Hologram transitions can make a person, object, product, or entire environment appear as though it is being digitally projected into the scene.

Instead of simply fading from one shot to another, the new image can begin as scattered digital information.

Particles appear.

Thin scan lines flicker into view.

Edges become visible.

A translucent blue projection starts forming.

Sections of the image briefly distort.

The hologram stabilizes.

Finally, the full-color scene becomes solid.

The basic transition can be summarized as:

Scene A → digital interference → hologram begins forming → scan lines reconstruct Scene B → projection stabilizes → Scene B becomes real

This makes holographic transitions particularly effective for:

• AI videos;
• technology presentations;
• cybersecurity;
• gaming;
• science fiction;
• product demonstrations;
• futuristic interfaces;
• virtual assistants;
• digital twins;
• maps and data visualization;
• title sequences;
• motion graphics.

Adobe After Effects provides most of the tools required to build these effects without relying on third-party plug-ins.

Useful native tools include:

• Find Edges;
• Glow;
• Fractal Noise;
• Displacement Map;
• Turbulent Displace;
• Venetian Blinds;
• Noise;
• Mosaic;
• Shift Channels;
• Tint;
• Levels;
• Shape Layers;
• Track Mattes;
• CC Particle World;
• expressions.

In this tutorial, we’ll build several hologram techniques and then combine them into a reusable holographic transition.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase Adobe After Effects through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

What Makes Something Look Like a Hologram?

Simply turning footage blue usually isn’t enough.

The hologram effect comes from combining several visual cues.

These commonly include:

Transparency — the projection is not completely solid.

Scan lines — horizontal lines suggest electronic projection.

Glow — bright areas emit light.

Flicker — the image briefly loses stability.

Digital noise — the signal contains interference.

Edge highlights — outlines help create a synthetic appearance.

Displacement — parts of the projection shift or distort.

Color separation — subtle RGB or cyan/magenta offsets suggest signal instability.

Particles — data appears to assemble into the projection.

Reconstruction — the image develops progressively rather than appearing instantly.

The most convincing results usually combine several of these techniques at relatively restrained settings.

If you’d like to follow along in After Effects, you can explore Adobe’s current After Effects options here:

Explore Adobe After Effects and current plans

PART 1 — Create the Basic Hologram

Start with the simplest version.

Create a composition:

HOLOGRAM_TRANSITION_MASTER

Suggested settings:

1920 × 1080.

30 fps.

10 seconds.

Import:

SCENE_A

and:

SCENE_B

For the first exercise, Scene B should ideally contain a clearly defined:

person.

product.

vehicle.

building.

or object.

Step 1: Duplicate Scene B

Create:

HOLOGRAM_BASE

This will become the projected version of Scene B.

Step 2: Apply Tint

Apply:

Tint

Map:

Black → dark blue.

White → cyan or pale blue.

You can also use other palettes later.

Step 3: Reduce Opacity

Try:

40–70%.

The background should remain partially visible through the hologram.

Step 4: Change Blend Mode

Experiment with:

Screen.

Add.

Lighten.

These modes can help the hologram feel projected rather than opaque.

Project 1 — Basic Transparent Hologram

At this stage:

Scene A remains visible.

Scene B appears as a translucent cyan projection.

It is simple, but it establishes the foundation.

PART 2 — Add Glow

Apply:

Glow

to HOLOGRAM_BASE.

Adjust:

Glow Threshold.

Glow Radius.

Glow Intensity.

Avoid turning the entire image into one large blue blur.

The strongest Glow should generally appear around:

bright edges.

highlights.

interface elements.

PART 3 — Create Scan Lines

Horizontal scan lines are one of the most recognizable hologram characteristics.

Create:

HOLOGRAM_SCANLINES

One approach is to use Shape Layers.

Create one thin horizontal line.

Duplicate it with:

Repeater.

Cover the composition.

Step 5: Reduce Opacity

Try:

10–30%.

Step 6: Animate Position

Move the lines vertically.

For example:

Y Position:

0 → 30 px

over several frames.

Loop if necessary.

The movement should be subtle.

Alternative: Venetian Blinds

You can also experiment with:

Venetian Blinds

to create repeating horizontal bands.

Project 2 — Scanning Hologram

Now Scene B contains:

cyan tint.

transparency.

