FINALLY a TRUE GRADIENT STROKE Along a Path | Easy After Effects Tutorial | No Plugins!

In this After Effects Tutorial I'm gonna show you a simple trick to create a real gradient stroke that follows the path.
You dont' even need a plugin, like the thicc stroke plugin or a 3D Software, like cinema 4D to create a gradient along a path.
Unfortunately the shape layers in After Effects don't offer a true gradient stroke along a path (yet)
But with my little hack you can achieve a color gradient that aligns with the path. And with a simple click you can fake the great ouroboros plugin :)
Enjoy watching!
#aftereffects #motiondesign #aftereffectstutorial

[@sayandsathish5114]

This video is criminally underviewed

[@MichaelPonch]

Haha, thank you 😎. I hope it gets a higher view number in the long run

[@nesir82]

I am starting a new job next week and the company has a gradient line element like this and I wanted to create animation like this.This video is just what I needed. Thank you!

[@MichaelPonch]

Hi 👋! Glad I could help you. Good luck with your new job 😊

[@nesir82]

@@MichaelPonch Thank you so much!

[@adityasisodia6288]

This was simply genius. I hope you get the views you deserve.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much. That’s encouraging 😊

[@simoneblax]

I was about to write the same comment!

[@millthor]

He deserves a lot more!

[@mplswilliam]

What a clever method, you’re a lifesaver Michael! Seriously appreciated.

[@motionwithoskar]

Came back to this vid after forgetting your technique, just had to comment again this is such a smart hack you came up with Michael.

[@manjimsadik]

Michael , mate I pray for ya,
U got a full time freelance job and a family and u are also making vids on the side , I am just wow ,
I just got only school which is also online , and that's it and still I find it hard to come up with content ,
A lot of respect to you ,
Literally got my motivation for today ,🧡

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, bud, for your encouraging words 😎. Keep creating content, man 😊

[@MichaelLuckhardt]

I wracked my brain on how to do this years ago (2018-2019) and couldn't get any answer. you've finally cracked the code my man. Thank you!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. It has it’s flaws but for simple things it’s perfect!

[@vaultinnsrl8192]

is it not a shame these adobe things dont have by default such a BASIC stuff!!?!?
thank you michael!

[@dineshjadhav6748]

Wo wo wo.. Outstanding!
Really genius and such a great trick

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, man 😊

[@brynocerouss]

This is absolutely genius! Thank you for sharing :)

[@marcelodesigner]

You are brilliant, amazing and smart work. Greetings from Brazil

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much! And cheers from Germany 😊

[@iQuatro]

Crafty!! Thanks for sharing Michael. Cant wait to try this out!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you, Jeremy 😊

[@holke79]

This is truly genius!!! Thanks mate.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you and welcome 😊

[@kainiembro5282]

Such a simple and elegant solution! You are the man!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, Kai 😊

[@LalitaM14]

THANK YOOOOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!! I was spiraling because I couldn't find a way to achieve this, you saved me from shitty animations

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome and thank you, too 😊

[@wooxul]

Michael you are absolute genius! Thank you for all your tutorials.

[@EliteSports2001]

This guy is underrated he is so freaking awesome

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, man 😎

[@adrianferrette]

You are a GOD!
Thank you for your insightful & entertaining tutorial 🙌🏽

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks man 😊. It was just a little idea that luckily worked well

[@mikolajkamler]

Thanks Michael! Awesome hack - and simple, too! Just could you tell me please if there's a way to create a tapered stroke with this technique? I'm at a loss since you're using the tapering to create the gradient... perhaps I'm not attentive enough 🙂 Anyway, thanks for this and the other tutorials too ( the 3D strokes is my favorite ) - impressive work!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you :). I developed a hack with taper, but it’s more complicated. Therefore I made a little template 😊 ruclips.net/video/thheZU1GS30/видео.htmlsi=Y1ZrAg1AWAk9fABz

[@mikolajkamler]

Yes! Thanks again,@@MichaelPonch ! Downloaded it. 🙂

[@AnEsotericMind]

Oh this deserves way more than 2k watches, I dont even own after effects and you were so engaging I watched half of the video before realizing Im going to get After Effects now lol. Saved vid for later - def gonna need this.

