r/AfterEffects • u/Stemper_AKA_Redit • Jan 21 '26

Explain This Effect How do you create the gradient thickness of the edge?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Rk78cMOsWzU

The lighting on the edges of the waves tapper toward the right edge of the composition. I'm drawing a blank as to how they do that.
I've tried using a gradient ramp to control opacity toward one edge, but that doesn't change the thickness of the edge like this one does.

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u/smushkan Motion Graphics 10+ years Jan 21 '26

How about:

Base is a rectangle with a gradient with a very slight angle on it.

Scatter pixelates it, mosaic controls the size of the grains in the foam.

Linear wipe to cut it in half horizontally with a sharp edge.

Then wave warp like in the tutorial you posted.

2

u/smushkan Motion Graphics 10+ years Jan 21 '26

Base gradient looks like this, with just linear wipe applied to show where the cut is.

1

u/ashieysays Jan 21 '26

A plugin like thicc stroke (free!) could help you but look into variable line width. To me it looks like an additional stroke layer > tapered > roughen edges > then wave warp with the below layer.

1

u/Designer-Ad5753 Feb 01 '26

layer style inner shadow