How to Recreate the Star Trek TNG jump to warp in After Effects

How to Recreate the Star Trek TNG jump to warp in After Effects

Graham Quince June 7, 2026

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In 1987, John Knoll at ILM had to use labor-intensive, 3D slitscan photography to make the Enterprise-D stretch into warp speed. In today's tutorial, we're skipping the long exposures and doing it all in After Effects!

I'll show you how to use 3D models, Null objects, and the Calculations effect to recreate that iconic stretch and flash look from Star Trek: The Next Generation. We'll also build a custom procedural warp flash using shape layers and wiggle paths, no scratched acrylic needed!

In this video:

Setting up the 3D Enterprise model.

The Null Pivot trick for perfect directional stretching.

Isolating warp nacelles using the Calculations effect to add a glow.

Building a procedural 1987-style warp flash.

Download the project

Bonus: Free step-by-step PDF

Links and Credits:

Enterprise D 2 8 Simple Bake Export by HaughtyGrayAlien is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution.

AfterGlow

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May 27, 2026Star Trek VFX: Recreating John Knoll's Iconic Warp Stars without a Slitscan CameraWhile ILM's John Knoll originally used physical slitscan photography to create the

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