Motion blur adds realism to animated elements by simulating the blur that occurs with real camera movement. Without it, even well-eased animations look synthetic.
Enabling Motion Blur
- In the timeline panel, find the Motion Blur column (overlapping circles icon)
- Toggle it ON for each layer that has animation
- Enable the Master Motion Blur switch at the top of the timeline (if this is off, no layers render blur)
Controlling Blur Amount
- Go to Composition > Composition Settings > Advanced
- Shutter Angle: Controls blur amount. 180° = standard film look. 360° = maximum blur. 90° = subtle blur.
- Shutter Phase: Controls when the blur sample starts relative to the frame. -90° centers the blur on the frame (standard).
- Samples Per Frame: Higher values = smoother blur but longer render times. 16 is fine for most work.
Performance Tip
Motion blur significantly increases render time. Disable it while working and only enable for final preview or render. Use the keyboard shortcut to quickly toggle the master switch.
When to Skip Motion Blur
UI animations (buttons, icons, text reveals) often look better without motion blur — the crispness matches what users expect from interface elements. Use motion blur primarily for organic motion: camera moves, character animation, particle systems, and physical simulations.