Glow.

moving horizontal lines.

The image begins to read much more clearly as a hologram.

PART 4 — Reveal the Hologram with a Scan

Instead of making the entire hologram appear simultaneously, reconstruct it progressively.

Create:

HOLOGRAM_REVEAL_MATTE

Use a rectangular Shape Layer or Solid.

Animate:

bottom → top.

As the matte moves:

the hologram becomes visible.

Step 7: Create Bright Reconstruction Line

Create:

RECONSTRUCTION_LINE

Place it at the matte boundary.

Add:

Glow.

The bright line marks the point where digital information is becoming visible.

Project 3 — Hologram Materialization

Empty area.

bright horizontal line appears.

line moves upward.

holographic image forms behind it.

full hologram remains.

PART 5 — Add Edge Detection

Duplicate Scene B.

Rename:

HOLOGRAM_EDGES

Apply:

Find Edges

Then:

Invert if needed.

Apply:

Tint.

Use:

cyan or white.

Add:

Glow.

Set blend mode:

Screen or Add.

Step 8: Place Above Hologram Base

The edges create a wireframe-like digital outline.

Step 9: Adjust Opacity

Don’t make every edge equally bright.

Try:

20–50%.

Project 4 — Digital Wireframe Hologram

Scene B now contains:

transparent image.

moving scan lines.

bright digital edges.

Glow.

This produces a stronger synthetic projection.

PART 6 — Reveal Edges Before the Full Image

For a more sophisticated reconstruction:

show HOLOGRAM_EDGES first.

Then reveal HOLOGRAM_BASE several frames later.

Sequence:

scan line passes.

edges appear.

transparent image appears.

image stabilizes.

This creates the impression that the system first calculates geometry and then fills in visual information.

PART 7 — Pixel Reconstruction

Duplicate Scene B again.

Create:

HOLOGRAM_PIXEL

Apply:

Mosaic.

Use large blocks initially.

Reveal this layer before the edge layer.

Now the reconstruction sequence becomes:

Pixels → edges → hologram → full image

Project 5 — Multi-Stage Reconstruction

Start:

nothing.

Then:

large digital blocks.

Then:

wireframe edges.

Then:

transparent hologram.

Then:

stable image.

This staged approach is much more visually interesting than a simple fade.

PART 8 — Add Digital Noise

Create Adjustment Layer:

HOLOGRAM_NOISE

Apply:

Noise.

Keep the amount moderate.

Animate:

0%.

20%.

5%.

35%.

10%.

The variation should feel irregular.

PART 9 — Fractal Noise Interference

Create:

SIGNAL_NOISE

Apply:

Fractal Noise.

Increase:

Contrast.

Stretch the pattern horizontally.

Use:

Scale Width and Height

to create horizontal interference.

Step 10: Use as Displacement Source

Apply:

Displacement Map

to HOLOGRAM_BASE.

Use SIGNAL_NOISE.

Increase horizontal displacement.

Keep vertical displacement relatively small.

Project 6 — Unstable Projection

The hologram briefly shifts sideways in horizontal sections.

This resembles signal corruption.

PART 10 — Animate Displacement

Keep most frames relatively stable.

Then create short bursts:

The hologram should fail briefly rather than constantly distort.

PART 11 — Horizontal Frame Tearing

Duplicate HOLOGRAM_BASE.

Mask a thin horizontal section.

Move it sideways.

Create several strips.

For example:

top strip:

+20 px.

middle strip:

-35 px.

lower strip:

+12 px.

Show each for only a few frames.

Project 7 — Holographic Signal Tear

Projection visible.

one section shifts.

another section tears.

scan lines flicker.

image returns to alignment.

PART 12 — RGB Separation

Although cyan is the classic hologram color, subtle channel separation can make the signal feel more electronic.

Create red, green, and blue variations.

Offset them slightly.

Keep the separation small.

For example:

Red:

-3 px.

Blue:

+4 px.

Use only during interference bursts.

PART 13 — Cyan and Magenta Separation

For a more modern sci-fi style:

use:

cyan.

magenta.

Instead of full RGB.

This works especially well for:

AI interfaces.

gaming.

technology branding.

PART 14 — Flicker

Holograms should rarely remain perfectly stable.

Animate Opacity.

Example:

60%.

65%.

25%.

70%.

