HOW TO: Make Viral TikTok Edits I After Effects Tutorial

Introduction

Creating viral edits for TikTok using Adobe After Effects may seem daunting at first, but with the right steps and tools, you can craft stunning videos that catch attention. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the entire process — from setting up your workspace to rendering your final edit.

Essential Requirements

Before we dive into After Effects, make sure you have the following materials ready:

1. Soundtrack: Find a popular sound on platforms like SoundCloud or YouTube.
2. Video Clips: Utilize engaging video footage, which you can obtain from a Discord server or other sources.
3. Adobe After Effects: Ensure you have the application installed and ready to use.

Starting a New Project in After Effects

1. Open After Effects and create a new project by clicking on New Composition.

2. Adjust the following settings:

   • Resolution: For TikTok, 1080 x 1080 (square) is ideal, but you can also use 1080 x 1920 (vertical).
   • Frame Rate: Set to 60 FPS for smooth playback.
   • Duration: Set the duration to one minute or according to your needs.

3. Click OK to create your composition. If you want to change these settings later, right-click on the composition name and go to Composition Settings.

Importing Your Files

1. Project Panel: Click on the project panel where you can import your sound and video clips by dragging them in.
2. Timeline: Drag the audio into your timeline to start editing.

Marking Beat Drops

1. Disable the audio for the video clips by clicking the speaker icon next to the footage layer.
2. Right-click on your audio layer, go to Keyframe Assistant, and select Convert Audio to Keyframes.
3. Select the newly created audio amplitude layer.
4. Press Z on your keyboard to display the keyframes. These keyframes represent the beat drops in your audio.

Create markers on your timeline by using the marker button in the timeline panel. These markers help you determine when to switch clips.

Finding and Cutting Clips

1. Open your video footage by double-clicking on the layer and find the clips you want to use.
2. Use the mini timeline to locate the desired clips.
3. Press Control + Shift + D to split the layers at the designated points.
4. Double-click again to ensure you're trimming clips to fit your timeline.

Applying Face Tracking

For clips with character movements that take them outside the frame:

1. Select the clip layer, open the Tracker panel by clicking Window > Tracker.
2. Choose Stabilize Motion, and construct a tracking box around the character’s face.
3. Click Analyze Forward to track the entire motion.
4. Click Apply and confirm the axis you want to track.

Finalising the Edit

After tracking, adjust the positions of your clips using the Position property by pressing P and modifying the translate values. Use motion blur, frame blending, and toggle sound settings as needed.

Adding Effects

1. Precompose your clips (Control + Shift + C) to apply effects such as Twixtor for slow-motion.
2. Adjust settings in Twixtor. Create keyframes for speed adjustments and use the Graph Editor to smooth out the transitions.
3. Add additional effects like Zoom Blur to enhance motion.

Text and Intro Animation

1. Use the Text Tool to create dialogue or captivating titles, adjusting the size and font through the Character panel.
2. Animate your text with effects like Fade Up Words and Fade Out Slow.
3. Create smooth transitions between your clips with a white circle flash to maintain viewer engagement.

Color Correction and Outro

Utilize adjustment layers for color correction by adjusting properties such as sharpness and applying effects. Finally, include an outro with your name or handle, incorporating animation for added polish.

Rendering Your Edit

1. Go to Composition > Add to Render Queue.
2. Adjust the Output Module to H.264 format (or QuickTime for older versions).
3. Specify your output destination.
4. Click Render and wait for your edit to export.

Congratulations! You’ve created an engaging TikTok edit in After Effects.

Introduction

• After Effects
• TikTok edits
• Audio amplitude
• Face tracking
• Effects
• Color correction
• Clip transitions

Introduction

Q: What are the requirements for making edits in After Effects?
A: You will need a soundtrack, video clips, and Adobe After Effects installed on your device.

Q: How can I mark beat drops in my audio track?
A: You can convert the audio to keyframes to mark beat drops automatically and use markers in your timeline for precise editing.

Q: How do I make sure that my text appears smoothly?
A: Utilize text animation presets, such as Fade Up Words or Fade Out Slow, and adjust keyframes to match dialogue timings.

Q: Can I use pre-compositions for applying multiple effects?
A: Yes, grouping layers into pre-compositions makes it easier to apply effects and keep your timeline organized.

Q: What format should I use for rendering my TikTok edit?
A: Use H.264 format for a high-quality output, or QuickTime if you have an older version of After Effects.