In After Effects CS4 Beyond the Basics, Chad Perkins explores advanced techniques for working with motion graphic elements, animation, color correction, and more. Chad provides tips for working more efficiently, and then moves on to advanced effects, detailed masking techniques, and real-world expressions. Integrating Photoshop into the After Effects workflow is also highlighted. Exercise files accompany the course.
Software works on: Mac and Windows.
Lynda.com After Effects CS4 Essential Training
Author: Chad Perkins | Duration: 08:39 | Level: Beginner
Genre: Video Training
In After Effects CS4 Essential Training, Chad Perkins teaches fundamental motion graphics design techniques from the ground up. He shows how to gather video, audio, and graphical source materials into layered compositions, make edits and adjustments, then bring it all to life with a powerful array of visual effects and animation techniques. These skills are demonstrated in a series of increasingly intricate projects, from creating a galaxy to building a fantasy battle scene. Chad also demonstrates workflows for keying and compositing, shows how to integrate with other applications, shares useful tips and secrets, and much more. Exercise files accompany the course.
Topics include:
* Importing assets with Bridge
* Blending layers in a composition
* Animating static images with the Puppet tool
* Color-correcting video footage
* Animating in 3D
* Stabilizing shaky footage
* Nesting and precomposing
* Creating visual effects from scratch
* Exporting to video and other media
Lynda.com After Effects CS3 Professional Essential Training
Author: Chad Perkins | Duration: 09:14 | Level: Beginner
Genre: Video Training |
From creating simple animation to integrating Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash files, After Effects CS3 Professional Essential Training explores the possibilities available using the motion graphics and animation features in After Effects. Adobe Certified Instructor Chad Perkins teaches the fundamentals of managing the timeline, working with 3D layers, creating projects for iPods and mobile devices, and more.
Using numerous hands-on visual effects and motion graphics exercises, he teaches the skills necessary for mastering After Effects tools and workflow processes. Chad even devotes an entire chapter to using After Effects and Photoshop together effectively. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.
01. After Effects + 3D Invigorator: 3D Video Wall
In this written tutorial learn how to create a 3D video wall in After Effects using Zaxwerks 3D
Invigorator.
02. After Effects: Interface Navigation
This tutorial was created to introduce the unified interface new in Adobe After Effects 7.0, but it’s
still useful if you are using After Effects CS3 or CS4.
03. After Effects + 3D Flag: Tattered Flag
In this written tutorial learn how to use After Effects and Zaxwerks 3D Flag take a clean sharp
Illustrator file and turn it into a weathered and tattered US flag. Of course you can replace the US
flag with the flag of your choice.
04. After Effects + Photoshop: Handwritten Text
The look where text seemingly writes itself onto the screen is popular and there are many different
ways of approaching it. In this written tutorial learn how to create precise handwritten text in
After Effects by preparing the text in Photoshop first.
05. Getting Started with Instant HD
This tutorial covers the basics of using Red Giant Software’s Instant HD plug-in. Instant HD
up-converts DV video into a variety of HD video formats. You can choose from a list of preset
resolutions to make it easy to integrate DV video into your next High Definition production.
06. Getting Started with Magic Bullet Looks
This tutorial covers the basics of using Red Giant Software’s Magic Bullet Looks plug-in for Adobe
After Effects. This is an easy to use yet powerful piece of software that is well worth the money if
you do any kind of color grading.
07. Final Cut Pro: Using Trapcode Shine and 3D Stroke
In this tutorial I demonstrates how to use Final Cut Pro to create this motion graphics animation,
using Trapcode products combined with various Final Cut Pro settings. Yes, it was a little strange
creating this in Final Cut Pro but overall I’d say it was a good experience. Even if you don’t use
FCP you might find it useful.
08. After Effects and ProAnimator: Reflection Maps
In this tutorial we look at how to add flare to your graphics by creating the effect of “light”
moving across your Zaxwerks ProAnimator or 3D Invigorator objects inside After Effects. In fact it’s
not light at all but an animated reflection map.
09. After Effects and ProAnimator: Importer
You may have been wondering what the ProAnimator Importer plug-in that ships with ProAnimator
actually does. It’s actually a great creative tool, allowing you to harness the fast and powerful
ProAnimator animation features and apply them to your After Effects 3D layers. The eyeball image is
by Martin Walls (http://www.sxc.hu).
10. Getting Started with Knoll Light Factory
This tutorial covers everything you need to know to get started with Knoll Light Factory, one of the
must-have Adobe After Effects plug-ins in any motionographer’s toolbox.
11. After Effects: Creative Background Design
In this free introductory video tutorial from the Creative Background Design in After Effects series,
your host John Dickinson demonstrates how to make a simple, seamlessly looping Fractal Noise
background and variations. John uses innovative techniques and explains several shortcuts that will
help your workflow.
