Step-by-Step Guide to Creating 360 Degree Videos with AI Animations

Table of Contents

• Shooting 360 Degree Videos with insta360 X3
• Editing 360 Footage
• Animating 360 Videos with AI
• Final Export and Sharing
• Conclusion and Takeaways

Shooting 360 Degree Videos with insta360 X3

The insta360 X3 is an amazing 360 degree camera that makes it easy to capture immersive footage. With its dual fisheye lenses, the X3 records everything around it in high resolution 5.7K. This allows for stabilized video even when holding the camera by hand.

One of the best accessories to use with the X3 is a selfie stick. Extending the reach of the camera provides more flexibility when filming. Simply walking around holding a selfie stick lets the X3 record in all directions with minimal effort.

Using a Selfie Stick for Simple Capture

A selfie stick is the perfect tool for getting great 360 video easily with the X3. With a stick that extends up to 3 meters, you can comfortably walk through any environment holding the camera overhead. This gives a cool perspective for capturing everything around you. The benefit of the selfie stick is that framing doesn't matter at all. No need to point the camera in any direction, just hold it up high and start recording. This frees you up to focus more on changing locations and interacting with people around you rather than trying to manually frame shots.

Getting Funny Looks but Worthwhile Shots

It's true you will likely get some funny looks and questions when filming with a 360 camera on a selfie stick. People are still getting used to seeing these devices in public. But the experience is worth it for the amazing videos you can capture. The looks and reactions just remind you that what you're doing isn't typical. There's something novel and exciting about shooting immerisve 360 footage. Don't let the attention stop you from filming and having fun with it!

Editing 360 Footage

After shooting 360 video, the next step is editing the footage. There are a few great options for editing 360 material from the insta360 X3. The options range from quick mobile editing to more advanced editing and VFX.

The insta360 app provides a simple editor for basic trimming, transitions, and exporting clips. For more control, insta360 Studio 2022 offers pro tools for precision editing. And programs like Adobe After Effects open up more complex post-production and visual effects.

Basic Editing in the insta360 App

The insta360 app lets you perform basic editing tasks right on your phone. After connecting the X3 via Bluetooth or WiFi, transfer footage for editing. The app has intuitive tools for trimming clips, adjusting perspective with keyframes, adding transitions and effects, and exporting. Despite being designed for phones and tablets, the app offers a suprisingly full suite of editing features. The convenience of mobile editing makes the app perfect for quick edits, sharing short clips online, and making basic 360 videos.

More Advanced Editing in insta360 Studio 2022

For more precision editing and control, insta360's Studio 2022 software is ideal. Available on Mac and Windows, Studio 2022 gives you pro tools for tweaking 360 footage and creating professional videos. Robust keyframe animation, advanced editing tools, and greater export options make Studio 2022 perfect for making complex 360 projects. The workflow will feel familiar to those who have used other professional editors like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

Exporting to Use in After Effects or Premiere Pro

To take 360 post-production even further, the footage from the X3 can be exported through Studio 2022 for use in Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro. These advanced programs offer endless options for visual effects, color grading, compositing, and more. This makes them ideal for creating truly polished, cinema-quality 360 content.

Animating 360 Videos with AI

A fascinating new technique for animating 360 video is using AI image generation. Services like DALL-E 2 can create realistic images and animations to insert into 360 footage. The results take these videos to the next level.

By exporting 360 video as image sequences, you can utilize DALL-E 2 to replace sections frame-by-frame. Then the animated AI imagery is composited back into the original 360 footage. The effects can be mindblowing!

Using GoPro FX Reframe Plugin in After Effects

The first step in animating 360 footage with AI is importing it into Adobe After Effects and using the GoPro FX Reframe plugin. This allows manipulating perspective and focal points in the 360 space. FX Reframe makes it easy to set keyframes, change orientation smoothly, and export custom sequences from the original 360 video. This sets up the base footage that AI imagery can then be inserted into.

