Creating a 'dissolve into smoke' effect in AviUtl.

My new song 'Smoldering Smoke' that I posted last night.
I incorporated a 'dissolve into smoke' effect in the video.

Since this work is a song about cigarettes, I wanted to bring out the atmosphere of smoke throughout the video.

The gloom of a room filled with choking cigarette smoke, and a swaying, eerie feeling.
I thought I would express this by turning text and images into smoke.

However, when I searched, it didn't seem like there were any existing effects in AviUtl that could create a dissolve into smoke effect. Even though it seems like there should be!
So, I created it by layering existing effects in the extended editing feature.

Since no one else had written about how to do it (at the time), I am leaving my notes here.

I have performed the same effect again in this separate video.
It looks like this.

■ How to create the effect

1. Set an intermediate point on the object

First, create the object (image or text) you want to dissolve into smoke, and set an intermediate point for the effect.
I set the intermediate point 2 seconds before the object disappears.
It can be a little longer or shorter. As you like.

I will not apply the effect before this intermediate point, but will set it so that the effect gradually appears in the part after the intermediate point.

2. Set a fade-out

Next, apply a 'fade-out'. This is the effect that makes it gradually disappear.

I want it to start disappearing from the midpoint, so I will set it to 2 seconds.

If you changed the position of the midpoint, please adjust the fade-out as well.
However, I don't think it needs to be perfectly aligned.

3. Setting the Blur

Next is "Blur".
Set it so that it gradually blurs from the midpoint until the object disappears.

In the image above, I applied it so it goes from 0 to 44 from the midpoint.
Please adjust the numbers as appropriate for the size of your object.

The effect up to this point is already usable.
It looks somewhat smoky, and the way the text blurs and softly fades away feels quite ethereal.
Depending on the situation, you could stop here.

4. Setting the Raster

Let's apply the Raster effect. This is the one that makes things wiggle and sway.
Set it to start wiggling and then disappear from the midpoint.

In the image above, I changed the width from 0 to 50 from the midpoint.

For the rest, without changing the values over time, I set
height to 200
and frequency to 0.5.

I think it's fine to change the numbers a bit.

It looks like smoke when it wiggles.

5. Setting the Noise

Set the Noise.
Transparent parts are added like a mottled pattern, and they move in a hazy way.

In the image above, I changed the intensity from 0 to 100 from the midpoint.

And without changing the values over time,
speed Y is 1.0
, change speed is 1.0
, and both frequency X and Y are 0.2.

I will leave the composition mode and noise type as they are.

In this case, noise is not very effective, so it is just a little extra touch; you might not even need it. Please add it if you like.

6. Set up Monotone (for image objects only)

For image objects, let's also apply Monotone. This is not necessary for text.

The color is the color of the smoke. I chose a purple that is as close to white as possible.
From the midpoint, 0 to 100.
Uncheck 'Keep brightness'.

It will transition from the normal image display to fading out while turning into the smoke color.

7. Gradually change the position using Y

As a final touch, enter a value for the Y-axis from the midpoint to set it so that the position rises slightly.

The smoke will now rise as it fades away.

It is finished.

Let's play it back to check.
I think the object should now fade away like smoke.

Due to AviUtl's specifications, you cannot copy just this effect to another object, so it seems you have to set it one by one for each object you want to apply the effect to.
(Right...? If anyone knows a way to copy it, please let me know.)
Honestly, it is a huge hassle. Please do your best. I did my best...!!

This method is an idea that you are free to use, so it would be very convenient if someone could create a smoke script.

■ Videos using this method

https://youtu.be/aWSGt2Fss0w

In the video, I use this effect a lot in the interlude after the second verse A.
It's where the person and the butterflies appear and disappear as smoke.

For text, I use it on:
"I'm becoming dependent." (end of second verse A)
"Defile me." (end of the final chorus)
and the outro text.

Also, the text in the verse A and chorus sections uses "fade out + blur."
This is the version that ends at step 3 of the creation process.

I think you were able to create that feeling of words puffing away.

Click here for the article introducing the song!

Please give it a try if you need smoke.

If you found this helpful, I would be happy if you could watch the song and video for "Kemuri ga Kuyuru"!