Create Stunning Fire, Water, Smoke, and More with Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 in After Effects
Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1: A Powerful Set of Tools for Creating Particle Simulations and 3D Effects in After Effects
If you are looking for a way to create stunning particle simulations and 3D effects in Adobe After Effects, you might want to check out Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1.
Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1
Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 is a set of 11 motion graphics plugins that allow you to create fire, water, smoke, snow, and other organic visual effects, as well as technological marvels and user interfaces with immortal particle grids, text, and 3D forms.
In this article, we will explore what Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 is, how to use it, and where to get it.
What is Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1?
Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 is the latest version of the popular plugin suite for After Effects that was released in January 2019.
This version introduces some new features and improvements that make it even more powerful and versatile than before.
The features and benefits of Trapcode Suite 15.0.1
Some of the features and benefits of Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 are:
It brings the power of 3D particle systems right into After Effects, without the need for any third-party software or renderers.
It offers a physics engine with powerful behaviors, forces, and environmental controls that allow you to create realistic animations and interactions.
It includes the ability to create organic fluid simulations where particle systems interact with beautiful results.
It allows you to easily load 3D objects into your After Effects composition through Trapcode Mir.
It enables you to create flowing surfaces, mountainous terrains, endless tunnels, and abstract shapes with Trapcode Tao.
It lets you bring light and life into your motion design with volumetric lighting, light streaks, starry glimmers, and more.
It uses audio to generate keyframes that drive animation and effects with Sound Keys and Starglow.
It supports GPU acceleration for faster rendering and previewing.
It integrates seamlessly with After Effects' native camera and lights.
It comes with hundreds of presets that you can use as a starting point or customize to your liking.
The plugins included in Trapcode Suite 15.0.1
The plugins included in Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 are:
Plugin
Description
Particular
The industry-standard plugin for creating complex particle systems in After Effects.
Form
Form
A plugin that creates immortal particle grids and 3D objects in After Effects.
Mir
A plugin that creates 3D terrains, objects, and wireframes in After Effects.
Tao
A plugin that generates 3D geometries along a path in After Effects.
Shine
A plugin that creates volumetric light rays and glows in After Effects.
Lux
A plugin that simulates the look of a spotlight on a dusty atmosphere in After Effects.
Starglow
A plugin that adds stylized glints and glows to projects in After Effects.
Sound Keys
A plugin that analyzes audio and generates keyframes for animation and effects in After Effects.
Echospace
A plugin that creates multiple instances of a layer and animates them with offsets in After Effects.
3D Stroke
A plugin that creates organic 3D shapes and lines from masks in After Effects.
Horizon
A plugin that creates infinite backgrounds for After Effects 3D compositions.
How to use Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1?
To use Red Giant Trapcode Suite 15.0.1, you need to have Adobe After Effects installed on your computer. You also need to download and install the Trapcode Suite installer from the Red Giant website.
How to install and activate Trapcode Suite 15.0.1
To install and activate Trapcode Suite 15.0.1, follow these steps:
Go to the Red Giant Trapcode Suite download page and click on the Download button for your operating system (Windows or Mac).
Run the installer and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to enter your email address and serial number to complete the installation.
Launch After Effects and go to Window > Extensions > Red Giant Application Manager. This will open a window where you can manage your Red Giant products and licenses.
Click on the Activate button next to Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 and enter your serial number again. You will need an internet connection to activate your product.
Once activated, you can access the Trapcode plugins from the Effects menu in After Effects.
How to create particle systems with Particular and Form
Particular and Form are two of the most powerful plugins in Trapcode Suite 15.0.1. They allow you to create complex particle systems with various shapes, colors, behaviors, and interactions.
To create a particle system with Particular or Form, follow these steps:
Create a new composition in After Effects and add a solid layer.
Apply Particular or Form to the solid layer from the Effects menu.
In the Effect Controls panel, you will see a lot of parameters that you can adjust to customize your particle system. You can also use the Designer window to access presets and modify them visually.
The main parameters are divided into four groups: Emitter, Particles, Physics, and Aux System. Each group has sub-parameters that control different aspects of the particle system.
The Emitter group controls how the particles are generated, such as their position, direction, speed, amount, etc.
The Particles group controls how the particles look, such as their shape, size, color, opacity, rotation, etc.
The Physics group controls how the particles behave, such as their gravity, air resistance, turbulence, collision, etc.
The Aux System group controls how the particles spawn secondary particles, such as their emission rate, life span, color, etc.
You can animate any of these parameters with keyframes or expressions to create dynamic effects.
You can also use layers as emitters or obstacles for your particles by selecting them from the Layer Emitter or Layer Obstacle menus in the Emitter group.
You can also use lights as emitters or affectors for your particles by selecting them from the Light Emitter or Light Affectors menus in the Emitter group.
