by 
Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Place your character and duplicate it
This effect works best on a cut-out image, such as a PNG with a transparent background, placed on a dark background. Drop it on V1. Then hold Alt (Option on a Mac) and drag the clip up to V2 to make a copy directly above it. Make sure the copy lines up exactly with the original, so the two layers sit on top of each other.
The bottom layer will become the glowing aura. The layer on top stays clean so your character remains sharp.
Step 2: Add Turbulent Displace to the bottom layer
Select the bottom layer and search for Turbulent Displace in the Effects panel. It lives under Video Effects > Distort. Drag it onto the clip. In Effect Controls, set Displacement to Turbulent, Amount to around 212 and Size to around 21. This roughs up the edges of your character into wavy, flame-like shapes.
Faster with BetterFX: skip the Effects panel. Press your BetterFX shortcut, type the first letters of Turbulent Displace and press Enter to apply it to the selected clip. Get BetterFX
Step 3: Animate Offset and Evolution
A still, wobbly outline is not enough. The aura needs to move. At the start of the clip, click the stopwatch next to Offset (Turbulence) to set a keyframe. Move to the end of the clip and change the Offset values to something clearly different. Then do the same for Evolution: click its stopwatch at the start and, at the end, type 1x to make the turbulence run through one full evolution cycle over the clip. The edge now keeps boiling and changing.
Step 4: Tint the aura with a color
Search for Tint in the Effects panel (Video Effects > Color Correction > Tint) and add it to the same layer. Click the color swatch next to Map Black To and pick the color you want for your aura. Use the same color for Map White To. With Amount to Tint at 100%, the whole layer turns into one solid color, which is exactly what you want for a glowing outline. The video uses a bright orange, but blue, purple or red look great too.
Step 5: Stack more copies and add Gaussian Blur
Hold Alt (Option on a Mac) and drag the colored layer up to duplicate it again, so you have a few stacked copies. Each copy makes the glow stronger and more intense. Finally, search for Gaussian Blur, add it to the bottom aura layer and raise Blurriness until the edges melt into a soft glow. Play it back and tweak the Blurriness, Amount and color until it feels right.
Tips
- Start with a clean cut-out. Rough edges or leftover backgrounds in your PNG will show up inside the aura.
- Change the color to match the mood. Orange feels like power, blue feels cold and calm, purple feels dark.
- Make it pulse. Animate the Blurriness or the layer Opacity with a few keyframes for a glow that breathes.
FAQ
Where is Turbulent Displace in Premiere Pro?
Search for it in the Effects panel. It sits under Video Effects > Distort.
What image should I use for an aura glow effect?
Use a cut-out image with a transparent background, like a PNG, so the effect follows the outline of your subject.
How do I change the color of the aura?
Open the Tint effect and set both Map Black To and Map White To to the color you want.
Want a ready-made glow without building it? Try our free glow presets for Premiere Pro.
