How to turn Saber Glow to gradient color

[alexisbaydoun]

Hi guys,

i'm doing an animation with Saber plugin (attached)

i want to change the blue color to a gradient color, but i can't seem to figure out how. I know how it works for regular shapes, but for this one can't figure out how.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Mike_Abbott]

Apply the Colorama effect after the Saber effect.

In Colorama twirl down the 'Output Cycle' section and pick a preset palette or adjust the colour wheel to taste.

[alexisbaydoun]

great! i got this, but how can i apply it over my object?

many thanks

[Mike_Abbott]

Without seeing a screenshot of your timeline I'm guessing...

I'm assuming you have a layer (solid?) with Saber using a mask for it's outline?

Just apply the colorama immediately under the Saber effect on that layer.

[alexisbaydoun]

Really sorry if this is dragging but i did place the Colorama under Saber, but it's still full on blue.

I cant seem to drag the gradient circle into anywhere. Shouldn't i be dragging it somewhere in order for it to take effect?

Yes, im using a Solid with Saber, shape as masked. The Glow Color in Saber is still blue, and i located the Output Cycle color palettes. However, i'm not being able to apply that color onto my object.

Many thanks

[Mike_Abbott]

Umm... can't immediately see what the issue is - it works here : )

Suggest you just set up a simple new test comp to try it out:

black solid, create a elliptical mask, apply Saber - set 'Customise Core' to mask. Apply Colorama.

Does that work?

[Dave Merchant]

SABER is a purely synthetic effect - just like with plugins like Trapcode Stroke, After Effects cannot see the 'shape' being created on the layer. It would have to be pre-composed to turn it into something that behaves like regular footage.

[Mike_Abbott]

Dave - it can if Saber's 'Customise Core' is set to mask.

[alexisbaydoun]

It worked! there is however one more point:

i am attaching how it turned out to be (radial effect), whereas what i potentially want to do is like the second attachment. i want the gradient color to be surrounding the circle and not in the way it currently is.. Any help? if there is any video tutorial i would gladly watch it to cut things short 8-)

Many thanks again

[Mike_Abbott]

You could just mask out the middle - but Saber has a built in option that will do it I think:

Saber > Render settings:

Alpha mode : Mask Glow

Invert masks: ON

PS: There are lots of other (maybe better ) ways to do a simple radial glow like this - look up: Gradient Ramp (Radial), Glow effect, Shape layer gradient fill (radial), Layer styles (inner / outer glow)... for some other options in the future.