You can also use 3D models as emitters or obstacles for your particles by importing them with Trapcode Mir and selecting them from the OBJ Emitter or OBJ Obstacle menus in the Emitter group.
You can also use text layers as emitters or masks for your particles by selecting them from the Text Emitter or Text Mask menus in the Emitter group.
You can also use masks or paths as emitters for your particles by selecting them from the Mask Emitter menu in the Emitter group.
You can also use sprites or polygons as custom shapes for your particles by selecting them from the Sprite or Polygon menus in the Particles group.
You can also use presets to quickly create different types of particle systems, such as fire, smoke, water, sparks, etc. You can access the presets from the Designer window or the Preset menu in the Effect Controls panel.
How to create fluid simulations with Dynamic Fluids
One of the new features in Trapcode Suite 15.0.1 is Dynamic Fluids, which allows you to create realistic fluid simulations where particle systems interact with each other and their environment.
To create a fluid simulation with Dynamic Fluids, follow these steps:
Create a new composition in After Effects and add a solid layer.
Apply Particular or Form to the solid layer from the Effects menu.
In the Effect Controls panel, go to the Physics group and change the Physics Model to Fluid.
This will enable the Dynamic Fluids parameters, which control how the particles behave as a fluid.
The main parameters are Fluid Type, Viscosity, Surface Tension, and Vorticity. Each parameter has a different effect on the fluid simulation.
The Fluid Type parameter determines how the particles interact with each other and their environment. You can choose from four options: Airy, Bouncy, Viscous, and Sticky.
The Viscosity parameter determines how thick or thin the fluid is. A higher value means a thicker fluid that moves more slowly and smoothly.
The Surface Tension parameter determines how much the fluid sticks to itself and forms droplets or bubbles. A higher value means a more cohesive fluid that creates more surface tension effects.
The Vorticity parameter determines how much turbulence and swirls are created in the fluid. A higher value means a more chaotic fluid that creates more vorticity effects.
You can animate any of these parameters with keyframes or expressions to create dynamic effects.
You can also use layers, lights, 3D models, text, masks, or paths as emitters or obstacles for your fluid simulation by selecting them from the corresponding menus in the Emitter group.
You can also use presets to quickly create different types of fluid simulations, such as waterfalls, fountains, lava, blood, etc. You can access the presets from the Designer window or the Preset menu in the Effect Controls panel.
How to import 3D objects with Mir
Mir is a plugin that allows you to import 3D objects into your After Effects composition and manipulate them with various parameters and effects.
To import a 3D object with Mir, follow these steps:
Create a new composition in After Effects and add a solid layer.
Apply Mir to the solid layer from the Effects menu.
In the Effect Controls panel, go to the Geometry group and change the Geometry Type to OBJ Model.
This will enable the OBJ Model parameters, which allow you to load and adjust a 3D object.
The main parameters are OBJ File, Scale, Position, Rotation, Anchor Point, and Material. Each parameter has a different effect on the 3D object.
The OBJ File parameter allows you to browse and select a 3D object file (.obj) from your computer or network. You can use any 3D object that is compatible with After Effects' Cinema 4D renderer.
The Scale parameter allows you to resize the 3D object relative to its original size. You can use positive or negative values to flip the object along any axis.
The Position parameter allows you to move the 3D object along any axis relative to its original position. You can use positive or negative values to shift the object along any axis.
The Rotation parameter allows you to rotate the 3D object along any axis relative to its original orientation. You can use positive or negative values to spin the object along any axis.
The Anchor Point parameter allows you to change the pivot point of the 3D object relative to its original center. You can use positive or negative values to offset the anchor point along any axis.
The Material parameter allows you to change the appearance of the 3D object by adjusting its color, opacity, reflectivity, shininess, etc.
You can animate any of these parameters with keyframes or expressions to create dynamic effects.
You can also use layers, lights, cameras, or masks to affect the 3D object by selecting them from the corresponding menus in the Geometry group.
You can also use presets to quickly create different types of 3D objects, such as spheres, cubes, pyramids, etc. You can access the presets from the Designer window or the Preset menu in the Effect Controls panel.
How to create 3D geometries with Tao
Tao is a plugin that allows you to generate 3D geometries along a path in After Effects. You can use Tao to create flowing surfaces, mountainous terrains, endless tunnels, and abstract shapes.
To create a 3D geometry with Tao, follow these steps:
Create a new composition in After Effects and add a solid layer.
Apply Tao to the solid layer from the Effects menu.
In the Effect Controls panel, go to the Path group and change the Path Type to Mask or Path Layer.
This will enable you to use a mask or a path layer as the base for your 3D geometry.
The main parameters are Path Offset, Path Twist, Path Scale, and Path Segments. Each parameter has a different effect on the 3D geometry.
The Path Offset parameter allows you to move the 3D geometry along the path relative to its original position. You can use positive or negative values to shift the geometry along the path.
