Trapcode MIR user BaKaAfter posts a quick settings run-though for creating Anime style animated lighting. Trapcode MIR is one of those “specialty” type of products where it can be easy to fall into the experimentation phase and never really get out of it, into creating deliberate and useful content.

Here, BaKaAfter offers a great opportunity to learn how to use Trapcode MIR to create an energy based electrical animation, that can be used on its own or to add some depth to your other motion graphics pieces.

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Trapcode MIR

MIR is a 3D polygon-based plugin for After Effects that can create quick rendering of 3D shapes. Trapcode MIR leverages OpenGL, which offers fast previews and renders of smooth shaded objects, organic looking elements, or abstract animated shapes.

Adding fractal noise will distort the polygon mesh into interesting shapes, and by adding texture mapping, repeating geometry, and After Effects light integration, you can create some really interesting animations, right from After Effects.

 

Creating Anime Style Lightning

BaKaAfter offers a look into the settings that went into creating the lighting example. For the most part, it is as simple as creating and using a custom shape for MIR to work with, and then adjusting the parameters so that it behaves in a believable way. Final touches include adding the color and glow to complete the look.

The tutorial is in Japanese, so you might want to take out your favorite translator if you don’t speak it.

Check out the tutorial for Designing Anime-Stylized Lightning With Trapcode MIR in Ae here.