After Effects to Stabilize Footage: Ultimate Guide to Smooth out Video

Tired of shaky footage ruining your videos? Unless you are a pro videographer, you need to optimize shots in After Effects by stabilizing footage. Getting one smooth shot is what most of us look up to. Ditch those expensive gears and stabilize in After Effects. Advanced video editors cater to all of the budding editing requirements. Be it a tutorial, testimonial, DIY, explainer, product, or educational video, you can now edit videos effortlessly. In this article, we'll explore two powerful tools that can turn your shaky clips into silky-smooth masterpieces. Get ready to take your videos to the next level!

Importance of video stabilization in post-production

Shaky videos due to intentional or unintentional pan movements, the ones recorded with handheld cameras, or smartphones, usually need post-production editing. A blur video clip won't do any good to you. Don't let those wobbles ruin your masterpiece! Video stabilization is an incredible technique that saves your shots, gives them a professional look, and makes them aesthetically appealing. Now, you don't have to reshot or delete the shaky clips, just bring it to the right software and get started with post-production editing. This post-processing not only stabilizes video in After Effects but puts the main subject or object in focus and the best limelight it deserves. Here are some of its potential benefits.

• Professional viewing experience
• When you stabilise video in After Effects, it helps remove shakiness and blurriness from the shots and makes them visually appealing. You can process your product videos, tutorials, or even social media content to add a professional touch for increasing audience interaction.
• Enhanced engagement
• Imagine you've captured an epic adventure on your travels, but when you play it back, all you see is a shaky mess. Not exactly captivating, right? But fear not! With video stabilization, you can transform that shaky footage into a smooth, mesmerizing journey that keeps viewers glued to the screen. It would then result in likes, shares, and more subscribers to your social media handle.
• Creativity and versatility
• After Effects stabilizes footage and gives it creative freedom to use the shots for various purposes. Digital content creators and videographers easily shoot rare angles without worrying about stability. Moreover, it allows creators to repurpose videos seamlessly.

2 easy tricks to stabilise footage in After Effects

Struggling with the shaky video shot you created for your social media post? Adobe After Effects has got you covered! It is a versatile video editing software that enables professional videographers, content editors, and digital content creators, to unlock incredible post-production editing workflows. After Effects stabilizes footage by fixing shaky and blurry clips and turning them into professional visuals. Abode offers you multiple ways to stabilise footage with After Effects. Read the next section to learn more.

1. Use the built-in Warp stabilizer in After Effects

When it comes to captivating your audience, shaky shots just won't cut it. But fear not! Adobe After Effects comes to the rescue with its Warp Stabilizer feature. This built-in tool automatically detects and smooths out those shaky moments, ensuring your viewers stay locked in from start to finish. And the best part? It's as easy as a few clicks! Ready to take your videos to the next level? Let's dive into the key features of After Effects' powerful stabilization tool.

Key features

• The effect automatically senses and removes the shakiness in video clips. It tracks moving and stationary objects and omits the jitters.
• You can smoothen erratic movements due to camera shake, handheld camera jitters, etc.
• It undergoes deep video analysis to track movement and indicate errors.
• The effect can be applied to multipurpose shots, e.g. handheld shots, drone footage, and footage with significant motion blur or rolling shutter distortion.

How to stabilize video in After Effects with built-in Warp Stabilizer

To stabilize camera with After Effects, you can now choose Adobe After Effects to stabilize footage feature to craft exceptional visuals in no time. Here is how to use the Warp Stabilizer to design a smooth and appealing video clip. And guess what! You can do it right from your desktop. Here you go!



Step
1. Launch Adobe on the desktop and import the shaky video clip to the software. Now, head to the Effects ad Presets panel and select the option of Distort tools. From the drop-down menu, click the Warp Stabilizer option.
Step
2. Select the composition layer of the video to which you want to apply the effect and double-click the Warp Stabilizer effect.
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3. Once the Warp Stabilizer is applied, it will automatically run. The effect will undergo analysis (indicated in a blue bar on the screen) followed by stabilizing the clip (indicated with an orange bar).
Step
4. As you stabilize video in After Effects, it further allows you to customize advanced settings of Warp Stabilizer for adjustments. Navigate to the Effects Control panel to adjust the settings and undergo video stabilization.

