ShiveringCactus
@shiveringcactus.bsky.social
Tutorials and videos, mainly After Effects, but with some 3D.
Home of Makin' FX and Solvin' FX and VFX History! #adobeaftereffects #vfx
Home of Makin' FX and Solvin' FX and VFX History! #adobeaftereffects #vfx
've put together a "buyer's guide" for @adobevideo.adobe.com
#AfterEffects to help users figure out what they need to prioritise once they know how AE works. I hope everyone finds it useful. #adobecommunityexperts
youtu.be/xU9tHrJH6KM
#AfterEffects to help users figure out what they need to prioritise once they know how AE works. I hope everyone finds it useful. #adobecommunityexperts
youtu.be/xU9tHrJH6KM
After Effects PC Buying Guide | RAM vs Cores, GPU & Laptop vs Desktop
YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 8:51 AM
've put together a "buyer's guide" for @adobevideo.adobe.com
#AfterEffects to help users figure out what they need to prioritise once they know how AE works. I hope everyone finds it useful. #adobecommunityexperts
youtu.be/xU9tHrJH6KM
#AfterEffects to help users figure out what they need to prioritise once they know how AE works. I hope everyone finds it useful. #adobecommunityexperts
youtu.be/xU9tHrJH6KM
I decided to challenge myself to see how close I could get to realistic fireworks just using the included effects in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects. I think I got pretty close.
Tutorial, plus project files and print version: youtu.be/s6-q5x_oFA4
Tutorial, plus project files and print version: youtu.be/s6-q5x_oFA4
September 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I decided to challenge myself to see how close I could get to realistic fireworks just using the included effects in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects. I think I got pretty close.
Tutorial, plus project files and print version: youtu.be/s6-q5x_oFA4
Tutorial, plus project files and print version: youtu.be/s6-q5x_oFA4
I'm sharing a new preset and mogrt file to help creators with vertical videos by overlaying safe zones. There's no Bluesky option, because it seems like the whole video is shown without things getting in the way!
youtu.be/I6tGaxotm1s
youtu.be/I6tGaxotm1s
Don't Let Your Vertical Videos Get CUT OFF! Safe Zones for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX
youtu.be
August 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
I'm sharing a new preset and mogrt file to help creators with vertical videos by overlaying safe zones. There's no Bluesky option, because it seems like the whole video is shown without things getting in the way!
youtu.be/I6tGaxotm1s
youtu.be/I6tGaxotm1s
The three thumbnails from my latest @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #tutorial, where I add rings to the sky using sky replacement techniques.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsT...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsT...
July 21, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The three thumbnails from my latest @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #tutorial, where I add rings to the sky using sky replacement techniques.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsT...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsT...
@blender.org vs @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #Planets. Each time I share a space #tutorial someone asks "why don't you use Blender?" So I did and then compare it to what I can do in AE.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Co_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Co_...
July 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
@blender.org vs @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #Planets. Each time I share a space #tutorial someone asks "why don't you use Blender?" So I did and then compare it to what I can do in AE.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Co_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Co_...
I've been having fun setting up a @fourthwall.com for my #YouTube. Honestly, I don't really expect anyone to buy anything, but has reminded me of being 11 years-old and getting a printer. There's something magical about designing something on a computer and then seeing a physical version it.
July 1, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I've been having fun setting up a @fourthwall.com for my #YouTube. Honestly, I don't really expect anyone to buy anything, but has reminded me of being 11 years-old and getting a printer. There's something magical about designing something on a computer and then seeing a physical version it.
I've been having a lot of fun making planets in @adobevideo.adobe.com #aftereffects and in this video, I show how to add two types of planetary rings. Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySpa...
June 23, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I've been having a lot of fun making planets in @adobevideo.adobe.com #aftereffects and in this video, I show how to add two types of planetary rings. Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySpa...
