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Introduction
This is the result we'll create, a glowing API on a black background, placed over a sunset forest footage without any masking, then given a warm orange tone, all with just blend modes. Let's get started. Hello, welcome back to the complete Adobe After Effects series from Cerdas Inovasi Digital. Blend mode determines how the pixels of a layer mix with the layer below it. In this episode, we'll use it for quick compositing, placing the API over the forest and adding cinematic color. Create a composition from the sunset forest footage, then drag the API night footage on top of it.
Step 1: Preparing two footage
The API covers the entire screen because the background is dark and the blend mode is still normal. Reduce the scale of the API to 60% and move it to the bottom left.
Step 2: Mode Column and Screen
The mode column in the timeline shows the blend mode for each layer. If it's not visible, click the toggle switches modes below the timeline. Click the layer mode dropdown menu for the API and select screen. The black parts disappear, while the bright parts of the API remain visible and blend with the forest.
Step 3: Add for a brighter look
Try switching to add. The result is similar to screen but brighter and more glowing. It's suitable for sparks or light effects. Hold shift and press the equals sign to quickly move to the next mode, and shift minus to go back to the previous mode. We return to a softer screen mode.
Step 4: Multiply to darken
Multiply is the opposite of screen. The white parts disappear and the dark parts remain. Create a dark orange solid the same size as the composition, set opacity to 60%, then change its mode to multiply. The entire image becomes darker and warmer, like a color filter on a lens.
Step 5: Overlay and Soft Light
Change the solid mode to overlay. Contrast increases sharply, and the orange color penetrates both bright and dark areas. For a smoother result, select soft light. Here's a quick way to add cinematic color tones without color correction effects.
Step 6: Comparing the results
Turn off and on the solid screen to compare before and after. Press space, the API moves naturally in front of the siluat trees, and the entire scene has a warm sunset ambiance. Done.
Done!
We've already used the mode column, removing the black background with Screen and Add Darken with Multiply, add cinematic colors with Overlay and Soft Light and switch to the quick mode with shift plus equals sign. In the next episode, we'll discuss the layer switches in the timeline. Need promotional video, logo animation, motion graphics for social media, Or visual effects for short films? Cerdas Inovasi Digital provides motion graphics and visual effects services, as well as opening the After Effects course from beginner to advanced level. Want to master all of these series? 104 episodes from interface to final project? All episodes, complete with step-by-step PDF guides, Source footage and project script are available for premium tutorial subscribers. Subscribe starting at Rp69.000 per month, Save 28% with the 12-month package, or pay once Rp999.000 for lifetime access. Want a single class? Buy single class with lifetime access. Subscribe now on the premium page cerdasinovasidigital.com. Contact our WhatsApp or visit cerdasinovasidigital.com. Thank you for watching, See you in the next episode.
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Cerdas Inovasi Digital Team
Software developers, BIM & 3D engineers, and AI practitioners
52 video classes1,276 episodes
We build software, BIM models, games and AI automations for clients every day, and turn that hands-on work into step-by-step classes: every step is shown on screen and comes with a PDF guide you can keep.
