Joe Lawrence shows a practical use for the Difference blend mode in After Effects.

What if I told you that blending modes could be more for just effects? That’s right, blending modes, no matter which program, you can also use as a diagnostic or construction tool. With that in mind, check out this new tutorial from the You and Me Academy that shows an essential use for the difference blend mode.

Joe Lawrence shows that you can use the difference mode as a tool to line up images and sequences to a pixel-perfect degree. No longer will you eyeball anything; using difference, you can get it bang-on every time.

Joe Lawrence is a freelance art director, compositor, and animator. Make sure you pay a visit to his channel, the You and Me Academy.