Wisp (Particle Trails) – After Effects

„Wisp“ allows you to create 3D trails of particles in After Effects, without any third-party plugins. Learn more at https://creationeffects.com/wisp.html. With 50 wisp presets, the particles can be used to imitate trails of fire, liquid, smoke, ink, sparks, lightning, bubbles, sand, and a variety of abstract shapes. The wisps can follow a path (from any moving 3D layer) and you can customize them with easy-to-use controls.
Some examples of what you can do are make lightning follow a complex path, write out text with bleeding ink, and create a thickening 3D vine. This effect is a great tool for motion graphics artists, and an inexpensive alternative to pricey particle plugins. Compatible with CS6 and up. No plugins needed.