0%.

55%.

70%.

Use Hold keyframes for abrupt flickers.

Important

Don’t flicker constantly.

Create occasional signal failures.

PART 15 — Expression-Based Flicker

You can use expressions to create randomized Opacity variation.

However, manually designed flicker often gives you better control over important transition moments.

PART 16 — One-Frame Dropouts

Occasionally make the hologram disappear for:

1 frame.

Then return.

This can create a convincing projection failure.

PART 17 — Brightness Pulses

Instead of disappearing completely:

briefly increase Glow and Exposure.

The hologram flashes brighter.

Then returns.

Project 8 — Signal Instability

Hologram forms.

brightness pulses.

image tears.

one-frame dropout.

returns.

stabilizes.

PART 18 — Add Vertical Interference

Although horizontal interference is more common, occasional vertical strips can add complexity.

Create thin rectangular masks.

Shift those regions:

up.

down.

or sideways.

Use sparingly.

PART 19 — Add Data Blocks

Create small Shape Layer rectangles.

Place them around the hologram.

Animate:

Opacity.

Scale.

Position.

They can appear as pieces of data being reconstructed.

PART 20 — Pixel Fragments

Create small squares from:

Scene B.

or solid cyan blocks.

Move them toward the hologram.

As they arrive:

fade them into the image.

Project 9 — Data Assembly

Digital squares appear around the subject.

They move inward.

Edges form.

Hologram becomes visible.

PART 21 — Particle Reconstruction

Create:

HOLOGRAM_PARTICLES

Use:

CC Particle World

or another native particle system.

Emit particles near the subject.

Use:

small dots.

short lifespan.

cyan or white color.

Step 11: Animate Particle Density

At the beginning:

many particles.

As the hologram forms:

reduce them.

The particles appear to become the image.

PART 22 — Particle Dissolution

Reverse the technique.

Hologram becomes unstable.

particles break away.

projection disappears.

This is excellent for the end of a hologram sequence.

Project 10 — Materialize and Dematerialize

Particles gather.

scan begins.

hologram forms.

projection remains.

signal fails.

hologram dissolves into particles.

PART 23 — Ground Projection

A hologram often feels more believable if it has a visible source.

Create:

PROJECTOR_RING

Place below the subject.

Use:

ellipse Shape Layer.

Stroke only.

Add:

Glow.

Enable 3D.

Rotate:

X Rotation approximately 70–90°.

The ring becomes a projected base on the ground.

Step 12: Animate Ring

Scale:

0% → 100%.

Opacity:

0% → 100%.

Then pulse subtly.

PART 24 — Multiple Projection Rings

Create:

three or four rings.

Different sizes.

Animate them outward.

This creates a more sophisticated projector platform.

PART 25 — Vertical Projection Beam

Create a soft vertical light column extending upward from the projector ring.

Use:

gradient.

blur.

Glow.

Keep it transparent.

Project 11 — Floor-Projected Hologram

Ground ring activates.

vertical beam appears.

particles rise.

scan line moves upward.

holographic person or object materializes.

PART 26 — Light Interaction

The hologram should ideally affect its environment.

Create a subtle cyan light spill on:

floor.

walls.

nearby objects.

This makes the effect feel integrated.

Step 13: Create Light Spill

Duplicate a soft cyan Shape Layer.

Blur heavily.

Use:

Add or Screen.

Reduce Opacity.

PART 27 — Hologram Reflection

If the floor is reflective:

duplicate the hologram.

flip vertically.

reduce Opacity.

blur.

mask.

This creates a subtle reflection.

PART 28 — Hologram Shadow?

Traditional shadows often don’t suit projected holograms.

Instead use:

light spill.

reflection.

Glow.

These reinforce the idea that the object emits light rather than blocks it.

PART 29 — Person Hologram

For a person:

first isolate the subject.

Use:

Roto Brush.

masking.

or keyed footage.

Place holographic effects only on the person.

Project 12 — Holographic Person

Background remains real.

person begins as particles.

scan line rises.

body edges appear.

transparent body forms.

signal flickers.

person stabilizes.

PART 30 — Holographic Product

Use the same technique for:

phone.

laptop.

camera.

car.

machine.

consumer product.

Products work especially well because edge detection emphasizes their geometry.

