Create 2D liquid titles and transitions in After Effects

Liquid Effects are a lot of fun and can help you add a consistent style across your video projects. You may think liquid effects have limited uses. Still, with just a few tweaks to our method, you can create spooky slime, flowing water, neon concoctions, and gently rolling waves, ideal for seasonal projects and celebration videos.

• Learn to create trendy liquid title effects with a fun bubble flourish.
• Build your fluid style transitions for your After Effects compositions.
• Discover our top 3 Motion Array Liquid Effects template packs available to download today.

Create your Base Title Layer

The first step is to create the base title layer. Using this method, you can swiftly change the copy in your title without rebuilding the Liquid Effect each time.

1. In a New Comp, grab the Title tool from the top toolbar and click on the screen.
2. Type your text and adjust the Size, position, font, and alignment as required.
3. Select the Title Layer and right-click > Precompose. Name the new comp Title Layer.
4. Click off the Title Layer in the Timeline and select the Rectangle Tool.
5. In the Media Viewer, Draw a rectangle that covers your title.
6. Select the Shape Layer and hit P on your Keyboard to open the Position properties.
7. Create a Position Keyframe for the Shape Layer with your Playhead at the start of the Timeline.
8. Move the Playhead forward around 3 seconds and create a second Keyframe.
9. Return to the first Keyframe and drag the Shape Layer so the rectangle sits below your title.
10. Go to Effects > Distort > Turbulent Displace with the Shape Layer selected.
11. In the Effects Controls Panel, adjust the Amount to 180.
12. Find the Evolution setting, and while holding Alt, click the Stopwatch.
13. In the Expression Box in the TImeline, type Time*400 and click off the box.
14. Next, go to Effects > Styalize > Roughen Edges.
15. Adjust the Border to 30 and the Scale to 150.
16. In the Layers Menu, drag the Shape Layer below your Title Layer.
17. Go to the Tack Matte drop-down menu for the Shape Layer and choose the Title Layer.
18. Play through your animation, adjusting the Position of your Shape as needed.
19. Select the Shape Layer and find the Turbulent Displace Evolution settings in the Effects Control Panel.
20. Adjust the Evolution to change how the liquid Effect animates within your title. 

Top Tip: Try playing around with the settings we’ve used to create different styles of liquid effects.

Duplicate your Liquid Layers

The liquid Effect already looks cool, but you can add depth and color to your animation with a few quick duplicates.

1. Select the Title Layer and the Shape Layer and right-click > Precomose.
2. Name the new Composition Liquid Title.
3. Go to the Effects Panel and search for Fill.
4. Add it to your Liquid Title Comp and adjust the color in the Effects Control Panel.
5. Select the Comp in the Timeline and hit Command/Control + D to Duplicate the Layer.
6. Choose a color for the second Liquid Effects Layer in the Effects Control Panel.
7. Drag the duplicate down the Timeline to offset the animation slightly.
8. Repeat the process, adjusting the color and offsetting the animation each time to build as many liquid layers as you want.

Add Bubbles to your Liquid Effect

Adding Bubbles to your Liquid Effects is a simple flourish that can help sell your liquid compositions, and it’s probably easier than you think.

1. Go to Layer > New > Solid Layer.
2. Name the Solid Bubbles and adjust the color to white.
3. Select the Solid in the Timeline and go to Effects > Simulations > CC Bubble.
4. In the Effects Control Panel, adjust the Shading setting to None.
5. Increase the Amount to 800 and the Size to 2 – you can play around with these settings to suit your design.
6. Play through the animation and adjust the Amplitude of the Bubbles to match the movement in your Liquid Title.
7. Duplicate the first Title Layer composition by selecting it and hitting Command/Control + D on your Keyboard.
8. Move the duplicate to above the Bubble Layer.
9. In the Layers Menu, change the Bubble Layer Track Matter to the Title Layer sitting above it in the Timeline.
10. Find the Fill Effect in the Effects Panel and add it to the Bubble Layer.
11. Adjust the color in the Effects Control Panel to suit your Composition.

How to create 2D liquid transition effects from scratch in Adobe After Effects

You can use a method similar to the liquid title effects to produce cool liquid transitions. Creating similar transitions allows you to offer your viewer consistency across your video or project.

1. Create a New Comp by hitting Command/Control + N and call it Transition Effect.
2. Make the Size of the New Comp larger than the Main Comp to which it will be added.
3. In the Transition Effect Comp, create a Rectangle Shape that covers the screen.
4. Move your Playhead to the start of the Timeline and create a Position Keyframe for the Shape Layer.
5. Move forward a second or two and create a Position Keyframe.
6. Move back to the first Keyframe and drag the Shape Layer off-screen in the direction you want it to animate.
7. Select the Shape Layer and go to Effect> Distort > Turbulent Displace.
8. Adjust the Displace Type to Twist and the Amount to 150.
9. Go to the Main Comp where you want to use the Transition and drag the Transition Comp to the TImeline.
10. In the Effects Panel, search for Fill and add it to the Transition Layer.
11. Using the same method as with your Text animation, duplicate the Transition Layer, adjust the color, and offset it to create depth in your animation.

Top 3 Motion Array 2D Liquid Animation Templates

Motion Array has a massive library of liquid effects you can download and use in your projects if you don’t have the time or energy to create your own liquid effects from scratch. Let’s check out 3 of our favorites.

Deep Dive Titles

The Deep Dive Titles pack includes 7 In and 7 Out transitions for your title elements. Splashing onto the screen, these presets turn your titles into a gloopy puddle of liquid jiggling around before melting away. With customizable colors and full-screen scaling, these effects offer a cartoony, comedic style.

Download Deep Dive Titles Now

Instagram Text Stories

The Instagram Text Stories includes 12 stunning portrait compositions ready to customize for your social channels. The collection includes 21 text placeholders and 3 logo placeholders, with customizable color combinations, ideal for a fun and consistent social media set.

Download Instagram Text Stories Now

Flash FX Shape Lines

The Flash FX Shape Lines pack is the ideal liquid starter collection, including 12 stunning, hand-drawn liquid flourishes. Scalable to full-screen, these incredible assets can be used as Transition, title animations, and liquid flourishes for your ARE compositions. 

Download Flash FX Shape Lines Now

Liquid Effects are a lot of fun to create and can be eye-catching and engaging for your viewers. Knowing how to make liquid effects from scratch can help you in many projects and styles. Check out our guide to creating melting liquid titles if you want more liquid effects.