I'm pretty much a beginner with AE but know enough how to import stills and footage, do transitions and render out to quicktime. I am currently trying to make an effect that you get when you see aircraft engine heat haze. I have been told that I need to do the following from my Maya export into AE.
Render a cone on black background as an exhaust pass. (i can do this)
Create an adjustment layer in After Effects that blurs and distorts the background
Use the jet pass as a luma matte for the adjustment layer (might have to be inverted).
can someone explain how to do this please, I would be most grateful.
Many Thanks