I've been having a bit of fun / getting distracted this weekend setting up a shop on YouTube's product shelf ... thingy. Honestly, I don't expect anyone to buy anything but it looks cool seeing my work on mugs and hoodies next to my videos. shiveringcactus-shop.fourthwall.com @adobecommunityexperts
June 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
I've been having a bit of fun / getting distracted this weekend setting up a shop on YouTube's product shelf ... thingy. Honestly, I don't expect anyone to buy anything but it looks cool seeing my work on mugs and hoodies next to my videos. shiveringcactus-shop.fourthwall.com @adobecommunityexperts
Having fun with the new Advanced 3D Light shadows in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #adobecommunityexperts. Recreating Captain America: Civil War titles is pretty simple:
June 18, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Having fun with the new Advanced 3D Light shadows in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #adobecommunityexperts. Recreating Captain America: Civil War titles is pretty simple:
I've been playing A LOT with @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects 3D renderer and have come up with a method to create nightside lights for a planet.
youtu.be/ExoPpcyZyTo
#adobecommunityexperts #tutorial
youtu.be/ExoPpcyZyTo
#adobecommunityexperts #tutorial
June 9, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I've been playing A LOT with @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects 3D renderer and have come up with a method to create nightside lights for a planet.
youtu.be/ExoPpcyZyTo
#adobecommunityexperts #tutorial
youtu.be/ExoPpcyZyTo
#adobecommunityexperts #tutorial
Tutorial: Create ANY planet in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects without needing 3D software. I show how to take a simple OBJ sphere, create a new texture map for it and add clouds and atmospheres.
And I've included a text version of the #tutorial too.
youtu.be/wWtaAxRsPWQ
#AdobeCommunityExperts
And I've included a text version of the #tutorial too.
youtu.be/wWtaAxRsPWQ
#AdobeCommunityExperts
Create ANY PLANET in After Effects
YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX
youtu.be
May 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Tutorial: Create ANY planet in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects without needing 3D software. I show how to take a simple OBJ sphere, create a new texture map for it and add clouds and atmospheres.
And I've included a text version of the #tutorial too.
youtu.be/wWtaAxRsPWQ
#AdobeCommunityExperts
And I've included a text version of the #tutorial too.
youtu.be/wWtaAxRsPWQ
#AdobeCommunityExperts
Next-gen Pokémon card.
(Not really, I was just having a bit of fun in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects )
#AdobeCommunityExperts
(Not really, I was just having a bit of fun in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects )
#AdobeCommunityExperts
May 18, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Next-gen Pokémon card.
(Not really, I was just having a bit of fun in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects )
#AdobeCommunityExperts
(Not really, I was just having a bit of fun in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects )
#AdobeCommunityExperts
Figuring out how to do this in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects has bugged me for ages. A seemingly simple motion graphic of 3D travel arcs going from point to point on a globe. I finally had a chance to sit down and crack it.
#Tutorial:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQLN...
#Tutorial:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQLN...
April 28, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Figuring out how to do this in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects has bugged me for ages. A seemingly simple motion graphic of 3D travel arcs going from point to point on a globe. I finally had a chance to sit down and crack it.
#Tutorial:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQLN...
#Tutorial:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQLN...
I kept seeing posts on #AfterEffects forums asking about videos with #transparency and so decided to look into it. I've always had a preferred method, so I didn't understand the confusion - but wow - there's a lot of bad infomation out there. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS5n...
March 31, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I kept seeing posts on #AfterEffects forums asking about videos with #transparency and so decided to look into it. I've always had a preferred method, so I didn't understand the confusion - but wow - there's a lot of bad infomation out there. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS5n...
I've figured out a simple workflow to create 3D Luma Mattes in #Blender so that I can replace and animate screens of 3D objects directly in @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects.
#Tutorial: youtu.be/DQq1Nm_CS58
#Tutorial: youtu.be/DQq1Nm_CS58
March 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I've figured out a simple workflow to create 3D Luma Mattes in #Blender so that I can replace and animate screens of 3D objects directly in @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects.
#Tutorial: youtu.be/DQq1Nm_CS58
#Tutorial: youtu.be/DQq1Nm_CS58
Change the color of 3D objects directly inside @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects with only a tiny bit of #Blender needed. #Tutorial : www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1e9...
February 17, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Change the color of 3D objects directly inside @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects with only a tiny bit of #Blender needed. #Tutorial : www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1e9...
Just got access to @adobelive.bsky.social #Firefly generative video. Asked for “flying through clouds, bright sunlight”
February 12, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Just got access to @adobelive.bsky.social #Firefly generative video. Asked for “flying through clouds, bright sunlight”
Animating Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night using Curl Noise in @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects. I've been meaning to try this ever since that #DoctorWho episode.
Tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dell...
Tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dell...
January 20, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Animating Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night using Curl Noise in @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects. I've been meaning to try this ever since that #DoctorWho episode.
Tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dell...
Tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dell...
Flying through clouds made using @adobelive.bsky.social Express, removing the backgrounds in #Photoshop and then animating in #AfterEffects. And while watching Carry-On I spotted the Dreamworks logo might have been made using the same sort of techniques!
Tutorial: youtu.be/GNGB2_Wn8rA
Tutorial: youtu.be/GNGB2_Wn8rA
January 6, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Flying through clouds made using @adobelive.bsky.social Express, removing the backgrounds in #Photoshop and then animating in #AfterEffects. And while watching Carry-On I spotted the Dreamworks logo might have been made using the same sort of techniques!
Tutorial: youtu.be/GNGB2_Wn8rA
Tutorial: youtu.be/GNGB2_Wn8rA
#VFX History: bluescreen and how color film works. A deep dive into the everything from the BBC's CSO for #DoctorWho , the Sodium Vapour process, #StarTrek's UV screens, #Superman and an awful lot more.
I'm really pleased with the result, I hope you find it enjoyable:
youtu.be/Yhf-QQMjHwA
I'm really pleased with the result, I hope you find it enjoyable:
youtu.be/Yhf-QQMjHwA
December 9, 2024 at 9:42 AM
#VFX History: bluescreen and how color film works. A deep dive into the everything from the BBC's CSO for #DoctorWho , the Sodium Vapour process, #StarTrek's UV screens, #Superman and an awful lot more.
I'm really pleased with the result, I hope you find it enjoyable:
youtu.be/Yhf-QQMjHwA
I'm really pleased with the result, I hope you find it enjoyable:
youtu.be/Yhf-QQMjHwA
Finally finished the first draft of my next VFX history video (sadly no interview with Dan Curry) and watched it back and immediately begged to my wife for help. It’s good, but needs tightening in places, loosening in others. Fingers crossed.
November 25, 2024 at 1:55 PM
Finally finished the first draft of my next VFX history video (sadly no interview with Dan Curry) and watched it back and immediately begged to my wife for help. It’s good, but needs tightening in places, loosening in others. Fingers crossed.
I've been having loads of fun recreating the nebula from #StarTrek Insurrrection. NJM Photo on YouTube has their own motion control rig to shoot miniatures and we collaborated on that to make "The Battle of the Briar Patch".
Battle: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNj...
Tutorial: youtu.be/V3yKTZEPoLg
Battle: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNj...
Tutorial: youtu.be/V3yKTZEPoLg
November 18, 2024 at 1:04 PM
I've been having loads of fun recreating the nebula from #StarTrek Insurrrection. NJM Photo on YouTube has their own motion control rig to shoot miniatures and we collaborated on that to make "The Battle of the Briar Patch".
Battle: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNj...
Tutorial: youtu.be/V3yKTZEPoLg
Battle: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNj...
Tutorial: youtu.be/V3yKTZEPoLg
Not shared from Reddit here before, let’s see if this works:
www.reddit.com/r/Funnymemes...
www.reddit.com/r/Funnymemes...
www.reddit.com
November 16, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Not shared from Reddit here before, let’s see if this works:
www.reddit.com/r/Funnymemes...
www.reddit.com/r/Funnymemes...
Thought I'd better sign up for Bluesky having just heard about it. (I left Twitter more or less as soon as Elon bought it.)
I mainly share #AfterEffects tutorials I've created, like this one: how to use the new Per Character expressions to bold part of a text layer:
youtu.be/6QzTQJ77XCs
I mainly share #AfterEffects tutorials I've created, like this one: how to use the new Per Character expressions to bold part of a text layer:
youtu.be/6QzTQJ77XCs
Actual Bold Text using expressions in After Effects
YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX
youtu.be
November 11, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Thought I'd better sign up for Bluesky having just heard about it. (I left Twitter more or less as soon as Elon bought it.)
I mainly share #AfterEffects tutorials I've created, like this one: how to use the new Per Character expressions to bold part of a text layer:
youtu.be/6QzTQJ77XCs
I mainly share #AfterEffects tutorials I've created, like this one: how to use the new Per Character expressions to bold part of a text layer:
youtu.be/6QzTQJ77XCs