[@DopeAtoms]

This was a brilliant tutorial that may have just saved my bacon with a current job I'm working on! Thanks Michael, you are a legend .. The notification bell has been rung!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, man 😎. And thank you for subscribing to my channel. It’s nice too see that my method made it into a real life project 😊

[@DopeAtoms]

@@MichaelPonch 100% man, I've been using after effects for close to ten years but never really delved too much into the potential of the effects and presets.. I liked the way you explained why you were applying what you were applying and what effect it was having on the overall composition. After effects is all about problem solving and I'm here for more!

[@vinhdo1609]

I'm just afraid all of your videos just got so few views and u got no motivation to upload other video. then I can never learn anything from u. just truly genius. 😫😫

[@MichaelPonch]

Don’t worry. For me it’s not all about views. I love to create videos and share my knowledge. I’m happy how my channel is growing. Slowly but it’s growing. Thank you for your encouraging words 😊

[@SlingoRyan]

Thanks dude ! Really cool technique, you saved the game !

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks man 😊. I also try to find an easy way to get rid of the overlapping problem. So stay tuned 😎

[@tuisilva1]

does this work on a circle shape stroke ?? or does it only work with bezier paths ??

[@ABBabaei]

You are a genius Michael a freaking genius 🔥

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, bud 😊

[@AndrewMarston]

Genius. I'm saving this as a preset.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. Good idea to save it as a preset 👌🏻

[@publicsaar]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! This is wonderful and very well explained!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks for your feedback, bud 😎

[@game_screen8007]

You actually seem like avery genius and intelligent guy Mr.michael and I appreciate your effort so much I suffered without plug ins

[@wa7smail]

Thank you man! i was struggling with the gradient in a project and this helped a lot!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😎. I’m glad it could help tou solve your problem

[@981esraa]

Helped me with my logo animation like magic, thaaaanks!

[@MichaelPonch]

How can I help you? 😊

[@981esraa]

@@MichaelPonch I meant in my comment that you really helped me and it looks great with the gradient with your method, so thank you very much! 🙏🏾😊

[@MichaelPonch]

Oh…..I overlooked the ‘d’ in ‘helped’ 😂. But thanks again. Glad, I could help you 😎

[@dpante]

Dude AMAZING, thank you for this solve!!

[@adrianolopes_sp]

wow. That was awesome. You are a genius sir. Thank you very much! 😍😍😍

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, man 😎

[@peripecia]

So simple I'm scared. Thank you so much!

[@MichaelPonch]

Haha :). Thank you as well for watching my tutorial.

[@Logoanimationservice]

Great tutorial

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 🙏

[@wemeetatfajr]

truly innovative. thank you

[@JaromTV]

Great solution! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much. Glad, you found my solution helpful 😎

[@WilStevens39]

Very cool technique. TIP: I found I had to go back and edit the levels again after adjusting the stroke width.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. Right, it’s a combination of adjusting levels and blur 😊

[@alithomaga]

Super helpfull. clear and very well explained. kisses to the cat 🙂

[@MASSIF101]

That was a tip top quality tip 🎉 I'm going to have some real fun with this

[@WiLDeveD]

You are Awesome man ! impressive Technique used in the Tutorial ...

[@mkman2506]

Your Contents are so underrated! Very creative Techniques. Kudos Man

[@porteauloin]

Man ! You good!
I was looking for that for years

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. Yeah, me too. I’ve used other complicated hacks or went over to Cinema4D 😂

[@michaelbarakat5700]

really in depth, thanks!