2. Stabilization plugins in After Effects

Looking to stabilize video in After Effects? Enter ReelSteady, the ultimate plugin for achieving silky-smooth footage that captivates your audience from start to finish. No more unwanted motions and jitters, as ReelSteady works its magic to deliver flawless transitions that flow like water. With powerful data tracking tools at your fingertips, achieving professional-grade stabilization has never been easier. Ready to elevate your video editing game? Let's explore the game-changing features of ReelSteady.

Key features

• The plugin is compatible and can be easily integrated into Adobe After Effects.
• It carries advanced features like rolling shutter removal and built-in lens distortion correction.
• You can customize the output resolution and smoothness values.

How to stabilize camera in After Effects with stabilization plugins

Once integrated into Adobe After Effects, here are the easy steps to use ReelSteady and stabilise footage in After Effects.

Step
1. Install the ReelSteady plugin on your desktop and integrate it into Adobe After Effects. Then, launch Adobe software and open the video in the media timeline.
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2. In the next step, create the composition layers and mark the layer that needs to be stabilized. Now, click the Effects option in the header toolbar, and in the drop-down menu, select the option of ReelSteady.
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3. The plugin will automatically stabilize the video clip according to the default plugin settings. You can also customize the settings by changing smoothness values, choosing camera presets, output resolution, and speed of stabilization.
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Adobe After Effects and other stabilization plugins (mostly demand hefty subscriptions) though facilitate video stabilization, yet it is mostly suitable for professionals and pro content editors. So if you are a newbie, who is filming a vlog or capturing a shot for your social media handles, Look no further than CapCut desktop video editor to stabilize camera After Effects. It comes with a one-click function to stabilize videos in mere seconds. Moreover, it allows you to customize basic and advanced video editing and stabilization requirements for newbies. And guess what? It is absolutely free! So, whether you are a professional videographer and editor or a budding content creator, make the most out of it. Keep scrolling!

Best camera stabilizer in After Effects: CapCut desktop video editor

CapCut desktop video editor isn't just another video editing tool; it's your creative powerhouse for crafting captivating videos that stand out. Whether you're a pro or just starting your editing journey, you get a suite of basic, advanced, and AI-powered features. Be it a product promo, lifestyle or travel vlog, tutorials, or even educational videos, there's no limit to what you can create. Its advanced video stabilization features cover all those human or capturing errors and remove unwanted shaky jitters. With CapCut desktop video editor, unleash your imagination and bring your stories to focus like never before! Curious to learn more? Here are its key features.

Key features

• One-click video stabilizer
• If your video clip from the travel vlog is a bit blurry or shaky, no worries! Bring it to the CapCut desktop video editor. Its one-click stabilization feature will deeply analyze the motion and static objects and subjects in-frame and remove unwanted movements.
• All-in-one editing tool
• It is more than just a video stabilization tool. CapCut desktop video editor is a multipurpose editing suite offering endless options to customize video and audio, such as applying key animations and changing video speed. You can also add stickers, effects, filters, audio, transitions, and fine-tune visual adjustments.
• Powerful AI features
• This all-in-one editing arena allows you to remove and customize backgrounds, camera tracking, and auto-reframing with the desktop app. It also offers advanced AI tools for AI movement, motion blur, and auto-caption.
• A ton of media resources
• You can transform your videos into dynamic masterpieces with CapCut's array of media resources! It offers brilliant stickers, filters, and captivating effects. You can add background music and soundtracks. Plus, it provides a treasure trove of resources like stock videos, customizable AI characters, and text templates to take your content to the next level.
• Quick sharing
• You can share your video with your YouTube viewers or TikTok followers without leaving the CapCut desktop video editor.

How to stabilise video with After Effects alternative: CapCut desktop editor

Install the CapCut desktop video editor app from the link below. Follow the easy three-step breakdown to start your editing journey.

