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Augment Reality with These After Effects HUD Tutorials

Logan Baker
Published: Last Updated:

Here are a few simple tutorials on building digital HUDs for your next science fiction epic. Plus 35+ FREE HUD elements and clips to use.

Image via RocketStock.

Whether you’re re-creating an infamous Marvel hero’s helmet interface, reaching across the galaxy with a hologram, or tackling your own science fiction masterpiece, adding HUDs to your project will yield engaging results. There are many different routes to take if you’re trying to nail a specific look, but luckily for all of us, there are FREE resources to move us in the right direction. Let’s take a look at a few things you can check out to create your own HUD.

Spider-Man Mask Vision

Fresh off the release of Marvel’s latest foray into the world the friendliest neighborhood Spider-Man, RocketStock brings us their HUD vision effect. If you’ve seen Spider-Man: Homecoming, you’ve seen the latest re-imagining of Peter Parker’s sights as he fights crime on the streets of New York. Included with the tutorial are 12 FREE assets that are part of RocketStock’s greater 400+ INTERFACE HUD video pack.

The tutorial covers everything from tracking the individual tips of the fingers, to improvising with limited elements, and creating a frame and grid forefront display. The tutorial dives into working with INTERFACE and demonstrates how you can apply different elements in different ways.

DOWNLOAD 12 FREE INTERFACE HUD ASSETS AND FOOTAGE

Sci-Fi Interface

Cinecom’s recent endeavor with this science fiction clip employs the motion tracker in After Effects to follow your subject with your effects. For this tutorial, Cinecom also uses RocketStock’s INTERFACE pack and includes the project files used in the clip.

DOWNLOAD 23 FREE INTERFACE HUD ELEMENTS AND THE PROJECT FILE

Iron Man Helmet Effect

Augment Reality with These After Effects HUD Tutorials — Iron Man Helmet

Film Riot enlisted the help of HitFilm for one of their best-looking tutorials yet. Re-creating the Tony Stark heads-up display effect is no easy task. First, they explain the necessity of using a longer lens to create a narrower head for the shot. (You also want to be able to fit a diffuser above and reflector below the actor’s face.)

The real benefit of HitFilm‘s walkthrough is learning the setup for the shot. They demonstrate how to effectively light and stage your actor to simulate the in-helmet feeling we’ve come to love from the Iron Man movies. The HUD is already waiting for you to throw it in, but HitFilm offers up how to create your own here. They even teach you how to distort the effect to create the appearance of the inside of a helmet.

Star Wars Hologram

With Star Wars: The Last Jedi quickly approaching, creating a planetary or galaxy-wide map can effectively give you the holographic, lived-in vibe you’re going for. One of the most realistic aspects of the Star Wars universe is the effects that feel dated and old. In this tutorial, Caleb dives into blurring the effect so it appears more present as if its an in-camera effect.

DOWNLOAD FREE STAR WARS PROJECT FILES

Doctor Strange Shield in After Effects

You can also check out PremiumBeat’s Doctor Strange shield HUD tutorial from last year. Again, there is a download with the FREE Project Files and Assets below.

DOWNLOAD FREE DOCTOR STRANGE PROJECT FILES


Have you created a HUD before? Tell us about your process in the comments below.

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