[@steventatlow974]

Thank you Michael

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome, Steven 😊

[@mattuxa]

Thank you! You saved my time :)

[@hanaklust2737]

Thank you for sharing. :-) how can I smooth the line? I can see pixels in edge.

[@Ikersoonicall]

Thanks a LOT for sharing your knowledge, also great teacher.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much😎. I’m trying to be a good teacher 😊

[@shanonzu]

the best tutorial in the world

[@RafaelShikamaru_]

WOOOOW! GENIUS!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@michaellemmetti4528]

Thank you! I had been searching for a solution for ages. Big help!

[@IronTony1337]

Good Job coming up with that! And thank you for Sharing

[@angelcan1394]

Thank you thank you thank you 🙏 🙏

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😊

[@BrendanSadaka]

Found this through the School of Motion newsletter - be prepared to blow up man 😄

[@MichaelPonch]

Whaaat?!? That would be an accolade 😊. Thanks for the hint!

[@MichaelPonch]

May I ask when this newsletter came out. Because I also subscribed to School of Motion’s newsletter. Thanks 🙏

[@BrendanSadaka]

@@MichaelPonch today (Monday Oct 25) at 8am EST

[@taslimaakterlipi]

Outstanding!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks ☺️

[@marcsen5206]

You are so good! Thx

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much 😊

[@cbaschan]

Thanks Michael!

[@allanyeo]

awesome tutorial, Thanks michael!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, Allan 😎

[@AlexisFerragne]

Génial !!

[@soliasmotion]

It's a shame RUclips allows me to click the like button only once...... This stuff is that awesome !

[@whoopsbrokeit]

This is great. Thanks for sharing!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks very much. And thank for watching my tutorial 😎

[@sheikh_sohel]

Thanks buddy

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome, bud 😊

[@delta_shift]

Great tutorial! I've just subscribed.

[@superslimshady123]

Thanks a lot!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😊

[@poopyseol]

you saved my life

[@MichaelPonch]

Glad you found it useful! Thank you 😊

[@jeremygirodon]

this is so awesome !!
THX

[@yang0Sujin]

OMG...Thank you so much!! It's exactly what I'm looking for 0_0!!!!!!

[@MARCASTELEONchannel]

Amazing! thanks!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome ☺️

[@dixnsons]

Genius.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@bodonyigy]

Standing ovation!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you, sir 😎

[@sullenraccoon]

Cool Tutorial!

[@llrainll]

Amazing stuff !

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@sounder7564]

thats second video i watched from your channel, in youtube recomends. and i subscribe you🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@tonywalters66]

Brilliant....perfect for what i need. Ta mate

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks very much 😊

[@neo7566]

Genius!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@foxtrooper34]

What a banger ! Thanks !

[@uberfrau17]

Great! Thank you very much!

[@nonmahram]

i actually love this tutorial, this is so good

[@linnealowden7904]

Great tutorial, thank you!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😊

[@eduardoasta]

Thanks!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😊

[@habeshakings15]

thank you so so sooooooooooooooooooooooo much

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😊

[@AlexNesh]

you are genius!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thanks, man 😎

[@nightnativesmusic]

Thanks so much Michael!

[@MichaelPonch]

Welcome 😊

[@vidalmateos3416]

Really great teacher and always interesting tips on this channel, thank you!

[@marcellomorgan]

wow, thank you so much!

[@GrahamCross-l5h]

You can type a load of • as a text layer, crush the kerning, draw a mask stroke on the text layer, align to path, add a text animator with a fill colour, ramp up, now you have a gradient stroke. You can make it 3D too and have each text character align to camera.

[@sunsetpark_fpv]

Sounds like a great idea for a tutorial vid.... 😎 I'm going to try this idea....

[@Joker-su7qy]

wow just amazing

[@alixghandour]

Thanks for this, it worked great! However I am having trouble exporting it. I keep running into an error when trying to open the mov. Any ideas there? Thanks!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. As for your problem maybe it’s the video player. When you imported the mov back into after effects, play it back and there’s no error, then the file is OK. Otherwise it may be corrupt. Did you have enough disk space or did you accidentally exported one frame?