12. Getting Started with Magic Bullet Frames
In this tutorial you’ll learn the basic workflow for using Magic Bullet Frames. Formerly part of the
Magic Bullet Suite, this plug-in for Adobe After Effects that allows you to create high quality
progressive frames from interlaced footage. Other effects include Opticals for beautiful film-like
cross dissolves and fades to black or white and De-artifactor.
13. Photoshop: Grungy Text
In this tutorial you’ll learn a simple technique using grungy brushes in Adobe Photoshop to make some
grungy text. If you like this you may like the on-demand e-seminar where I discuss this and other
techniques used to create the graphics for a Saw 4 promo.
14. Getting Started with Radium Glow
In this tutorial you’ll learn the basic work flow for Red Giant Software’s Radium Glow plug-in. This
was the first time I’d used the effect and have been pretty impressed with the results; you have a
lot of control over exactly how and where the glow appears on your footage.
15. Getting Started with Text Anarchy – Part 1
Text Anarchy is a particle generator specifically for text that allows you to create some pretty
detailed text-based looks very quickly. In this tutorial you’ll learn the basics of using two of the
key effects: Text Matrix and Text Grid.
Aetuts+ is a site made to house and showcase some of the best After Effects tutorials around. We publish tutorials that not only produce great effects, but explain them in a friendly, approachable manner. We also stock up links to tutorials, articles, presets and plugins from around the web to help you get the most out of After Effects.
23. Create a MoGraph Urban Jungle - Day 1
In this tutorial Naim Alwan ventures outside of After Effects for a little bit of 3D Matchmoving to create this stunning Urban Jungle effect where vector graphics are perfectly tracked to some city footage. In day 1 you will learn how to do a track using Boujou (although any matchmoving software will work for this) and then import and apply that information in After Effects successfully.
In this two part tutorial you will learn the workflow for seamlessly integrating live action footage with motion graphics elements.
The first day we are going to be spending a little time familiarizing ourselves with the camera tracking process using Boujou, and the settings we need to get right in order to export an AE camera track.
We will then use the information contained on the nulls to setup the scene. Once the track is imported in AE and scene setup we will shift our focus to Illustrator where we will cover the layer setup we need in order to import an Illustrator file into AE.
Author: Naim Alwan
Naim is a young pixel pusher, pushing pixels in whatever application he can get his hands on. He spends most of his time dreaming of being a famous filmmaker, and whatever time he has left actually trying to become one. His girlfriend calls him a geek, his friends call him a geek, his family call him a geek... and he actually calls himself one... with pride.
24. Create a MoGraph Urban Jungle - Day 2
In day 2, Naim show us how to setup the vector graphics in Illustrator then track the man on the phone in Mocha AE. Finally, to wrap things up we jump back into After Effects to finalize the composite.Naim explains: Today we will continue animating the floral elements, and position the elements into the 3D scene. We will use the camera data to achieve easy track mattes, only needing a small amount of keyframes. We will spend some time focusing on a roto workflow, learning the do's and don'ts of all things roto, the roto application of choice will be Mocha (it's free with CS4). Finally the mattes will be applied to specific layer concluding in a beautiful live action/motion graphics scene.
Author: Naim Alwan
Naim is a young pixel pusher, pushing pixels in whatever application he can get his hands on. He spends most of his time dreaming of being a famous filmmaker, and whatever time he has left actually trying to become one. His girlfriend calls him a geek, his friends call him a geek, his family call him a geek... and he actually calls himself one... with pride.
25. Create a Realistic Camera Move with Parallax
Wikipedia describes parallax as: "an apparent displacement or difference of orientation of an object viewed along two different lines of sight, and is measured by the angle or semi-angle of inclination between those two lines." What this means to After Effects users is that real camera moves have parallax and in this tutorial we learn how to recreate this effect in After Effects using a single still photograph.
Introduction
The effect that we will be creating in After Effects is called a parallax. The basic idea behind a parallax is that 3 dimensional elements appear to move differently depending on their position relative to the observer. (Image driving in a car, objects closer to you move faster than those that are far away). We will take a sample image (seen below), and turn it into a pseudo-3D scene using After Effects. As you see in the sample video, this gives us the impression that elements in the foreground are moving seperately from those in the background. This effect is often used in documentary films when they do not have film of an event, but only still-frames. Using the effect makes the image more interesting, and makes it seems like someone was there with a video camera and was panning back and forth.
Requirements:
* Photoshop
* After Effects (6.5, 7, CS3, or CS4)
* Source Image (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1002304)
Author: Andrew Steenbuck
Andrew is a young web developer living in the Washington, DC area. He currently works for an insurance company developing rich internet applications for both public and in-house use. In his free time, he enjoys using Flash and After Effects to create unique multimedia projects for himself and friends.
26. How to Track Live Video to a Postcard
In this tutorial we continue exploring how to create some high-end techniques easily by using scripts to facilitate our workflow. Mathias Mohl teaches us how to track moving video to a postcard that was shot handheld with help from some scripts that he authored and are feely available. He also shows how to recover highlights from the tracked footage and apply them back over the moving video for a very convincing effect.
