Tutorial 131: Generative Elements

Joe Clay | Jul 6, 2018

This week, we take a look at a way to build elements out of simple comps in order to build generative elements that can be used in other designs.

We also mentioned our script, StackIt, which is useful for building up grids of elements.

Expressions

For the circuit built with Particle Playground, you'd use this expression with the Random Seed Master Property from Fractal Noise:

seedRandom(index,true);
random(1000);

And for the circuit built with Form, you'd use this expression with the Random Seed Master Property:

f = time/thisComp.frameDuration;
seedRandom(index, true);
(Math.floor(f/3)*10) + random(100);

If you want them to be more different from each other, you can increase the value inside of random() on the last line. You can probably also use timeToFrames() and posterizeTime() but I think this is easier.

Grab the Project Files

The best way to get our project files is to become a patron on Patreon. For $5 a month, you get access to all of the tutorial project files we've made available as well as other monthly projects, rigs, R&D, elements, early product previews, and BTS content not available anywhere else! You can also purchase just this project file on our Gumroad Store if you would rather do that.

Get access to all of our project files on Patreon or Get this single project file on Gumroad

Workbench tools are used by designers at hundreds of amazing companies