The Path Twist parameter allows you to rotate the 3D geometry along the path relative to its original orientation. You can use positive or negative values to twist the geometry along the path.
The Path Scale parameter allows you to resize the 3D geometry along the path relative to its original size. You can use positive or negative values to scale the geometry along the path.
The Path Segments parameter allows you to change the number of segments that make up the 3D geometry along the path. A higher value means a smoother and more detailed geometry.
You can animate any of these parameters with keyframes or expressions to create dynamic effects.
You can also use layers, lights, cameras, or masks to affect the 3D geometry by selecting them from the corresponding menus in the Path group.
You can also use presets to quickly create different types of 3D geometries, such as ribbons, tubes, wires, etc. You can access the presets from the Designer window or the Preset menu in the Effect Controls panel.
How to create volumetric lighting with Shine and Lux
Shine and Lux are two plugins that allow you to create volumetric lighting effects in After Effects. You can use Shine and Lux to create light rays, glows, spotlights, and atmospheric effects.
To create a volumetric lighting effect with Shine or Lux, follow these steps:
Create a new composition in After Effects and add a solid layer.
Apply Shine or Lux to the solid layer from the Effects menu.
In the Effect Controls panel, you will see a lot of parameters that you can adjust to customize your volumetric lighting effect. You can also use the Designer window to access presets and modify them visually.
The main parameters are divided into four groups: Source Point, Color, Shading, and Render. Each group has sub-parameters that control different aspects of the volumetric lighting effect.
The Source Point group controls where the light rays or spotlights originate from. You can use the on-screen controls or the numeric values to position the source point in your composition.
The Color group controls the color and intensity of the light rays or spotlights. You can use the color picker or the gradient editor to choose the color of the light. You can also use the Boost Light and Ray Length parameters to adjust the brightness and length of the light rays or spotlights.
The Shading group controls how the light rays or spotlights interact with the layers in your composition. You can use the Transfer Mode and Composite With Original parameters to blend the light effect with your original layer. You can also use the Layer Mask and Image Based Lighting parameters to create more realistic shading effects.
The Render group controls how the light rays or spotlights are rendered in your composition. You can use the Quality and Anti-Aliasing parameters to improve the smoothness and sharpness of the light effect. You can also use the Fractal Noise and Shimmer parameters to add more variation and movement to the light effect.
You can animate any of these parameters with keyframes or expressions to create dynamic effects.
You can also use layers, lights, cameras, or masks to affect the volumetric lighting effect by selecting them from the corresponding menus in the Source Point group.
You can also use presets to quickly create different types of volumetric lighting effects, such as sunbeams, lasers, flares, etc. You can access the presets from the Designer window or the Preset menu in the Effect Controls panel.
How to use audio to drive animation with Sound Keys and Starglow
Sound Keys and Starglow are two plugins that allow you to use audio to generate keyframes that drive animation and effects in After Effects. You can use Sound Keys and Starglow to create audio-reactive visuals, such as music videos, podcasts, presentations, etc.
To use audio to drive animation with Sound Keys and Starglow, follow these steps:
Create a new composition in After Effects and add an audio layer and a solid layer.
Apply Sound Keys to the audio layer from the Effects menu.
In the Effect Controls panel, go to the Output group and change the Output Type to Range.
This will enable you to select a range of frequencies from your audio and map them to a range of values that you can use for animation.
The main parameters are Range Start, Range End, Output Min, Output Max, Falloff, Smoothness, and Threshold. Each parameter has a different effect on the output values.
The Range Start and Range End parameters allow you to select a range of frequencies from your audio spectrum. You can use the on-screen controls or the numeric values to adjust the range. You can also use the Spectrum View to see the frequency distribution of your audio.
The Output Min and Output Max parameters allow you to map the selected range of frequencies to a range of values that you can use for animation. You can use positive or negative values to set the minimum and maximum output values.
The Falloff parameter allows you to control how quickly the output values decay after a peak. A higher value means a faster decay and a more responsive output.
The Smoothness parameter allows you to control how smooth or jagged the output values are. A higher value means a smoother output and a less noisy animation.
The Threshold parameter allows you to set a minimum level of amplitude for the output values to be triggered. A higher value means a more selective output and a less sensitive animation.
You can animate any of these parameters with keyframes or expressions to create dynamic effects.
You can also use presets to quickly create different types of output ranges, such as bass, treble, midrange, etc. You can access the presets from the Designer window or the Preset menu in the Effect Controls panel.
Once you have set up your output range, you can use it to drive any property in After Effects that accepts numeric values, such as position, scale, rotation, opacity, color, etc.
To do this, you need to apply an expression to the property that you want to animate and link it to the output value of Sound Keys.
To apply an expression, alt-click on the stopwatch icon next to the property name in the Timeline panel. This will open an expression field where you can type or paste your expression.
To link an expression to the output value of Sound Keys, you need to use the pick whip tool that appea