PART 31 — Holographic Car

Create:

wireframe-like edges.

wheel highlights.

measurement lines.

data labels.

projection platform.

PART 32 — Holographic Building

Use:

architectural edges.

grid.

floor projection.

vertical reconstruction.

This works well for:

architecture.

smart cities.

construction.

real estate technology.

PART 33 — Holographic Globe

Create a digital Earth or globe.

Use:

transparent blue sphere.

latitude/longitude lines.

location nodes.

network connections.

Rotate slowly.

Project 13 — Global Network Hologram

Projection ring.

globe materializes.

continents appear.

nodes activate.

connection arcs grow.

data labels appear.

PART 34 — Holographic Map

Create a flat map projection.

Add:

roads.

location markers.

route lines.

data points.

PART 35 — Holographic Terrain

Combine this technique with the earlier 3D terrain tutorials.

Use:

contour lines.

wireframe terrain.

height information.

glowing routes.

PART 36 — Holographic UI

Create interface panels floating around the subject.

Examples:

statistics.

charts.

labels.

progress bars.

maps.

status indicators.

PART 37 — HUD Panels

Keep panels simple.

Use:

thin lines.

small text.

transparent backgrounds.

limited colors.

PART 38 — Panel Animation

Panels can:

slide in.

scale up.

draw themselves.

flicker.

rotate slightly.

PART 39 — Data Labels

Attach labels to important parts of a product or object.

For example:

BATTERY

CAMERA

PROCESSOR

STATUS

Use thin connecting lines.

Project 14 — Product Holographic Analysis

Product materializes.

wireframe appears.

feature labels activate.

data panels appear.

product becomes full color.

PART 40 — Hologram-to-Reality Transition

One of the strongest uses of the effect is turning a projection into the real scene.

Structure:

Scene A.

holographic Scene B.

hologram stabilizes.

color gradually returns.

transparency disappears.

scan lines fade.

Glow decreases.

Scene B becomes real.

Step 14: Restore Color

Animate Tint or blend between hologram and original Scene B.

Step 15: Increase Opacity

Move:

60% → 100%.

Step 16: Remove Scan Lines

Fade:

100% → 0%.

Step 17: Reduce Glow

Bring Glow down to natural levels.

Project 15 — Hologram Becomes Reality

Digital projection.

unstable hologram.

stable hologram.

full-color image.

real scene.

This creates a very clean futuristic transition.

PART 41 — Reality-to-Hologram Transition

Reverse the process.

Real person.

color drains.

edges appear.

scan lines intensify.

transparency increases.

image breaks into particles.

subject disappears.

PART 42 — Scene-to-Scene Hologram Transition

Use Scene B as a holographic intermediate state.

For example:

Scene A — modern city.

Scene B begins as holographic future city.

projection stabilizes.

future city becomes real.

PART 43 — Holographic Portal

Create a rectangular or circular holographic surface.

Scene B appears inside it.

Camera moves toward the portal.

Portal fills frame.

Scene B becomes full screen.

Project 16 — Holographic Portal Transition

Digital ring appears.

portal activates.

Scene B flickers inside.

Camera pushes forward.

crosses portal.

Scene B becomes reality.

PART 44 — Screen-to-Hologram Transition

Start with:

phone.

tablet.

monitor.

Data leaves the screen and forms a hologram in 3D space.

PART 45 — Phone Hologram

Track the phone.

Create projection beam.

animate UI panel upward.

build holographic subject.

PART 46 — Tabletop Hologram

Place projection ring on:

desk.

table.

console.

Use perspective tracking to integrate it.

PART 47 — Hologram Logo Reveal

A logo can reconstruct from:

particles.

scan lines.

edge traces.

digital blocks.

Then become solid.

PART 48 — Hologram Title Reveal

Use text.

Apply:

Glow.

scan lines.

distortion.

flicker.

Project 17 — Sci-Fi Title

Particles appear.

letters form as outlines.

scan line passes.

text fills.

brief interference.

title stabilizes.

PART 49 — AI Assistant Hologram

Create a fictional AI interface with:

avatar.

voice waveform.

status labels.

data panels.

network nodes.

PART 50 — Voice Waveform

Add animated waveform underneath or beside hologram.

This reinforces the idea of a digital assistant.

PART 51 — Audio-Reactive Glow

Where appropriate, link Glow or Scale subtly to audio amplitude.