[@alixghandour]

@@MichaelPonch The video corrupts somehow, it wouldn't even open in VLC player. But I figured out how to fix:
In media encoder, Quicktime is already selected. Somehow, selecting something else, and then selecting Quicktime again fixes it. I don't know why, but seems to be a glitch within the app.

[@MichaelPonch]

Mov makes sense when you further edit it in Premiere Pro, DaVinci etc. Better use mp4/h.264 when it’s your final result anyway.

[@alixghandour]

@@MichaelPonch yeah but I needed a transparent background

[@MichaelPonch]

Maybe a Quicktime Player would be better than VLC as the mov format comes from Quicktime/Apple

[@marthjel]

Very smart!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@Peddaaaaa]

Hi, thanks for this great tutorial!
Is it possible to taper the stroke? (since we're using the tapering to blend the colors together)

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. Unfortunately it’s not possible here. But I created a setup based in this technique, where tapering is possible. You can download it for free: ruclips.net/video/thheZU1GS30/видео.html

[@Tyler-zb6ec]

this is so awesome. Thank you!

[@ИннаБолгова-х4о]

Thanks for the cool idea! You're a cool author. Thank you for finding simple ways to work around the shortcomings of After Effects.
Perhaps you have some ideas - how to solve the limitations of the collapse transformation function.
For example, if it is active in a precompose that is in 3D, then 3D is broken. That is, the precompose behaves strangely in space and does not take into account the Z position .
The second problem is that when collapse transformation is active, effects cannot be applied to the same 3D layer (precompose). If you add any effect, 3D will fly off. For example, it will not work to add a shadow, blur, etc. It's infuriating.
The third problem is that collapse transformation doesn't work if the layer has styles. This is generally a disaster)
In general, collapse transformation is a useful function, but there are a lot of problems with it when you need to apply additional effects to a layer that has it enabled.
You may have ideas on how to save collapse transformation, but not lose the ability to add effects. You had a lesson about the Calculation effect to avoid precomposes. Perhaps it can also help solve this problem somehow. I'm not sure.

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊. Your problem sounds complex . Without knowing the specifics of your AE Project maybe it helps when all the layers within the precomp have the 3D layer checkbox on? This should at least solve your problem 01. To my understanding the effects on a collapsed layer work as if the layers are still 2D. Maybe split the layers into another composition the necessarily doesn’t need collapse?

[@ИннаБолгова-х4о]

@@MichaelPonch Thank you for your reply) Yes, in words it is not very clear what the point is. So I will try to record a small screencast to show you. I hope this won't take up much of your time.

[@aliciacampbell6336]

Love it, thanks

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you, Alicia 😊

[@EnriqShockwave]

Nice thanks for the tip!

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you, Adam 😊

[@BarakatMultimedia]

Hi @michael Ponch. this was brilliant, thanks for sharing this hack. I also tried to figure out how to take out opacity to the path's end point so we can animate the end side of the path as if it was fading but didnt find a good workaround for this. By instance, I can add a mask to the end of the path and change its feather settings but then need to constantly animate the mask. Any other tricks for this? Thanks in advance

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you very much 😊. I’m not in front of AE right know but this could be a solution: Duplicate the layer and remove the color effect so you have a black&white gradient. Use this layer as a Luma Matte for the colored Gradient 😊

[@tonydinesh]

Great Tutorial.. 👍

[@sneaky_1]

Phenomenal

[@Skyprex]

Really good to know! Thanks:)

[@prasanthsenthil1092]

Genius 👍

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you 😊

[@rwonder616]

Bruh, u are genuis! :)

[@MichaelPonch]

Thank you. Just a simple idea that suddenly came into my mind :)

[@asmkawsar]

Super cool 💜💜💜