Is it complex to stabilize video in After Effects?

It has become a common practice of filmmakers or videographers to use sliders and gimbals on camera to stabilize the video on the shooting spot. Even though such advanced iterations are to put a full stop to shaky and blurry video clips, your videos still need some grooming where stabilization effects from top-notch software can fill the space. One such platform is After Effects from the Adobe family. Not just one, but we shall offer four different choices to stabilize footage in After Effects. Yes, if you are a video editor or a newbie to the filmmaking field, then you have come to the right spot. With no delay, get into the world of stabilization from Adobe After Effects.

Part 1: How to stabilize footage After Effects?

As stated before, they are four ways to stabilize footage in After Effects, and here is a session with an overview and step-by-step procedure on how to accomplish the task.     

1. After effects stabilize motion

Designed especially for motion tracking, we will discuss the After Effects stabilize motion feature first on the line popularly known as the old school legacy. This option is the best-to-go that comes quite different in Adobe After Effects with the tracking keyframes, tracking box, and the analysis action to fix the shaky video. Although it seems simple, it is a powerful effect referred to as a camera trick used in a popular film like Sherlock Film starred by Robert Downey. To apply the After Effects stabilize motion feature in your shaky video, follow the below manual.

Step 1: Navigate to the Windows Menu

Once you have imported your video to the workplace, tap on the Windows menu from the top toolbar, choose the Tracker option and make a checkmark on it.

Step 2: Hit Stabilize Motion

Now, you will end up at the Tracker Panel, and from the right panel, tap the Stabilize Motion button. A tracker box will appear on the panel that you need to place on the object in motion.

Step 3: Adjust tracking points

If you have set up the tracking box, click the Play option to see how well the tracker must be attached to the specified spot.

If you notice that the points are a bit awry, you can adjust the end manually and again track the video.

Step 4: Apply changes

You have now successfully stabilized the motion of the video, where you can change the target location if required. Else tap the Apply button to get the job done.

2. Warp Stabilizer

Our next option to stabilize After Effects videos is the popular warp stabilizer feature with the drag-and-drop functionality. Being the best bet to stabilize motion in your video, the Warp Stabilizer is easy-to-use that yields professional results. Warp Stabilizer works on the methodology by analyzing the entire frame. With the background rendering effect, the warp stabilizer creates mini track points on objects.

Step 1: Find Warp Stabilizer

On the Effects & Presets panel, find the Warp Stabilizer option or, on the effects search bar, type Warp to find it.

Step 2: Apply Layer effect

Now, on the desired layer, drag the effect to the selected layer or footage.

Step 3: Warp Stabilizer analysis

Once the Warp Stabilizer effect is applied, an automatic analysis will run, indicating a blue bar, while the stabilizing phase will get displayed in an orange bar.

Step 4: Adjust the effect

Upon stabilization, start a preview, and make adjustments if required.

3. Mocha AE

Aware of the secret After Effects stabilize feature with the 2D tracking action? Yes, Mocha AE is another mode of stabilization technique different from the above-discussed methods to stabilize footage After Effects. Providing tools like planar tracker, shape tracking abilities, and so on, you can transform video to the next level with Mocha AE.

Step 1: Choose the Mocha AE Option

Once you imported the video to the project panel, navigate to the Animation menu and choose the Track in Mocha AE option.

Step 2: Make a mask

Mocha AE CC plugin will now get initialized, and data will enter automatically. Once done, you will enter into the mocha AE CC working window following a mask on the object you wish to stabilize.

Step 3: Choose the motion effect

After masking the video footage, navigate the Motions tab, and choose the desired effects from Translation, shear, perspective, rotation, and scale.

To track the selected video footage, click on the Track Forward button on the panel. You will have to wait for a little while stabilization is in progress.

Step 4: Preview and Export  

Preview the stabilized video, and click on the Export Tracking Data to export or download the resultant video.

4. ReelSteady

For applying After Effects stabilize motion effect, the above-discussed in-built methods are not just the only choice, but using a plugin like ReelSteady is the best option. Providing smoother stabilization, ReelSteady is a simple-to-use plugin that offers a clear picture of how the stabilized video will look without even starting the process yet. Although it provides outstanding masking functionality, ReelSteady stands back for being a pricey option.

Step 1: Find ReelSteady Effect

Import the video onto the After Effects workspace, and execute Effects > ReelSteady.

Step 2: Enter the ReelSteady panel  

You will now enter the ReelSteady panel window, where you can adjust parameters like animation presets, analysis speed, shot type, other presets, rolling shutter, smoothness, and so on from the left corner.

Step 3: Adjust and preview

You can now adjust or alter the parameters as per the requirement.

Once complete, preview the video to compare it with the old one. Once satisfied, export the video.

Conclusion

Now that you have explored our today’s article on how to apply video stabilization in after effects, now, tell me, was it easy to stabilize video After Effects or not? I hope it’s a yes. So, why are you waiting for so long? Thus, get ready to repair your shaky video today with After Effects stabilize techniques.