Avoid extreme pulsing unless the design calls for it.

PART 52 — Holographic Data Stream

Create vertical streams of:

dots.

lines.

numbers.

small blocks.

Move them through the hologram.

PART 53 — Code Overlay

Use small text or code-like patterns.

Keep them secondary.

The subject should remain readable.

PART 54 — Binary Data

Use strings of:

or abstract symbols.

Animate vertically.

PART 55 — Digital Rain

Create falling columns of characters.

Use as background or reconstruction texture.

PART 56 — Grid Distortion

Create a grid behind or around hologram.

Use:

Displacement Map.

Make the grid react to the projection.

PART 57 — Energy Pulse

Animate circular waves outward from the projector.

Use:

Shape Layer circles.

Stroke.

Scale.

Opacity.

Project 18 — Projection Activation

Projector lights up.

energy ring expands.

particles rise.

hologram forms.

PART 58 — Light Burst

At the moment the hologram stabilizes:

create a brief bright pulse.

This gives the transition a clear completion moment.

PART 59 — Holographic Depth

Duplicate the hologram.

Offset layers slightly.

Use different opacity and blur.

This can create depth inside the projection.

PART 60 — 3D Layer Setup

Enable:

3D Layer

for holographic elements.

Add:

Camera.

Position interface graphics at different Z depths.

PART 61 — Camera Orbit

Move Camera slightly around the hologram.

This makes the projection feel spatial.

PART 62 — Parallax

Foreground data panels move faster than distant grid elements.

This creates convincing dimensionality.

PART 63 — Depth of Field

Use Camera Depth of Field sparingly.

Keep the hologram itself readable.

PART 64 — Hologram Color Palettes

Classic:

cyan + white.

AI:

cyan + purple.

Cybersecurity:

green + cyan.

Warning:

red + orange.

Medical/scientific:

blue + white.

Luxury technology:

white + pale blue.

PART 65 — Don’t Automatically Use Blue

Blue is familiar, but brand colors can make the effect more distinctive.

PART 66 — Monochrome Hologram

Use only:

white.

gray.

slight cyan.

This can feel more sophisticated.

PART 67 — Red Warning Hologram

Use for:

errors.

security warnings.

critical systems.

Keep the visual meaning consistent.

PART 68 — Glitch Timing

Holographic glitches should be irregular.

Example:

stable for 20 frames.

2-frame tear.

stable for 8 frames.

1-frame dropout.

stable for 15 frames.

small displacement.

This feels more convincing than continuous chaos.

PART 69 — Hold Keyframes

Use Hold keyframes for:

flicker.

frame tearing.

Opacity jumps.

color glitches.

PART 70 — Smooth Keyframes

Use smooth interpolation for:

scan movement.

particle assembly.

Camera movement.

projection ring Scale.

PART 71 — Sound Design

Hologram effects depend heavily on audio.

Useful sounds:

electronic hum.

scanner sweep.

digital crackle.

data clicks.

electrical pulse.

particle shimmer.

signal glitch.

completion beep.

Sound Sequence

Projection begins:

low hum.

Particles:

small digital ticks.

Scan:

rising electronic sweep.

Glitch:

static crackle.

Stabilization:

soft impact.

Completion:

confirmation tone.

PART 72 — Continuous Hum

Use a subtle sustained sound while hologram is active.

This makes the projection feel powered.

PART 73 — Glitch Sound

Match major visual glitches with:

short digital pops.

static bursts.

signal interruptions.

PART 74 — Particle Sound

Use:

small sparkling electronic textures.

Don’t assign a separate sound to every particle.

PART 75 — Dematerialization Sound

Reverse or pitch down the activation sound.

PART 76 — Build a Master Hologram Controller

Create:

HOLOGRAM_CTRL

Add Slider Controls:

Hologram Amount.

Scan Progress.

Glow Intensity.

Flicker Amount.

Noise Amount.

Displacement.

Pixel Size.

Particle Density.

Opacity.

Color Mix.

PART 77 — Hologram Amount

Use:

0% = normal footage.

100% = full holographic treatment.

This makes the setup reusable.

PART 78 — Reconstruction Progress

Use:

0% = invisible.

25% = pixels.

50% = edges.

75% = hologram.

100% = stable/full image.