Exporting as Image Sequence

Once the 360 footage is prepared in After Effects, export the clip as an image sequence. This splits the video into individual PNG image files, with one PNG per frame of footage. Exporting as an image sequence allows using AI to generate custom imagery on a frame-by-frame basis. The AI results can replace parts of each still image before recombining them into a video.

Using DALL-E to Generate AI Animations

With the 360 footage exported as images, DALL-E's image generation API can now be used. DALL-E allows creating realistic imagery by describing what you want to see. By generating a sequence of novel images tailored to each frame, DALL-E can introduce unique characters, objects, landscapes, and more. The AI artwork integrates seamlessly into the existing 360 environment.

Replacing Sections Frame-by-Frame

The magic comes from directly substituting DALL-E's AI generated images into the 360 footage on a frame-by-frame level. This makes objects and characters appear to move seamlessly through the VR environment. Using Photoshop or After Effects, the AI images can be masked and composited into each frame of footage. Done properly, the results are incredibly convincing and take 360 videos into new territory.

Final Export and Sharing

The last stage is exporting the 360 AI animation and sharing it with the world. The video can be posted online or enjoyed in VR headsets for an immersive experience.

It takes time and some specialized skills, but the creativity and wow-factor of AI-animated 360 video makes all the effort worthwhile. The cutting edge technique points to exciting potential for cinematic virtual reality content.

Exporting the Final 360 Degree AI Animation Video

With all image sequences combined in After Effects with the AI generated visuals, the last step is exporting the completed 360 animation. This renders out the final video file. Be sure to export using high quality settings to retain image fidelity and smooth motion. The 360 format may also need special encoding depending on where the video will be viewed. Top sites like YouTube support uploading and playing 360 content directly online.

Sharing on YouTube and Social Media

YouTube and Facebook both support 360 degree video, making them perfect for sharing your AI animation widely. VR headsets like the Oculus Quest also have apps to view 360 videos for an immersive experience. The novelty of AI animated 360 content is sure to capture interest from all over. Leaning into best practices for metadata, titles and descriptions will also help the video be discovered by people looking for leading edge VR content.

Conclusion and Takeaways

Creating 360 videos animated with AI is an intensive but highly rewarding process. The insta360 X3 camera makes capturing 360 footage simple. Software from insta360 and Adobe then enables advanced editing techniques.

AI services like DALL-E 2 open up amazing new possibilities for generating custom animations tailored to the 360 environment. Compositing the results in After Effects brings the whole project together into a cutting edge video.

Overall the process provides an exciting glimpse at the future potential of cinematic virtual reality content. As the technology and tools continue to evolve, there is no limit to the immersive videos that can be produced and shared with the world.

FAQ

Q: What gear do I need to shoot 360 videos?
A: You need an insta360 camera like the X3, a selfie stick, and a phone or computer to edit the footage.

Q: How do I edit 360 degree videos?
A: You can use the insta360 app, insta360 Studio 2022, After Effects, or Premiere Pro. The GoPro FX Reframe plugin helps with animating.

Q: What is DALL-E and how can it help animate videos?
A: DALL-E is an AI system that can generate images and animations from text prompts. It's useful for replacing sections of 360 footage with animated elements.

Q: Do I need coding or VFX skills to do this?
A: No coding is required. Some basic After Effects skills help, but the plugins and AI systems make complex animations possible even for beginners.

Q: What type of 360 content performs best?
A: Dynamic walking tours and local city exploration videos tend to attract lots of views and shares.

Q: How long does this process take?
A: Shooting is quick, but editing and animating each frame with AI can take hours or days depending on length and complexity.

Q: What are some mistakes to avoid with 360 videos?
A: Avoid static tripod shots. Walking tours engage viewers best. Also beware of messy stitch lines by properly framing shots.

Q: What creative AI animations work well?
A: Hats, glasses, facial hair, smoke, bubbles, weather effects and other animated masks or overlays grab attention.

Q: How important are titles and thumbnails?
A: Critical! Spend time crafting clickable titles and preview images optimized with SEO keywords.

Q: Any tips for getting more views?
A: Share preview clips on all your social channels. Add location tags. Promote to VR communities. Refresh old content by adding AI animations.