Tracker2Mask Script and Tutorial
In this Tutorial I describe how you use my After Effects script Tracker2Mask.jsx to assist rotoscoping.
Tracker2Mask computes the movement of maskshapes based on the movement of trackpoints. It is easy and flexible to use. In particular you don't need one trackpoint for each maskpoint. In the tutorial I show how to rotoscope the shape of a moving car based on only four trackpoints, for simpler shapes often one trackpoint is sufficient.
Tracker2Mask Tutorial 2 - new features
In this tutorial I describe some new features of my After Effects script Tracker2Mask that allow local modifications of masks. As an example, I show how to animate speech bubbles.
KeyTweak Script and Tutorial
In this tutorial I explain how to use my After Effects script KeyTweak to quickly modify any keyframed property. Just modify a few keyframes by hand and KeyTweak will modify the keyframes in-between accordingly.
In particular I show how to use KeyTweak to
- modify drifting tracks
- correct rotoscoping errors
- make non-uniform mask expansions
Author: Mathias Mohl
I have a computer science background and am currently working on my PhD. Compositing and all the other film related stuff is just a hobby for me.
27. Cinematic Opening Title Redux - Day 1
In this 2 part tutorial we revisit the Cinematic Opening concept with an homage to all of you, our readers, by enshrining all of the comments left on the site in a "ready for Hollywood" delivery. It features a clever use of freely available scripts and expressions to create what would normally be a very complicated and time-consuming animation. The tutorial will be split into 2 days with a total of over 80 minutes of training.
In day 1 we cover cunning techniques to harness a large amount of text and quickly formats and animates it in a cinematic style. This tutorial has tricks and techniques that should appeal to all users from beginners all the way to the most seasoned and advanced users of After Effects.And best of all, it is all created by only using built it After Effects tools!
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
28. Cinematic Opening Title Redux - Day 2
In day 2 Lloyd finishes the tutorial and shows how to use scripts to split up and animate a logo into hundreds of pieces. He also adds the finishing touches including an alternate ending not shown in the preview. Even though scripts might be perceived as advanced tools, this tutorial aims to shatter this myth and guarantees you will feel comfortable using scripts to help automate and improve the speed your work.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
29. Quick Effect: Create a Mac OS X Leopard-style Aura Effect
In this tutorial you learn how to create an aura effect which can used as a background for a dramatic title, similar in style to the default desktop background shipped with Mac OS X Leopard. This is a simple effect with an attractive end result that will be of use to all users of After Effects.
Author: Mohsin Amjed
Mohsin is a young graphic and motion graphic designer. He has experience with almost every Adobe software made and has more then three years of experience. He currently resides in Virginia, USA, and seeks to establish a strong presence on the web. You can view Mohsin’s latest work on deviant art, flickr, and youtube, just search his name!
30. Create a Futuristic Floating Hologram Effect
This tutorial will show you how to make a futuristic floating hologram over a cellphone. The techniques included here will help you understand how to track one object to another. The final result is something that may make your indie science-fiction film look better or it may just inspire you to create something new.
Author: Michal Jagiello
I'm interested in all aspects of moviemaking: shooting, mixing and camera operating, starting from when the Matrix was released. For 3 years I've been recording some funny, amateur stuff. Now the time has come for more serious work: time for compositing and adding video effects!
31. Create an Animated Homage to Bruce Lee - Day 1
In this tutorial Markus walks us through the creation of a video accompaniment to Bruce Lee's 'Be Water' philosophy. It features vibrant motion typographic sub-titles, animated illustrations and clever camera techniques. The training will be split over 3 days for a total of 71 minutes of tutorial video.
In day 1 of the training Markus designs and animates the typography for the video. This tutorial is an excellent compliment to Markus's 'Create Rhythmic Motion Typography' tutorial and demonstrates some more advanced typographic techniques.
Author: Markus Gustafsson
Visit my portfolio at NinjaEffects.com.
32. Create an Animated Homage to Bruce Lee - Day 2
In day 2 of the training Markus demonstrates how to animate realistic water physics moving between a cup and a bottle. You'll learn how to create pouring water animations and realistic impact ripples.These clever animations will be combined with the typographic ground-work we laid out in day 1 of the training. The complete video will begin to take shape.
Author: Markus Gustafsson
Visit my portfolio at NinjaEffects.com.
33. Create an Animated Homage to Bruce Lee - Day 3
In day 3 of the training Markus demonstrates how to construct an interconnected After Effects scene from many different animations. You'll then learn how to track a moving camera to the scene.
This is the final video in the "Be Water" tutorial series, and should leave you with all the techniques needed to create a similar style of typographic and animated video.
Author: Markus Gustafsson
Visit my portfolio at NinjaEffects.com.
