Expert: Joseph Silver - 4/4/2007

Question
Hi Joseph.
First, your web site is very nice and your 2007 reel is awesome.
My question: I am trying to create a simple swirl around a graphic that I've cut up into 2 pieces in PS (foreground, and background), saved as a psd, then imported into A.E.  I've already got the two imported layers on as 3D layers but I need to find out how to bring in a simple swirl to come from screen left, go "around" the foreground image (of a person), then swirl off screen right.
Any easy way to do this?

Answer
Hi Sal - I'm glad you like the Designomotion website.

Without storyboards or visual reference, it's a bit hard for me to picture exactly the effect you are trying to achieve. But here are some thoughts:

One way to animate a swirl is to create a path in Adobe Illustrator and copy/paste the vector path onto a layer in After Effects. Once that is done, you can use the Stroke Effect (under Generate) to animate on/off the swirl. Trapcode has a similar path tool called "3D Stroke" that achieves the same effect, but better.

You can also create the swirl in Photoshop and reveal it using masks. This is more tedious and not as efficient.

www.designomotion.com