PART 79 — Glitch Amount

Link to:

Displacement.

RGB offset.

noise.

tear visibility.

PART 80 — Color Control

Use Color Control to quickly change the entire hologram palette.

PART 81 — Build Reusable Presets

Create:

CLEAN HOLOGRAM

AI HOLOGRAM

CYBER HOLOGRAM

PRODUCT HOLOGRAM

PERSON HOLOGRAM

MAP HOLOGRAM

GLITCH HOLOGRAM

HOLOGRAM-TO-REALITY

Recommended Project Organization

Create folders:

SCENE_A

SCENE_B

HOLOGRAM_BASE

EDGES

SCANLINES

PARTICLES

GLITCH

HUD

PROJECTOR

AUDIO

CONTROLS

Suggested Layer Stack

HUD_FOREGROUND

HOLOGRAM_PARTICLES

HOLOGRAM_GLITCH

HOLOGRAM_EDGES

HOLOGRAM_SCANLINES

HOLOGRAM_BASE

PROJECTOR_BEAM

PROJECTOR_RING

SCENE_A

HOLOGRAM_CTRL

AUDIO

Common Mistake: Everything Is Bright Cyan

Use variation in:

brightness.

opacity.

color.

Common Mistake: Too Much Glow

Preserve detail.

Common Mistake: Scan Lines Are Too Thick

Thin lines usually look more electronic.

Common Mistake: Hologram Is Fully Opaque

Allow some background visibility.

Common Mistake: Constant Glitching

Create moments of instability rather than permanent distortion.

Common Mistake: No Reconstruction Sequence

Pixels → edges → image usually feels better than a simple fade.

Common Mistake: Particles Cover the Subject

Particles should support the materialization.

Common Mistake: Projection Has No Source

A floor ring or projector can make the effect more believable.

Common Mistake: No Environmental Light

Add subtle Glow spill.

Common Mistake: No Sound

Audio provides much of the perceived technology.

Basic Hologram Quick Recipe

1. Import Scene B.
2. Duplicate Scene B.
3. Tint cyan.
4. Reduce Opacity.
5. Add Glow.
6. Create scan lines.
7. Animate scan lines.
8. Duplicate Scene B.
9. Add Find Edges.
10. Create pixel version.
11. Build reveal matte.
12. Animate reconstruction.
13. Add digital noise.
14. Add displacement.
15. Add occasional frame tears.
16. Add flicker.
17. Add particles.
18. Add projector ring.
19. Add sound.
20. Refine.

Clean Hologram Recipe

Use:

Tint.

Opacity.

Glow.

scan lines.

minimal flicker.

Glitch Hologram Recipe

Use:

Displacement Map.

horizontal tears.

RGB separation.

Noise.

Opacity dropouts.

Product Hologram Recipe

Use:

Find Edges.

projection ring.

feature labels.

HUD panels.

AI Hologram Recipe

Use:

cyan/purple palette.

particles.

data panels.

waveforms.

network nodes.

Hologram-to-Reality Recipe

Use:

hologram.

scan-line fade.

color restoration.

Opacity increase.

Glow reduction.

Particle Hologram Recipe

Use:

CC Particle World.

scan matte.

edge reconstruction.

Glow.

Five Essential Hologram Exercises

Exercise 1 — Transparent Hologram

Learn Tint, Opacity, blend modes, and Glow.

Exercise 2 — Scan-Line Projection

Add moving horizontal scan lines.

Exercise 3 — Digital Interference

Add displacement, tearing, flicker, and noise.

Exercise 4 — Particle Materialization

Build the projection from data particles.

Exercise 5 — Hologram-to-Reality Transition

Combine the complete effect and transform the hologram into normal footage.

Master these five techniques and you’ll understand the foundation of most holographic transition effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a hologram effect in After Effects?

Start with a tinted semi-transparent copy of your footage, add Glow and scan lines, then introduce digital noise, displacement, flicker, and edge highlights.

Can I create holograms without plug-ins?

Yes.

The fundamental techniques can be created using native After Effects tools.

Which color should I use?

Cyan is traditional, but purple, green, white, orange, and brand colors can also work.

How do I create scan lines?

Use repeating Shape Layer lines, Venetian Blinds, or similar native techniques.

How do I create a wireframe look?

