Beautiful Lighting & Shading in After Effects with Layer Styles

An easy After Effects tutorial on how to use layer styles to achieve a realistic 3D lighting, shading, gradients and reflection effect. This tutorial is suitable for beginners.

Other artists mentioned in this video:

I'm uploading new motion design & animation tutorials every Thursday! (Sometimes Monday too)

►Please tag me on Instagram @ben_marriott_ if you've used any of the techniques from this video so I can see what awesome things you create

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►Music:
Massive thanks to madmomentsgo for providing that amazing music for my intro!

[worthlarose]

I got hired as video editor 3 years ago with no experience (I'm just a visual artist)... a couple years ago I discovered motion graphics, then later discovered your channel, and I LIVE for your uploads. My boss and team LOVE my work and I've become an asset at our company with the motion graphics/animation skills I've gained. THANK YOU for all that you do, you inspire me every day!

[arjunrsrivatsa]

whenever i feel stuck, tired, in a rut with my projects, i watch a ben marriott video, and BOOM! my creative drive comes rushing back to me!

[Vmshipe]

The Set Matte pink reflection trick was very smart!

[dartutorials]

I like it that you can achieve this Quality LeveL with just a few steps!!! Great tut as always

[Higherres]

OMFG I've worked in AE for 5 years and spent so much time fiddling with with multiple alpha mattes for different layers. I never knew the 'set matte' effect existed until this tutorial. Thank you and I'm kicking myself XD

[npurkis]

oh ... the glow with the matte... what a simple solution, and so effective! You rock, thank you xx

[yairwalden]

"Stuff doesn't need to make sense if it looks good!"
Yeah baby 😗 I live for that rule 😉

[JamesDaly]

Awesome, love it!

"This is animation, baby!" 😆

[jeorc]

The Set Matte with the Gaussian Blur is a very clever solution. Thanks so much for sharing and being so generous with your knowlege.

[mauroubel]

Ben, I can't thank you enough for all the knowledge you share! Hope you're doing well.

[leeseoungjun]

Cant believe I just found your channel. It's feels like I struct gold! Thank you for all these great contents!

[spdlla]

Ben!! That reflection trick is genius! As soon as you did that I was like "Well, duh!". Excellent video as always.

[Azi]

You are so cool! Loved this tutorial, i watched bunch of tutorials about shadow and this one just save my project, thank you🤩

[thequicksketcher]

Freakin blown away Ben, recreating Global Illumination in AE...especially on 2D layers!! Ugh...will try that Set Matte effect. So awsome👍🏼✨

[PirataGalactico]

Another thing i didn't even know existed in AE 🙈. And the reflection stuff? Chef's kiss!

[danielzana]

I want a tshirt that says, "This is Animation Baby" on the front and "We Always Label Our Layers" on the back.

[irfankusai]

"Stuff doesn't need to make sense if it looks good" just wow said 🤩👍

[Bonefishh]

Ive honestly been practicing for hours to work this program i intend to animate professionally one day and the vidoes are a breath of fresh air I will say

[moui]

I'll be using the "This is animation baby! Stuff doesn't need to make sense if it looks good!" line during client conversations a lot from now on! Thanks Ben

[JesMarwaha]

omg the set matte reflection is so simple, but so effective! bravo!