The Circular Ripple effect is a creative tool for adding dynamic, ripple like distortions to your video layers. Inspired by the ripples formed when a pebble is dropped into water, this effect can bring motion and life to otherwise static layers. This article will explore how the Circular Ripple effect works and how to use it effectively in your projects.
What is the Circular Ripple Effect?

The Circular Ripple effect distorts a video or image layer by creating a ripple pattern radiating from a central point. This effect is perfect for:
- Simulating water ripples.
- Adding a dreamy or surreal touch to your scenes.
- Creating engaging intros or transitions.
Key Properties of the Circular Ripple Effect
To make the most of the Ripple effect, itโs essential to understand its main properties:
1. Center
The Center determines the origin point of the ripple pattern. The coordinates are measured in units relative to the layerโs size, with (0,0) representing the layer’s center.
- Default Value: (0, 0)
2. Frequency
This property controls the number of waves in the ripple pattern. A higher frequency means more waves spaced closely together, while a lower frequency creates fewer, more widely spaced waves.
- Range: 0 to 100
- Default Value: 20
3. Strength
The Strength defines the amount of distortion applied to the layer. Positive values create outward ripples, while negative values create inward distortions.
- Range: -1 to 1
- Default Value: 0.03
4. Phase
Phase adjusts the starting position of the ripples. Increasing the Phase value makes the ripples contract toward the center while decreasing it makes them expand outward. For seamless loops, ensure the Phase value ends at a multiple of its starting fraction (e.g., 0.5 to 4.5).
- Range: -1000 to 1000
- Default Value: 0
5. Radius
Radius sets the reach of the ripple effect from the center point. A value of 0.5 means the ripple will touch the edges of the project if centered.
- Range: 0 to 0.8
- Default Value: 0.3
6. Feather
Feather determines how smoothly the rippleโs strength diminishes at the edges. Low values create abrupt cutoffs, while higher values create gradual transitions.
- Range: 0 to 1
- Default Value: 0.1
Tips for Using the Circular Ripple Effect
The Circular animation effects are versatile and can be adapted to various creative scenarios. Here are some tips to get the best results:
1. Combine with Other Effects
Apply the Circular Ripple effect to layers with textures, gradients, or procedural effects. On solid colors, the ripple might be harder to notice.
2. Water Ripple Simulation To simulate water ripples
- Use keyframe animation to gradually decrease the Phase value.
- Adjust Feather for a softer transition at the edges.
3. Dreamy Sequence Intro For a dreamy or surreal effect
- Use a low Frequency value for subtle ripples.
- Animate Phase to slowly contract the ripples.
- Combine with a blur effect and fade out the layer using Opacity keyframes.
Example Use Cases
Here are a few practical examples of the Circular Ripple effect in action:
1. Water Ripples
Create realistic water ripples by animating the Phase property to simulate the natural contraction and expansion of waves. Use this on a video of a pond or a still image with reflective surfaces.
2. Dream Sequence Intro
Set a low Frequency value, animate the Phase to expand ripples outward, and overlay the effect on a gradient background. Add a slight blur for a dreamy appearance and fade the scene to transition smoothly into the next shot.
3. Engaging Transitions
Use the Circular effect as a transition between scenes. Gradually increase the Radius to extend the ripples across the screen while fading the outgoing scene into the incoming one.