34. Create a Historic Naval Battle Scene
This tutorial will teach you how to create a VFX naval battle scene similar to those seen in period war movies. You'll learn how to take ordinary footage shot with a DV camera and transform it into a realistic looking old film war battle scene
Author: James Whiffin
My name is James Whiffin and I like to mess around with after effects in my spare time
35. Design a Breathtaking Body Shatter Effect
In this tutorial we learn how to create a body shattering effect similar to the one at the end of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" video. For this tutorial we'll be applying the effect to a still image, but it can also be used to great effect on green screen footage.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
36. Design Rhythmic Motion Typography in After Effects
In this tutorial you'll learn how to create animated typography synchronized with musical events (lyrics). You'll learn how to fit your typography to a rhythm, add dynamic animations and use the camera and motion blur to create a high-end final effect. This tutorial showcases a technique that is highly sought after in motion graphics today.
Author: Markus Gustafsson
Visit my portfolio at NinjaEffects.com.
37. After Effects for Beginners: Getting Started
When we launched we asked you to tell us what content you wanted and quite a few of you told us you wanted the basics. Well we are listening and this is the first installment of a 3 part series for after effects beginners. Each section lists at the top the topics that are covered in that section. Even though this series focuses on the latest CS4 release, most of the concepts apply to all the versions of After Effects.This first part of the Essential Training series will teach you how to get started in After Effects. You will learn all the basics you need to be able to use After Effects and understand the cool tutorials posted here on AETUTS.
Author: Kajik
Hi, my name is Kajik and I love to work with all the Adobe products like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, After Effects and more. To design and create graphics, motion graphics and websites is what I love to do. I also like new challenges where I can learn and improve my skills.
38. After Effects for Beginners: Effects & Animation
When we launched we asked you to tell us what content you wanted and quite a few of you told us you wanted the basics. This is the second installment of our 3 part series for after effects beginners. Each section lists at the top the topics that are covered in that section. Even though this series focuses on the latest CS4 release, most of the concepts apply to all the versions of After Effects.This second part of the Essential Training series will teach you how to get started using effects and creating basic animation in After Effects. You will learn all the basics you need to be able to use After Effects and understand the cool tutorials posted here.
Author: Kajik
Hi, my name is Kajik and I love to work with all the Adobe products like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, After Effects and more. To design and create graphics, motion graphics and websites is what I love to do. I also like new challenges where I can learn and improve my skills.
39. After Effects for Beginners: Advanced Techniques
When we launched we asked you to tell us what content you wanted and quite a few of you told us you wanted the basics. This is the second installment of our 3 part series for after effects beginners. Each section lists at the top the topics that are covered in that section. Even though this series focuses on the latest CS4 release, most of the concepts apply to all the versions of After Effects.This third part of the Essential Training series will teach you some advanced techniques in After Effects. You will learn all the basics you need to be able to use After Effects and understand the cool tutorials out here.
Author: Kajik
Hi, my name is Kajik and I love to work with all the Adobe products like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, After Effects and more. To design and create graphics, motion graphics and websites is what I love to do. I also like new challenges where I can learn and improve my skills.
40. Create an Elegant Signature Written With a Whisp of Smoke
In this tutorial you'll learn how to create a written title that appears to be written in smoke with the use of Trapcode Particular. The final effect can be used for many purposes, particularly to create a very unique personal signature for your work.
Author: Andrew Hawryluk
I am a freelance After Effects artist from New Jersey
41. How to Create Explosive Flower Fireworks
In this tutorial you will learn how to create a unique twist on the traditional fireworks display. The tutorial shows you how to create fireworks with Trapcode Particular, and how to reflect this effect over water.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
42. Quick Effect: Magnifying Track Matte
This tutorial will teach you how to generate a magnifying effect with the use of an animated track matte. The final effect can be used for many purposes, particularly to create a sophisticated background for other elements, such as logos and text.
This tutorial is ideal for beginners or experienced After Effects users who want to quickly learn an attractive and simple technique.
Author: Mark Brodhuber
Mark Brodhuber is Site Manager at VideoHive.net, an Envato creative marketplace.
43. How to Create Glowing Elegant Lines
In this tutorial you'll be creating elegant glowing lines using shape layers within After Effects. We'll create a few basic arc layers and then stylize them by using the find edges effect, glows, and blending modes. I enjoy this technique and you can easily adapt this concept to many different shapes to create some stunning looks.
Author: Haley Saner
I’m a motion designer always looking for new and exciting jobs. I also try and contribute to the Go Mediazine and Arsenal as much I can and recently put out a new animated series. I’ve also written some articles for the nice folks at Computer Arts Magazine.
44. How to Create a Cinematic Opening Title
In this tutorial you learn how to create a cinematic opening title using Trapcode Form similar to those used in movie trailers and openings.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
Tuts+ Network - Home
After Effects Tutorials - Aetuts+ - Home
Tutorials - Aetuts+
With Steve Holmes, Aharon Rabinowitz, Brian Maffit, Eran Stern and Angie Taylor guide you through 22 tutorials on incorporating artbeats footage in your video projects using After Effects.
