Marco Sebastiano Alessi |
February 22, 2024
If you're looking to create slow-motion footage, the Twixtor plug-in is a go-to tool known for its impressive results and is considered a must-have for slowing down video footage.
While most video editing software offers effects to create slow motion, Twixtor sets itself apart by making the process easy and seamless. In this article, we'll explore how to use Twixtor in After Effects and also cover how to troubleshoot common issues that might arise while using it.
Let's dive in!
What is the Twixtor Plug-in?
First, let's talk about the plug-in. Twixtor is a video effects plug-in for retiming and speed changes like fast and slow motion and frame rate conversion. It's available for Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, HitFilm, VEGAS Pro, and more.
Hollywood productions often use a higher frame rate to shoot scenes that will have a slow-motion effect. It allows the post-production team to retime the footage and create those stunning slow-motion scenes. It's easy this way because there are enough frames to extend the footage, but an ordinary video with a standard frame rate will certainly be missing frames.
Twixtor analyzes the video footage on a frame-by-frame basis to estimate the movement from the frame before and after to create frames in between. When other post-production software tries to do this, you usually get a video with many artifacts, warps, and frame blending.
Among the best features of Twixtor you can find:
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Motion estimation.
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Frame by frame keyframing.
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Frame rate conversion.
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Retime 360 videos.
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Enhance dark imagery.
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Object separation (Twixtor Pro).
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User-defined track points (Twixtor Pro).
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Motion vector import and export (Twixtor Pro).
How to Use Twixtor in After Effects
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Step 1: Import Video Footage
Launch Adobe After Effects and create or open an existing project. Go to File > Import > File and browse the video clip on your computer. Then, drag the video clip to the new composition icon to create a new composition and add the video clip to the timeline.
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Step 2: Apply Twixtor Plug-in to your Composition
To add Twixtor to your video clip, go to the menu Effect and search for RE:Vision Plugins > Twixtor/Twixtor Pro. Ensure you have the video clip layer selected to enable the Effect menu.
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Step 3: Twixtor Initial Settings
Twixtor default settings are usually good enough. However, let's review the ones you should pay attention to. Go over the Effect Controls panel and display Twixtor settings. The Display setting should be set as 'Twixtored Output.'
Ensure the option 'In FPS is Out FPS' is checked to use the same frame rate as the source video clip. If you don't have that option with the check box, you must type it manually.
To find the original FPS, go to Composition > Composition Settings. Around the middle of the dialog box, you will find the composition's frame rate. Type this value in the 'Input: Frame Rate.'
Select Time Remap Mode as Speed. If you have Twixtor Pro, you will see additional settings here you can explore.
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Step 4: Create a Fast or Slow Motion Effect
Start by deciding how slow you want your scene to be, depending on the mood you want to create. Adjust the speed using the 'Speed %' setting under Output Control. By default, it is at 100%, meaning its original speed. Based on that, you can set the speed to 50% to slow the video to half the original speed or increase it to speed up the video.
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Step 5: Animate the Twixtor Effect
You can keyframe the Speed values if you want to use different speeds across your video. Place the playhead on the first frame, set the speed to 100%, and click the clock watch next to Speed % to create a keyframe.
Then, move the playhead to a point where you want to make it slower or faster and change the speed value. You can add multiple keyframes to make the effects of slowing down and then speed it up.
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Step 6: Tips for Fixing Issues
Depending on your settings, the video clip, and the speed changes you make, some common issues can occur during the process. Here's a list of the most common ones and possible solutions.
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Change Compositionβs Duration
When you speed up your footage, you will notice that Twixtor will retain the last frame for the rest of the original duration of the clip. The plug-in cannot change the clip's duration, so if your original video is 10 seconds and you speed it up by 200%, your new clip will be 5 seconds, but the last frame will repeat for five more seconds. To fix this, go to Composition > Composition Settings and change the duration of your composition to match the speed-up footage.
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Reduce Unwanted Warps and Frame Blending
If your footage has warps, adjust the Motion Sensitivity to limit how many pixels can move. You can decrease it to help reduce warping or increase it to fix frame blending. If you present both unwanted warps and frame blending, you can keyframe the values in Motion Sensitivity to address both issues.
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Using Track Points (Twixtor Pro only)
Track points are available only with Twixtor Pro. Using track points, you can tell Twixtor to look at specific areas to create a smoother image, reducing artifacts and other issues.
Display the Track Points parameter, click the 'Pt 1: Use' dropdown menu, and select the layer you want to use (usually your main background). Next, click the target icon from 'Pt 1: Pos' and place it on the object you want to focus on. You can add up to 12 points this way.
You must keyframe each tracking point to ensure it follows the object correctly. Click the stopwatch from 'Pt 1: Use' and 'Pt 1: Pos', and move frame by frame to adjust each track point following the movement. This method is time-consuming but will provide better results with reduced artifacts.
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Twixtor Alternatives
You can find alternatives to Twixtor After Effects for changing the speed of your videos or frame rate conversion. Some options exist as post-production software plugins and others as standalone applications. You can read our post with the best Twixtor alternatives to try in 2024, in which plug-ins like Continuum and Sapphire stand out.
Final Words
Twixtor can be both simple and complex to use, depending on the footage you're working with. While its default settings often provide great results, don't be afraid to experiment with its settings to unlock new possibilities and create slow-motion effects with fewer artifacts.
Finally, if you encounter tricky shots that don't seem to respond well to Twixtor, it's worth exploring other alternative methods to achieve the desired effect. Remember, the key to success is to always keep experimenting and pushing the boundaries of what's possible!
Good luck!
FAQ
How to Install Twixtor in After Effects?
Go to Twixtor's After Effects download page and select your operative system. Unzip and run the installer following the on-screen instructions. You must have the key you receive with your purchase to activate Twixtor during the installation. If you don't have it or just want to try Twixtor, you can install the demo and activate it later. Once the installation is complete, Twixtor will be in your effects library.
