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August 18, 2026
Answered

Morphing Particle Footage

  • August 18, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 56 views

I saw this reference. -https://www.instagram.com/p/DcAvkW6DZVo/?igsh=bGp6d2Q0amRycm9i

and really liked it. It is clearly based on images, turns them into particles, and morphs them. Is this possible in AE or does it look more like an effect in a 3D software?

 

Thanks,

J

    Correct answer Rick Gerard

    You can approximate something like that by using a particle system to break apart an image, Pre-Compose It, and time-reverse it. This will build a shape from the distributed particles.

    In order to build a shape from particles and then morph them into another shape, you need a 3D app or AI. 

    2 replies

    ShiveringCactus
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 21, 2026

    I wondered if this would be possible with CC Ball Action to generate the particles and the classic Simple Choker morph.

    Granted, it needs some refinement in the timing, but I think it shows what’s possible:

     

    For my quick example, I have two shape layers and fade one out as the other fades in.  Then an adjustment layer has a gaussian blur keyframed to get really blurry at the midpoint and then a Simple Choker to increase the edges of the shape.

    This is nested in another comp, where CC Ball Action’s scatter breaks the precomp into particles.

     

    Rick GerardCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    August 20, 2026

    You can approximate something like that by using a particle system to break apart an image, Pre-Compose It, and time-reverse it. This will build a shape from the distributed particles.

    In order to build a shape from particles and then morph them into another shape, you need a 3D app or AI.