be masked behind objects, which offers a realistic integration into your scenes. You can achieve what looks like a light wrap, which is crucial for any serious lightsaber animation.

Conclusion

Saber not only functions well for lightsabers but can also create portals, energy blasts, and myriad other effects. The tutorial demonstrates its versatility, encouraging users to merge various techniques for more impressive results. As always, I look forward to seeing what the community will create with this plug-in!

Keyword

Saber
After Effects
Andrew Kramer
Video Copilot
Lightsaber effects
Advanced distortion
Glow intensity
Motion blur
Presets
Masking

FAQ

What is the Saber Plug-in?
Saber is a free After Effects plug-in designed for creating energy, portal, and lightsaber effects with ease.

How do I install the Saber plug-in?
Download the plug-in from Video Copilot's website and follow the installation instructions provided.

Can Saber be used for other effects besides lightsabers?
Yes, Saber can create various effects including energy blasts, portals, and more through its customizable settings and presets.

Is there a cost associated with Saber?
No, Saber is offered as a 100% free plug-in.

What features make Saber unique?
Saber has features like advanced distortion and the ability to occlude cores behind objects for more realistic animations. There are also extensive customizable settings for glow and intensity.