Anyone ever seen a tutorial that might help me figure out how to simulate a lava lamp effect?

Or have any suggestions?

Obviously the challenge is to create a amorphic blob that floats within a defined space....

Is FOAM my best option?

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,
Rolyn

I did a preset like this ages ago. I'll see if I can dig it up and I'll post it for you. I don't think it's on the site or at AE Freemart, but it might still be up at the Adobe Exchange. I'll dig for you.

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Michele Yamazaki, VP Marketing & Web Development Czarina
Toolfarm.com

Awesome, thanks.

I couldn't seem to track down the lavalamp, but I made a new a quick composition using cell pattern, levels and turbulent displace. I'll put it up at the AE Freemart tonight or tomorrow for you. I'm rendering a movie right now.

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Michele Yamazaki, VP Marketing & Web Development Czarina
Toolfarm.com

I've posted it at the AE Freemart. The render is pretty long but I think the results are nice and you can modify the speed, color, size and anything else.

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Michele Yamazaki, VP Marketing & Web Development Czarina
Toolfarm.com

Wow. Very Cool. You seem to have the up and down motion down pretty well too.

What do you think the best way to confine it to a designated space? Meaning, the shape of an actual lava lamp?

Or perhaps that's as easy as reshaping the solid....

Anyway, very cool, thanks for taking a crack at it.

-Rolyn

You could use a mesh warp or CC Cylinder effect, or a combination of the two. Or you could use a mask with a bevel and cheat it.

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Michele Yamazaki, VP Marketing & Web Development Czarina
Toolfarm.com