<p>One option without using any 3rd party plugins is to track the motion of the object you want to leave a trail, apply that motion to a shape layer, then apply an echo effect to it. Additional effects like glow, and motion blur (all native effects), and playing with transfer modes and opacity will help sell it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T07:02:23.430Z
2020-05-18T07:02:23.430Z
stib
<p>Ok Im trying to emulate light path effects in aftereffects like this at this point (the weapon swing): <a href="https://youtu.be/6gX-dCaLCo0?t=66" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://youtu.be/6gX-dCaLCo0?t=66</a></p>

<p>I saw this tutorial, however it only works on windows: <a href="https://youtu.be/HxyGDekCGEs" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://youtu.be/HxyGDekCGEs</a></p>

<p>How can I create the light glow/trail effect here in AE?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-16T14:04:22.980Z
Trapcode particular is available for Mac, too. What about that tutorial was windows specific? One of my biggest gripes with after effects is that 99% of the time you see something cool done with it, it’s always a third-party plug-in doing the heavy lifting.
Jason Conrad
<after-effects>
How to get light swish/trail effect in aftereffects?
blue
# How to get light swish/trail effect in aftereffects?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-16)

Ok Im trying to emulate light path effects in aftereffects like this at this point (the weapon swing): <https://youtu.be/6gX-dCaLCo0?t=66>

I saw this tutorial, however it only works on windows: <https://youtu.be/HxyGDekCGEs>

How can I create the light glow/trail effect here in AE?

**Tags:** after-effects

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Trapcode particular is available for Mac, too. What about that tutorial was windows specific? One of my biggest gripes with after effects is that 99% of the time you see something cool done with it, it’s always a third-party plug-in doing the heavy lifting.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-05-18. Score: 2

One option without using any 3rd party plugins is to track the motion of the object you want to leave a trail, apply that motion to a shape layer, then apply an echo effect to it. Additional effects like glow, and motion blur (all native effects), and playing with transfer modes and opacity will help sell it.


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