Creating a seamless loop

The following procedure provides a basic overview of how to create a seamless loop of turbulence.

To create a seamless loop using Turbulent Displace:

1. Set two keyframes for the Evolution control, using full revolutions only.
2. Adjust the time allowed between keyframes, and the number of Evolution revolutions until you are satisfied with the appearance of the displacement.
3. Under Evolutions Options, select Cycle Evolution.
4. Under Evolutions Options, drag the Cycle slider to set a value for Cycle that either matches or is evenly divisible by the number of revolutions you set for Evolution.
5. Move the current-time indicator to the point on the Timeline window where the Cycle completes. For example, if the Cycle value is 2, find the frame on the Timeline window where the Evolution value is 2 revolutions.
6. Move the current-time indicator back one frame. (Because the cycle begins again at the last frame, moving the current-time indicator back prevents a duplicate frame in the seamless loop.)
7. Trim the layer's out point.
8. Prerender this layer, and import it into your project.
9. Set this prerendered footage item to loop. For information on looping footage, see the After Effects 6.0 User Guide.

Note: If you set keyframes for any of the other controls, you must return them to their initial settings at the point on the Timeline window where the cycle begins to repeat. Otherwise, these properties don't loop.