Step
1. Import
2. Launch the software and click New project. Wait for the desktop app to launch the interface. In the main interface, click Import to add media. You can select media from device storage, CapCut Space library, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
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Step
4. Stabilize and edit
5. Once you add a video clip to the interface, drag the clip to the media timeline. Click the Video option followed by selecting Basic.
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7. In the basic options, navigate to the Stabilize option. Check the option for automatic video stabilization. You can also select the level of stabilization. The app offers three levels, i.e., Recommended, Minimum cut, and Most stable. Select the desired level and the video will be automatically stabilized.
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9. You can also select frames within the video to adjust the level of stabilization. Mark the frame, select the level, and click it to apply.
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11. Besides video stabilization, you can reduce image noise, relight, auto-reframe, and more. You can also remove human figures, use masks, and edit video elements. The desktop editor allows you to manipulate the sound of your video, by clicking Audio. Select Speed to apply different playback speeds to your clip.
12. To add cinematic appeal to your video, click Animation and select how it begins and ends. Furthermore, you can use a voice changer, enable skin tone protection, change the contrast, and so on.
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14. Furthermore, you can also add stickers, transitions, text, effects and filters, and apply color corrections. Other features that can be used are cutout, chroma key, and mask.
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Step
16. Export

Click Export in the upper right corner and change the title of your video. Customize the resolution up to 4K, the bit rate and codec, the format (MP4 or MOV), and the frame rate (from 24fps up to 60fps).

If you want to save an audio version of your project, click Export audio and then select a format. Select Export. Once your video has been exported, you can share it directly on TikTok and YouTube.



Conclusion

Shaky videos recorded with handheld cameras or smartphones typically require post-production editing. The Adobe After Effects can stabilize footage, remove unwanted shaky movements and improve visual quality.

Besides Adobe, turn your jittery handheld or smartphone footage into cinematic perfection with the CapCut desktop video editor! Just bring your clips into the desktop editor for seamless stabilization. Whether you're a novice or a pro, CapCut desktop video editor has you covered with its comprehensive editing capabilities. It allows you to experience the convenience of one-click stabilization, effortlessly removing unwanted motion while preserving the essence of your footage. But the CapCut desktop video editor is more than just a stabilizer. It's a complete editing suite packed with tools for customization, and AI features, from audio adjustments to visual effects. Plus, you can access a vast library of media resources including stickers, filters, and music tracks to enhance your videos further.

Elevate your editing game with the CapCut desktop video editor, and watch your audience engage with your professionally polished videos.

FAQs

1. Is it necessary to stabilize camera in After Effects?
2. Yes. Videos recorded from handheld cameras or shots taken from rare angles usually end up in jittery or shaky movements (either intentional or unintentional). This overall reduces visual quality and you need to stabilize video in After Effects. CapCut desktop video editor offers a complete package to stabilize videos effortlessly. With one click, you can fix shaky footage and create smooth, professional visuals. It also offers to settle pesky motion blurs and unwanted jitters. Besides stabilization, with a plethora of tools for customization and AI features at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless. You can add the perfect soundtrack, fine-tune your audio, and dazzle your audience with stunning visual effects. And with a vast library of media resources, including stickers, filters, and music tracks, you'll never run out of ways to make your videos truly stand out. So why wait? Try the CapCut desktop video editor and let your audience get the best visuals.
3. Does After Effects stabilize footage without reducing quality?
4. Digital stabilization, i.e., stabilising video After Effects may lead to a certain level of visual degradation. It may cause quality loss due to impaired image sensors being unable to detect the motion. As a result, videos lose quality and resolution. CapCut desktop video editor performs in-depth analysis followed by rigorous video stabilization. Motion sensors detect the smallest motion in steady frames and stabilize without affecting the overall video quality. Beyond just stabilization, this powerful tool offers a treasure trove of customization options and cutting-edge AI features. So why settle for ordinary? Dive into the CapCut desktop video editor today and let your inner artist shine!
5. How do I stabilize a video without the camera stabilizer of After Effects?
6. Other than stabilize camera After Effects, you can stabilize the video in post-production. For post-production editing, Get ready to elevate your video game with the CapCut desktop video editor! It goes beyond just stabilizing your footage; it meticulously analyzes and corrects even the tiniest motion, ensuring your videos are smooth as silk without compromising quality. But that's not all! CapCut offers tons of customization options and AI features to enhance your content game. Explore your creativity like never before.