Create a Realistic Glowing Eye Effect in After Effects

Introduction to Eye Glow Effects in After Effects

Glowing eyes are a powerful visual effect used in superhero, sci-fi, and fantasy videos. With just a few layers, masks, and effects in After Effects, you can easily create glowing irises or entire eyes that light up on cue. This tutorial shows you how to apply the effect using an adjustment layer, custom masks, and the Glow effect. Follow these steps to give your subject a supernatural stare.

Step 1: Import Your Footage or Photo

Go to File > Import > File, and select your video or image. Drag it onto the timeline to create a new composition. Choose footage where the subject’s eyes are visible and unobstructed for best results.

Step 2: Create a New Adjustment Layer

Go to Layer > New > Adjustment Layer. This layer will hold the glowing effect without affecting the original footage. Place it above your video or image layer in the timeline.

Step 3: Draw Masks Around the Eyes

With the adjustment layer selected, use the Pen Tool (G) to draw two masks around the irises of the eyes and set their mask mode to Add. Then draw two smaller masks over the pupils and set their mask mode to Subtract. For the iris masks, increase the Mask Feather to around 3 pixels to soften the edges.

Step 4: Animate the Masks if Needed

If your subject blinks or moves, animate the Mask Path keyframes over time to match the motion. For more accurate tracking, you can use the Tracker Panel to track the eye movement and apply the data to a null object, then parent the adjustment layer or masks to that tracking data.

Step 5: Apply Fill Effect and Choose Color

From the Effects & Presets panel, drag the Fill effect to the adjustment layer. Pick a color for the glow – commonly neon blue, red, or white for a powerful look. This base color will influence the glow. Step 6: Add the First Glow Effect

Apply the Glow effect from the Effects & Presets panel to the adjustment layer. Set Glow Threshold to 60, Glow Radius to 30, and Glow Operation to Screen. This creates the first layer of brightness.

Step 7: Change Blending Mode to Overlay

Right-click the adjustment layer, go to Blending Mode, and choose Overlay. This helps the glow blend more naturally with the skin tones and lighting in the footage.

Step 8: Add a Second Glow for Intensity

Drag the Glow effect onto the adjustment layer again. This time, set the Glow Threshold to 70 and the Glow Radius to 200. The large radius creates a soft, diffused glow that makes the eyes look more intense and supernatural.

Step 9: Adjust Opacity and Preview

Tweak the Opacity of the adjustment layer if the effect feels too strong. Press Spacebar to preview your animation or still. Fine-tune the glow settings or mask shapes for the most realistic result.

Conclusion

Creating glowing eyes in After Effects is simple yet powerful. With careful masking and a combination of glow layers, you can create subtle eye light or full-on supernatural effects. Experiment with different glow colors, sizes, and opacity levels to match the mood and style of your video.