In the Eye of the Storm: Creating 3D Rain
Learn secrets of movie special effects as Steve takes you through turning a beautiful Artbeats HD aerial clip into a cold nighttime storm with torrential rain and lightning. Learn how to color adjust clips with a handful of effects for maximum control, then use cool techniques to turn two-dimensional rain clips into truly 3D rain.
There's No Fire Without Smoke: Creating Smoke Effects
Enhance a 3D scene, previously animated in episode 9 with fire and lighting effects. Learn how to use some very cool tricks and expressions to create a realistic, volumetric 3D smoke effect using a single HD clip of swirling smoke from Artbeats.
There's No Smoke Without Fire: Masking & Lighting Techniques
See how to enhance a basic 3D scene in After Effects with a single HD fire clip from Artbeats, some neat masking techniques, and some very unique lighting effects with expressions, setting a hallway alight with flames, flickering lights and shadows.
Type In Distress: Using Transparency & Distortion
Use several high-definition clips from the Artbeats library to both affect transparency and frantically distort typography, for an HD show promo. Set over the top of a truly stunning clip shot on the RED One camera, the finished piece is both haunting and beautiful.
Slasher Movie Week: Using Layer Effects
Create a truly unique and stunning promo for a slasher movie week using high-definition clips from Artbeats Ultra Motion and Mayhem collections. With time-remapping, layer blending and keying techniques, along with some truly remarkable Layer Effects usage, the finished result really does grab your attention!
Ten Pin Explosion: Using Slow Motion
Use high-definition clips from Artbeats Ultra Motion and ReelFire collections to make this incredible title sequence. Mixing 3D, keying and brilliant time-remapping techniques, learn how these clips can change the entire look and energy of a motion graphics piece!
Smokin' Titles: Using Smoke Effects
Learn how to enhance a movie title with a single cool and unique HD smoke clip from Artbeats' Reel Fire 3 HD collection. See how to key out the smoke for further compositing, and learn how to use the smoke itself to blur focus on the type over which it passes.
Shadowvision: Create a 3D Scene
Discover how to add incredibly realistic and moving shadows to a 3D scene in After Effects, using an Artbeats Ultra Water clip as an organic shadow caster. What starts out as a simple scene evolves into a truly realistic and moody environment in which to animate.
A Time to Reflect: Working with Displacement Maps
Create a stylized and subtle rippling reflection effect of clean typography, for a television title sequence. Learn the ins and outs of Displacement Map effects, made to the highest quality and with ultimate flexibility, thanks to high-definition Ultra Motion clips from Artbeats.
A Perfect Time to Bloom: Animate with Controlled Timing
See how to key out clip backgrounds and enhance transparency, and learn very interesting ways to use Time Remapping and Layer Sequencing to perfectly time the whole animation.
Illuminate the Game: Creating an HD interstitial
Creating a HD interstitial by using various masking and layering techniques in After Effects.
Urbanicity: Environmental Impact
Step through time with this innovative look at the evolution of energy. Use 3D animation, layering, colorization and more to create this incredibly unique opener.
Organic Fruit & Textables
In this scenario of creating a commercial for the British Organic Health Agency, Artbeats royalty-free stock clips form the perfect background and motion for a truly memorable advertisement. Combine beautiful video with incredible 3D motion tracked text and playful animation techniques.
Fire & Water
In this tutorial, Aharon Rabinowitz shows you tips and techniques for creating interesting fire and water-based effects with your Artbeats footage. Topics covered include: Nesting and Pre-composing, Displacement Maps, Mattes, Transition Effects, Looping Footage, Adjustment Layers, and Text Treatments.
Come Rain or Shine
In this scenario of motion graphics design for a television channel's weather program, finding the right sky, clouds, or rainy background is quick and easy when presented with the wide selection of stock footage clips from Artbeats. But what about "adding" weather? Making it snow or rain over the top of 3D composited footage? See just how this seemingly impossible task becomes reality, and learn some new tricks in After Effects along the way!
"Eight" Movie Title Effects
Join the power of Adobe After Effects with the quality, variety and flexibility of Artbeats stock footage to create an amazingly detailed and textured movie title sequence!
"Earthfire" Television Intro
Learn cool real-world techniques to mask, color and control Artbeats stock footage to add depth and detail to this incredible TV intro.
"Inside the Machines" DVD Menus
Discover how to create cool, unique and highly flexible motion menu graphics for DVDs, with just a minimal investment in an Artbeats high-definition clip!
Doom Island
In this tutorial, Eran Stern takes you through the steps of creating a dark, eerie opener for a Reality TV show. Designed entirely of stock footage clips, this piece employs masking and layering techniques to help add an exotic flair.
Seattle 3007 - Creative Compositing
Veteran trainer Brian Maffitt shows you how to stretch your creative potential using Artbeats footage. Replace a typically gloomy Seattle sky with a brilliant tropical sunset, while leaving the buildings in place to reflect the vibrant colors of the fading sun. Then learn techniques that will turn the skyline into a glowing space city, translucent and glowing with the energy of a nearby quasar. You'll see how easy it is to create the effects of your dreams!
