Anyone who works with After Effects is required to create a reflection or a drop shadow once in a while. In most cases, you can complete it using only built-in filters, which certainly is an excellent way. But those who tried it already know the result is far from perfect, particularly when it comes to moving elements on the screen or keyframe values that are not remaining on the same axis (horizon line).

For those who haven’t heard about it, I want to recommend a new package of 3 filters called Warp from the Red Giant Software. The RG Warp offers an elegant solution to all of those problems. Warp toolset gives you ultimate control over shadows, reflections and corner point warps. The Shadow tool renders realistic shadows for text or for subjects shot on green screen and the Reflection tool creates perfect mirror-like reflections. As for the advanced Corner Pin tool, it includes features for working with warped images, importing tracking data from Mocha AE, and adding secondary transforms and motion blur, to intensify realism in any scene.

For example, you can twist, fold and bend the reflection or shadow so it will look like it is part of the background that you choose. All that can be achieved with minimum effort using one filter which works quickly and supports more software (not just After Effects).

Want to see a demo? Why not? Well, on my page at Creative COW you can find a special tutorial for each of the three filters in the package. The first one is already online and as for the following two, they will be uploaded in the next few weeks.