Create a Smooth Zoom Transition in After Effects

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Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Smooth Zoom Transition:

Step 1: Setting Up Your Composition

1. Open Adobe After Effects.
2. Create a New Composition: Name it “Smooth Zoom Transition”. Use the same resolutions and frame rate as usual, and set the duration to 5 seconds.

Step 2: Importing Footage

1. Import Required Footage: Drag and drop both pieces of footage into the main composition.

Step 3: Preparing the Footage

1. Position the Time Indicator: Move it to the 1-second mark.
2. Move the Bottom Footage: Shift it to the 1-second mark.
3. Split the Top Footage:
   • Select the top footage.
   • Go to Edit and choose Split Layer (shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + D).
   • Delete the remaining part of the top footage.
4. Trim the Composition:
   • Move the time indicator to 2 seconds.
   • Drag the work area to 2 seconds.
   • Right-click and choose Trim Comp to Work Area.

Step 4: Creating the Zoom Effect

1. Create an Adjustment Layer:
   • Right-click and create an Adjustment Layer.
   • Go to Effects & Presets, search for, and apply the Transform effect to the adjustment layer.
2. Add Keyframes for Zoom Effect:
   • Move the time indicator 20 frames back and add a keyframe on Scale.
   • Move forward 20 frames and change the scale amount to 300.
   • Select the adjustment layer and press U to reveal both keyframes.
   • Adjust the duration of the keyframes.
   • Uncheck Use Composition’s Shutter Angle and change the shutter angle value to 360 for a nice blur effect.
3. Duplicate and Adjust the Second Adjustment Layer:
   • Duplicate the adjustment layer and drag it above the second footage.
   • Move the time indicator to where the second adjustment layer starts and change the scale value to 20.
   • Move forward to the end of the second adjustment layer and change the scale value back to 100.
   • Apply the Motion Tile effect to the second adjustment layer, set the output width and height to 500, and select Mirror Edges.

Step 5: Smoothing the Transition

1. Easy Ease Keyframes:
   • Select all keyframes from both adjustment layers.
   • Right-click, go to Keyframe Assistant and choose Easy Ease (shortcut: F9).
2. Adjust Keyframe Speed Graph:
   • Select the keyframes of the bottom adjustment layer.
   • Go to the Graph Editor and adjust the graph for a smoother transition.
   • Repeat the process for the second adjustment layer.

Step 6: Adding a Warp Effect

1. Create a Third Adjustment Layer:
   • Right-click and create an Adjustment Layer.
   • Reduce its duration to cover both previous adjustment layers.
   • Apply the Optics Compensation effect, select Reverse Lens Distortion, and add a keyframe on Field of View.
   • Set the field of view to 150 at the cut point between the two clips, then back to 0 at the end of the adjustment layer.
   • Easy ease the keyframes.

Step 7: Finalizing the Transition

1. Pre-compose Adjustment Layers:
   • Select all adjustment layers, right-click, and choose Pre-compose. Name it “Smooth Transition”.
   • Ensure the Adjust Composition Duration option is selected.
   • Enable the Resterize Layer option to ensure everything works correctly.
2. Preview the Transition: Add more clips if desired to see the transition in action.