Blooming Marvellous
Angie Taylor takes you through the steps to build an opening title sequence for a TV show using Artbeats footage to create 3D flowers growing within After Effects 3D world. This lesson also provides you with the experience of using scripts within After Effects.
Film Effects
Follow Shane Ross as he shows you how film effects like light leaks and film damage can be incorporated into your video footage to give them a more convincing film look.
Design and Production Techniques for Cinema 4D and After Effects
The ultimate workshop for Cinema 4D and After Effects
Finally, the ultimate single workshop for Cinema 4D and After Effects. Work side–by–side with designer, Cinema 4D expert and Mograph master Tim Clapham as you create a stunning, multi-layered news opener from start to finish. This training is jam-packed with techniques, tips and shortcuts including real-world techniques for getting the most out of the Cinema 4D Mograph module. Suitable for beginner and intermediate users or anyone serious about mastering Cinema 4D with After Effects at an industry level.
Topics include:
Creating the Globe
Working with layouts; Creating and Cloning onto a Sphere Object; Generating the Globe Effect with the Shader Effector; Introducing the Plain Effector and Effector falloff.
Creating the Orbiting Text
Preparing Illustrator artwork; Importing artwork and creating Extrude NURBS; Introducing the Fracture Object; Orbiting the text with the Spline Effector; Linking parameters using Xpresso and Set Driver; Organising the scene with layers.
Working with Cameras
A basic camera rig with User Data; Linking User Data to object parameters using Xpresso; Animating the camera; Manipulating F-Curves.
Animating the Text and Globe
Animating the text using Spline Effector; Scaling and rotating the text using Effectors; Animating the globe rotation; Using Animation Layers to add secondary animation; Adjusting Shader Mapping to enhance composition.
Modeling a Basic Soccer ball
Using Primitives to create the basic football shape; Using modeling tools to edit the football model; Adding textures to Selection sets; Baking a spherical map from the football model; Wiping from globe to football with Effectors.
Creating Materials and the Content Browser
Using the Fresnel shader; Adding HDRI reflections Presets; Catalogs and the Content Browser; The Compositing Tag; Lumas Shader for Anistrophic Highlights.
Lighting the Scene
Introduction to Light types; Using Area Lights; The Target Tag; Three point lighting; Include / Exclude lists; Controlling specular highlights.
Streaks of Light
Using Viewport filters; Matrix Object vs Cloner Object; Creating splines using with the Tracer Object; Adding and optimising geometry with Sweep NURBS; Limiting Tracer results; Making Luminant Materials.
More Graphic Elements
Radial duplication with Cloner Object; Using Blend mode; Cloning Cloner objects; Modifying Clones with Effectors.
Preparing for Render
External Compositing Tag to Export 3D data; Assigning Object Buffers; Configuring output parameters; Setting up Multipass rendering; Exporting After Effects compositing file.
Importing into After Effects
Importing the AEC file, Organising the project; Separating 3D Elements with Object Buffers; Creating the background.
Enhancing the 3D Render
Colour correction; Adding glows; Creating a turbulent glow; Adding a border to the text; Emphasizing specular highlights.
Finishing Touches
Using the exported 3D data; Adding trails with Trapcode Particular; Using Expressions to add randomness; Adding extra 3D elements; Creating an image wipe transition; Fina
About your Host: With over 11 years experience, Tim Clapham is an industry recognized expert in Cinema 4D and a renowned trainer with a strong attention to detail. As a Company Director of HYPA, Tim works with a wide range of global advertising and broadcast companies, producing world-class content that is both technically challenging and innovative.
Aetuts+ is a site made to house and showcase some of the best After Effects tutorials around.
We publish tutorials that not only produce great effects, but explain them in a friendly,
approachable manner. We also stock up links to tutorials, articles, presets and plugins from around
the web to help you get the most out of After Effects.
01. Create a Breakup into Particles Logo Transition
A very popular request is how to make a logo breakup into particles and reform into another logo.
There's many ways to achieve this and most of them require a full 3D application, but in this
tutorial we learn how to achieve it all in After Effects using a 3D particle systems and a few smoke
and mirrors.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After
Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
02. Create an Illuminating “Light Painting” Effect
You've surely seen a "light painting" photograph by now. Sprint made it very popular in their latest
advertising campaign, but it's been around for a long time, Picasso made a light painting in 1949. In
this tutorial Ben shows us how to easily recreate this effect using particles in After Effects.
Author: Ben McEwan
Ben McEwan grew up in Canberra, Australia. He started learning visual effects from a young age and
persistantly followed his dreams. Today, Ben does freelance work for feature films, short films and
television programs, and one day hopes to win an Academy Award.
