Using Panoramic Photos for Motion Graphics and Visual Effects

Learn how to capture, create, and use panoramic photos that can be seamlessly integrated into After Effects and other motion graphics projects.

Panoramic photos give the motion graphics designer or visual FX artist rich source material. In this course, you'll learn how to capture, create, and use panoramic photos that can be seamlessly integrated into After Effects. These techniques are straightforward and easy to implement, yet lead to a huge boost in the quality and appeal of your work.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching this course
• Using the exercise files

1. Shooting Strategies for Panoramic Photos

• Shooting a panoramic photo handheld
• Shooting a panoramic photo with a tripod
• Using a specialty tripod head to capture more area
• Capturing a panoramic photo with your smartphone

2. Building Panoramic Photos with Lightroom

• Importing files into Lightroom
• Merging HDR files in Lightroom
• Developing strategies for HDR files in Lightroom
• Selecting images and a merging method in Lightroom
• Finishing the image by sending from Lightroom to Photoshop

3. Building Panoramic Photos with Photoshop

• Developing strategies for the source files in Photoshop
• Using the adjustment brush for tough areas
• Batch exporting the processed files
• Selecting images and a merging method in Photoshop
• Exploring merging methods
• Removing distortion with the Adaptive Wide Angle command
• Filling in empty areas with Content Aware Fill
• Merging a 360-degree panoramic photo with Photoshop

4. Creating a Looping Background

• Using the offset method with a 360-degree panoramic photo
• Adding design elements to the loop
• Creating a cylinder with pt_Panorama
• Animating the cylinder

5. Creating a Virtual Environment

• Building the environment in HDR with Lightroom
• Building the stage with pt_Panorama and advanced options
• Adding lights to the scene
• Keying in characters
• Advanced camera options for depth and focus

6. Creating Reflection Maps with Panoramic Photos

• Using a cylindrical panoramic photo to create reflections
• Using a spherical panoramic photo to create reflections
• Enhancing the appearance of reflections

Conclusion

• Next steps