Find Edges combined with Tint and Glow provides a useful stylized approximation.

How do I make the hologram glitch?

Use horizontal displacement, masked frame tears, noise, Opacity flicker, and subtle channel separation.

Can I make a person into a hologram?

Yes.

Isolate the person first using Roto Brush, masking, keyed footage, or another suitable extraction technique.

Can I create holographic products?

Yes.

Products are especially effective because their geometry works well with edge highlighting.

Can I add particles?

Yes.

Particles can make the hologram appear to assemble from digital information.

Can I turn the hologram into normal footage?

Yes.

Gradually restore color and Opacity while reducing Glow, scan lines, noise, and distortion.

Can I create a holographic globe?

Yes.

Combine a globe with grid lines, nodes, network connections, transparency, and Glow.

Do I need third-party plug-ins?

No.

Practice Project: Holographic Person Materialization

Create:

HOLOGRAM_TRANSITION_MASTER

at:

1920 × 1080.

Import:

SCENE_A — Futuristic Room

and:

SCENE_B — Person

Isolate the person.

Create:

HOLOGRAM_PIXEL

Apply:

Mosaic.

Tint:

cyan.

Create:

HOLOGRAM_EDGES

Apply:

Find Edges.

Tint:

cyan/white.

Add:

Glow.

Create:

HOLOGRAM_BASE

Tint:

cyan.

Opacity:

approximately 55%.

Blend Mode:

Screen or Add where appropriate.

Create:

SCANLINES

Use repeating thin horizontal lines.

Animate vertically.

Create:

PROJECTOR_RING

Place beneath the person.

Enable:

3D.

Rotate into floor perspective.

Add:

Glow.

Create:

RECONSTRUCTION_LINE

Start at feet.

Move upward.

As the line travels:

first reveal pixel blocks.

then reveal edges.

then reveal transparent hologram.

Add:

small particles around the reconstruction boundary.

Add:

Fractal Noise displacement.

Use occasional:

horizontal tears.

Opacity flicker.

small cyan/magenta separation.

When the person is fully formed:

stabilize the hologram for approximately one second.

Then begin:

Hologram → Reality.

Restore:

normal color.

Opacity:

100%.

Reduce:

Glow.

Fade:

scan lines.

Remove:

noise.

Remove:

displacement.

The person becomes completely real.

Sound design:

low electronic hum.

projector activation pulse.

particle shimmer.

rising scan sweep.

small glitches.

soft stabilization impact.

completion tone.

The viewer should experience:

empty futuristic room.

projector activates.

particles rise.

pixel silhouette forms.

edges appear.

holographic person materializes.

projection flickers.

signal stabilizes.

color returns.

person becomes real.

That one project teaches:

Tint,

Glow,

scan lines,

Find Edges,

Mosaic,

Track Mattes,

particle reconstruction,

digital displacement,

flicker,

environmental integration,

and:

hologram-to-reality transitions.

If you’d like to create these effects yourself, you can explore Adobe’s current After Effects options below:

Get Adobe After Effects and start creating hologram transitions, digital projections, scan-line effects, futuristic interfaces, and holographic reconstruction animations

What Should You Learn Next?

After holographic transitions, the next logical futuristic effect is digital disintegration.

Instead of assembling the next scene, we’ll reverse the process and make people, objects, text, and entire images break apart into particles, pixels, fragments, and digital data.

We’ll cover:

particle disintegration.

pixel breakup.

dust effects.

digital fragments.

directional dissolves.

object disappearance.

scene reconstruction.

The next article will therefore be:

How to Create Digital Disintegration Effects in Adobe After Effects: Break People, Objects, and Text into Particles, Pixels, and Data Fragments.

Final Thoughts

A convincing hologram is more than blue footage with Glow.

It behaves like a digital projection.

It needs a source.

It needs structure.

It needs instability.

And most importantly, it needs a believable reconstruction process.

Start with:

transparency + Tint + Glow.

Then add:

scan lines.

edge detection.

pixel reconstruction.

digital interference.

particles.

projection lighting.

Finally, animate the transition between the holographic and real versions.

Once these elements are working together, you can build holographic people, products, maps, globes, buildings, logos, interfaces, AI assistants, and entire environments directly inside After Effects.

Explore Adobe After Effects and start creating professional hologram and digital reconstruction effects