Flying Bats Effect
The Flying Bats Effect allows users to create realistic 3D bat animations in After Effects. Animate a single bat, or add as many bats as you want to create an entire colony. Simply animate the 3D position of a single "leader bat" with two or more keyframes, and the other bats will follow - but with their own automatic zig-zagging, swooping, and other random bat-like flight behavior. The bats are ideal for halloween-themed animations, or even for creating realistic colonies flying in the distance, when composited over footage. A "Control Layer" with over 50 neatly-organized controls allow you to customize the bats' appearance, flight behavior (like automatic wing-flapping), and colony characteristics (like randomness and 3D spread). Or to save time, go with with the default settings. A link to an in-depth video tutorial is included.
3D models are constructed from 2D images in AE (see rotating bat in video). When the bats are in the distance or moving quickly, they appear to have mass and are very convincing. This template is not for animating bats that are landed. Music & backgrounds not included. This effect works in any resolution. Compatible with AE v.16.x and up.
- Works on both Mac or PC. No plugins required. Compatible with Adobe After Effects v.16 and all later versions.
- This template has been "universalized", meaning it will work in After Effects running in other languages.
- The 3D bat models are constructed from 2D images in AE (see rotating bat in video). When the bats are in the distance or moving quickly, they appear to have mass and very convincing.
- This template is for animating bats that are flying, not for bats that are landed.
- This effect will work in any resolution. Simply change the comp dimensions in the Composition Settings panel.
- Footage and music in demo video not included.
The Bats template is not a plugin, so there is nothing to install. It's an Adobe After Effects project file, commonly known as a "template" because most of the work is already done, and the user needs only to make their own adjustments. This template is compatible with version 16 as well as all later versions of After Effects.
The Bats template contains copyrighted intellectual property, so the sharing or online posting of project files with or for anyone other than a client is prohibited. See the Terms and Conditions for more details.
Positive and/or negative feedback is appreciated. Use the contact page to send me a message.