This effect is loosely based off the traditional method of shooting still photographs with a slow
exposure to capture the motion path of a light. This tutorial is filled with many small tips and
tricks for Adobe After Effects to enhance the average user's knowledge and speed up their workflow.
If you would like some footage to experiment with, you can download the footage here
03. Create a Stunning Website Demo Presentation
As our world moves more and more onto the internet there are lots of websites that are worth showing
off. In this tutorial Markus shows us how to create a clean and elegant solution to show off your
favorite site.
Author: Markus Gustafsson
Visit my portfolio at NinjaEffects.com.
04. Create an Elegantly Handwritten Text Reveal
In this tutorial you will learn how to animate a handwritten text sequence with ink bleeding through
the paper to create an elegant old-world style title reveal.
Author: Jurrien Boogert
24 years old student in animation with the focus on motion design always looking out for freelance
jobs who, besides making things move, also loves producing music.
05. Design an Awesome 80’s Inspired Title Animation
We are very happy to welcome Nick Campbell (aka The Greyscale Gorilla) to the Aetuts+ family. He's an
incredibly talented designer and a fantastic teacher. In his first tutorial for us he shows us how to
create this awesome 80's style title animation. He covers a whole bunch of awesome little tips that
are sure be useful on any After Effects project.
Author: Nick Campbell
My name is Nick Campbell and greyscalegorilla is my photoblog. I currently live in Chicago and work
at Digital Kitchen as a Motion Designer. I get a kick out of solving problems.
06. Create a Breathtakingly Awesome Rain Scene - Day 1
In this massive 2 part tutorial inspired by the work of Pierre Michel, Alex Verlan shows us how to
create the dramatic slow motion rain drops falling scene entirely within After Effects.
Author: Alex Verlan
Hello! I'm from Ukraine. I've been in love with After Effects and motion graphic design for 2 years.
It is and stays my hobby, however last year I started working as a freelance motion graphic designer.
07. Create a Breathtakingly Awesome Rain Scene - Day 2
In this massive 2 part tutorial inspired by the work of Pierre Michel, Alex Verlan shows us how to
create the dramatic slow motion rain drops falling scene entirely within After Effects.
Author: Alex Verlan
Hello! I'm from Ukraine. I've been in love with After Effects and motion graphic design for 2 years.
It is and stays my hobby, however last year I started working as a freelance motion graphic designer.
08. Create an Ethereal Morphing Letter Canvas
Once in a while a new (or in this case very rarely used) technique appears on the scene and suddenly
you start seeing it everywhere. Well we have a feeling that this is going to be one of those. In this
tutorial Satya shows us how to use the built-in radio waves plugin to create an incredibly beautiful
and ethereal animation of morphing letters.
Author: Satya Meka
Satya Meka is a 19yrs old aspiring motion designer who is willing to work with interesting people. He
believes Math and Art are related to each other and he is passionate about moving things.
Preview Versions Note: We are transitioning to a new video player so we are posting the preview in
two different formats to see which version works best for everyone. If you can see one version but
not the other please let us know in the comments.
09. Create a Mysterious Smoky Logo Reveal
In this fun tutorial, Adam walks us through the write-on effect as well as a new way to implement
trapcode's particular to create the popular simulation of an appearing wisp of smoke. He shows us
some options to this effect as well how to customize any logo apply these principles in any way you
wish.
Author: Adam Everett Miller
Originally from MN, Adam moved to VA in 2004 to go to Liberty University. While there he met some
rocking friends, had some fun and learned a lot. He worked for the school for a while helping with
their promo videos and now is the Video Director of Hello Marketing in Lynchburg, VA.
10. Create a Beautifully Animated Faux 3D Flower Scene
In this tutorial you will learn how to create and animate a beautiful and fully animatable 3D flower
that can be the star or simply a design element of any motion graphics piece.
Author: Tan Wei Yan
A CG & Motion Graphics Designer. Freelancing on Motion Graphics Projects.
11. Play with Fire to Create a Fiery Logo Transition
Playing with fire will no longer get in trouble with your mother! High quality fluid dynamics has
traditionally been reserved for high end 3D applications, but in this tutorial we learn to harness
these simulations in After Effects to literally play with fire and create this fiery logo transition.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After
Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
12. Learn how to Create Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is the failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same point. To a
cinematographer this can be an undesired effect, but in motion graphics it can be a very nice
addition. While it would be great to capture chromatic aberration naturally with real lenses, most
modern lenses aim to minimize this effect. This is why we are dedicating this tutorial to learning
how to recreate this phenomenon using built-in after effects plugins.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After
Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
13. Animate Type the Old School Way
It's easy to get excited over the latest plugin or technology, but that inevitably leads to stuff
that all looks the same. So to get something new and original, sometimes you just need to go Old
School! Before computers, the way to produce type animations was to get creative with some props and
a camera. Lloyd shows us how to use some reflective paper and a camera to capture some very fresh
type animation. Of course he will also show you how to use After Effects as a finishing tool to bring
it all together; this is Aetuts+ after all!
