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How to create a blur effect in After Effects

Blur helps with depth, focus, and transitions — they’re essential tools for clean, polished design and smooth motion.

Steps to create a blur effect

Select your layer and go to Effect → Blur & Sharpen and choose the effect. Gaussian works for most situations.

Applying Gaussian Blur in After Effects

Increase Blurriness until it feels right for your shot.

Effect Controls panel in After Effects showing Gaussian Blur settings

For directional motion, try Directional instead and set the Direction angle to match your movement direction.

Composition viewer in After Effects with a blurred layer

One more thing

Animate Blurriness to create smooth in and out transitions — pair it with Opacity animations for extra polish and a professional finish.

Related how-tos

How to make glowing text in After Effects
How to add a shadow in After Effects
How to animate a mask path in After Effects

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