Motion Tile in After Effects is used primarily to extend the edges of a layer, creating seamless looping backgrounds or visual effects by repeating the layer's content. You can also use it to scale down a layer and repeat it.
Steps to Use Motion Tile:
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Apply the Effect: Select your layer in the After Effects timeline. Go to Effect > Stylize > Motion Tile.
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Adjust Tile Center: The "Tile Center" property determines the center point from which the tiling originates. Adjust this to position the tiled pattern as desired.
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Adjust Tile Width and Height: The tile width and tile height properties control the scaling. For example, changing the "Tile Width" from 100 to 50 scales the layer down by half horizontally, creating more tiles.
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Control Mirroring: The "Mirror Edges" option creates a seamless transition at the edges by mirroring the content. This is especially useful for creating looping backgrounds. Enable it for a smoother repeating effect.
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Output Width and Height: The "Output Width" and "Output Height" properties extend the layer beyond its original dimensions. Increase these values to see the tiling effect.
Example Uses:
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Creating Looping Backgrounds: Apply Motion Tile and adjust the "Output Width" and "Output Height" to fill the composition. Use "Mirror Edges" for a seamless loop. Then animate the "Tile Center" property to create the illusion of movement.
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Repeating Patterns: Scale down the layer using "Tile Width" and "Tile Height" (e.g., setting both to 50% will create a 2x2 grid).
Key Properties Explained:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Tile Center | Determines the origin point for the tiling effect. |
| Output Width | Controls the width of the tiled output. |
| Output Height | Controls the height of the tiled output. |
| Tile Width | Scales the layer horizontally, affecting the number of tiles across. |
| Tile Height | Scales the layer vertically, affecting the number of tiles down. |
| Mirror Edges | Creates a seamless transition by mirroring the edges of the layer. |
By adjusting these parameters, you can create various visual effects, from simple repeating patterns to complex animated backgrounds.