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After
Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
14. Create a Dreamy Logo in the Clouds Animation
Markus is back to show us how to use a particle generator to create 3D clouds and use them as a
transitional device to reveal a logo.
Author: Markus Gustafsson
Visit my portfolio at NinjaEffects.com.
15. Create a “Day After Tomorrow” Inspired Instant Freeze Effect
In honor of Oscar's week we have another movie VFX shot inspired tutorial. A frequently requested
theme is the effect of something being frozen very quickly. This tutorial will explain how to achieve
this effect as well as a cool camera lens frost over and crack.
Author: Ben Wotton
Ben Wotton has a keen interest in Visual Effects and spends much of his time doing tests and thinking
up ideas for new ones. He has been accepted to study a Bachelor of Arts (Animation & Visual Effects)
at Charles Sturt University, Australia.
16. Create Your Own “Private Ryan” Movie Shot - Day 1
You don't have to be Steven Spielberg, you don't need millions of dollars, you don't even need more
than one actor to make your own war movie (well, one shot anyway). In this two day tutorial series,
Michal will show you how to create a realistic war movie shot using only one actor and a camera man.
Day 1 will show you: Color correction, realistic camera shake, and bullets hitting the ground on fast
footage. These are just pointers to lead you on your track to making convincing war movie visual
effects.
3... 2... 1... FIRE!
Author: Michal Jagiello
I'm interested in all aspects of moviemaking: shooting, mixing and camera operating, starting from
when the Matrix was released. For 3 years I've been recording some funny, amateur stuff. Now the time
has come for more serious work: time for compositing and adding video effects!
17. Create Your Own “Private Ryan” Movie Shot - Day 2
On day 2 of this charged tutorial, Michal will try to give you some insights and hints about gun
firings, ricochets and keying out soldiers to clone and paste them in to moving footage. So, needless
to say... just LOCK n' LOAD!
Author: Michal Jagiello
I'm interested in all aspects of moviemaking: shooting, mixing and camera operating, starting from
when the Matrix was released. For 3 years I've been recording some funny, amateur stuff. Now the time
has come for more serious work: time for compositing and adding video effects!
18. Simulate a Dramatic Underground Blast
In this tutorial we learn how to harness the shatter plugin along with some expressions and color
correction to simulate a dramatic underground explosion that ripples and dislodges the ground.
Author: Fred McCoy
Fred McCoy also known as Megalongcat is a Communication Design and Technology Major from Parsons
School of Design in New York City. He currently works for the website design company Blue Fountain
Media and runs the design criticism blog Megalongcat. His field of expertise includes Corporate
Branding, SEO Design, Front-End Web Development, Design Research, Ethical Design, Motion Graphics and
Design Critique.
19. Create an Old TV Footage Effect
You've probably seen other old TV effect tutorials before but in this tutorial Greg pays attention to
minute details like the RGB pixel separation and teaches us how to achieve this look using all
built-in After Effects tools.
Author: Greg DiGenti
Greg DiGenti is an artist who has been working in graphic design for years and has recently taken the
skills he learned working with Photoshop, illustrator, and Flash, and moved into the realm of motion
graphics and animation using After Effects as his primary tool. Though his career in this field has
been relatively short, he has already worked on several projects such as an animated viral marketing
piece for Sony BMG, an animated comic book for Studio 407, a book trailer, and several effects shots
and an animated credit sequence for a Wax Poetics/Fourth Density produced documentary. His portfolio
can be found at http://12gaugechicken.com.
20. Create a “Light-tastic” Logo Reveal Animation - Day 1
In this 2 part tutorial we get our hands dirty with a little expression math to create some
beautifully organic light streaks that are used to reveal the AETUTS logo. In part 1 Lloyd breaks
down the science behind creating a simple expression that drives the light streak emitter and shows
you how easy it is to create infinite variations with ease.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After
Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
21. Create a “Light-tastic” Logo Reveal Animation - Day 2
In part 2 we learn how to use 32-bit compositing with custom particle shapes to create the
"light-tastical" light streaking logo reveal animation.
Author: Lloyd
I am the editor of Aetuts+. I also run AESCRIPTS.com which provides useful scripts for Adobe After
Effects. You can follow me on Twitter @aescripts
22. Create a Rhythmic ‘Beat-shake’ Effect
In this tutorial you'll learn how to make moving geometric shapes shake and shudder as if they've
been moved by the vibrations of a beat. You'll learn how to sync this effect to music and create the
building blocks of a stunning and futuristic music video.
Author: John Schlemmer
John loves making things move. Inspired by musical artists such as BT and Hecq, he constantly
continues to try out new styles of animation. When he's not messing around with After Effects or
Flash, he loves sitting down to watch a good episode of The Office, or trying to figure out which new
electronic gadget he should buy. Oh, and Legos. He loves Legos.
Make sure to watch the addendum posted below the tutorial where John explains how he used Photoshop
and After Effects to create the organic background that is used throughout the piece.
