Up until CS4 the only way to work with true 3D objects in After Effects was to use a plug-in such as Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator. Now thanks to Live Photoshop 3D, 3D objects can be imported directly without the need for a plug-in. As you’ll see in this tutorial, it’s still early days but certainly gives an idea of the direction in which After Effects is heading. Watch tutorial

Complex projects with many nested comps have always been a challenge to navigate, but the new Composition Navigator and Composition Mini-flowchart make it so easy you’ll wonder how you worked without them. In part 2 we take a look at the key techniques for using these new features. Watch tutorial

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.  Watch tutorial

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Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects, Zaxwerks ProAnimator and Zaxwerks 3D Flag

Strap On Your Motion Graphics Black Belt

In this 2.5 hour video workshop work side–by–side with senior broadcast designer, After Effects expert and Zaxwerks demo artist John Dickinson, to create the powerful Northstar Martial Arts animation from start to finish.

Topics include:

• Discussing key design decisions
• Background creation and modification
• Creating graphic elements in Adobe Illustrator and After Effects
• Logo preparation in Illustrator
• Logo modelling and texturing in ProAnimator
• Preparing JPEG files with Illustrator Live Trace
• Getting the most out of mini-dv footage
• Creating 3D banners with 3D Flag
• Tricks for isolating glows to logo bevels
• Simulating refraction and depth of field
• Finishing touches to add mood

About your Host: Based in Sydney Australia, John Dickinson is a cutting-edge motion graphics artist who is in demand. John combines 12 years of industry experience with a proven teaching ability to provide high quality learning resources that encourage and challenge participants to break through to new levels of excellence and impact in their work.
Watch promo | Watch free introduction | Watch free lesson 1

Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects, Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro, Trapcode Particular and Form

Make Sure Your Work Gets Noticed

Look over the shoulder of motion graphic designer and After Effects expert Harry Frank as he shares pro–level techniques for creating a beautiful, organic broadcast promotion.

Topics include:

• Understanding and working with consistent color palettes using Adobe Kuler
• Advanced animation and texturing with Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro
• Generating realistic clouds with Trapcode Particular and light emittters
• Creating life–like 3D grass with CC Hair
• Animating with expressions to save time
• Using gravity and turbulence to create realistic 3D falling leaves
• Advanced type animation plus an in–depth study of After Effects’ type animation tools
• Creating organic, flowing design elements with Trapcode Flow
• Finishing touches to add color and mood

About your Host: Harry Frank is a freelance motion graphics designer and instructor based in Los Angeles. As a motion designer, Harry strives to strike a balance in his technical and creative endeavors, ranging from his popular After Effects training series to his work with companies such as Digital Kitchen, MGM, Little Red Robot and Royal Pictures.

ProAnimator Users: You can also take advantage of this great training. Check out this free video tutorial that shows you step-by-step how to use ProAnimator in place of 3D Invigorator for this workshop.

Watch promo | Watch free introduction

This look is based on graphics from the original trailer for “Untraceable”. The base is a simple static fractal noise layer and scan lines created using the Venetian Blinds effect. The binary code is a field of custom Particular particles with a camera fly through. A nice addition – courtesy of a funky Maltaannon expression – cycles the one’s and zero’s randomly. Read more…

Learn how to build backgrounds like a broadcast designer

In this series of tutorials your host John Dickinson demonstrates how create to a range of professional, broadcast-style backgrounds in After Effects. In addition to the base backgrounds, you will learn how to create numerous stunning variations. By the end of the series you will have a strong understanding of the workflow that John uses every day working in broadcast television and the skills necessary to build your own. Your creativity is the only limit!

This value bundle includes lessons 2 to 7 of the Creative Background Design Series:

• Lesson 01: Basic Fractal Loop
  Getting started with Fractal Noise in After Effects Free Download (32MB)
• Lesson 02: Award Night
  Create a realistic theatre curtain.
• Lesson 03: Venetian Blocks
  Create interesting and varied background effects.
• Lesson 04: Fractal Flower
  Create a gorgeous fractal flower and hi-tech worm hole.
• Lesson 05: Molten Cells
  Create an undulating molten lava background.
• Lesson 06: Rose Window
  Create a variety of Persian-style designs.
• Lesson 07: Vector Light
  Create a versatile and stylish blurred light background. Note: the Vector Paint effect was removed in After Effects CS5, although projects from previous releases using Vector Paint will open in CS5.

All project files are included as well as bonus project files which include the individual lesson title animations created using Zaxwerks ProAnimator. The documentation contains an introduction PDF that explains everything you need to know.

About your Host: Based in Sydney Australia, John Dickinson is a cutting-edge motion graphics artist who is in demand. John combines 12 years of industry experience with a proven teaching ability to provide high quality learning resources that encourage and challenge participants to break through to new levels of excellence and impact in their work.

Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects
and Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro

Make Sure Your Work Gets Noticed

Sit with freelance artist and After Effects expert Alan Shisko as he walks you through his favorite techniques, tips and tricks for creating a stunning broadcast news animation sequence.

Topics include:

• Learning how to think like a designer
• Effective project workflow
• Pro-level modeling and texturing with Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro
• Advanced techniques for transforming and deforming Invigorator objects
• Building dynamic transitions using text
• Beyond–the–ordinary background design
• Creative color grading with blend modes
• Quick and easy lower third design
• Mastering the After Effects Graph Editor
• Tips and tricks for taking control of masks

 
About your Host: Alan Shisko has been working in the film, photography and motion graphics industry since 1991. Based out of Toronto, Canada, Alan is recognized internationally both for his award-winning work and for his dedication to the artistry of broadcast design. Alan encourages a balance of technique and artistry which top motion graphic design demands.

Watch promo | Watch free introduction

Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects and Zaxwerks ProAnimator, Knoll Light Factory and More

Make Sure Your Work Gets Noticed

In this 2 hour video workshop, senior broadcast designer and After Effects expert John Dickinson guides you step–by–step through real–world techniques for creating an impactful broadcast motion graphics promotion.

Topics include:

• Making backgrounds with ProAnimator, Fractal Noise and other effects
• Using ProAnimator primitives and textures to create the planet Mars
• Using After Effects versus ProAnimator cameras and lights
• Enhancing your work’s mood and “watch-ability factor”
• Secrets to getting faster workflow
• Preparing Illustrator files for the smoothest workflow
• Modelling, texturing and animating logos in ProAnimator
• Using ProAnimator for beyond–the–ordinary text animations
• Workflow tips for creating multiple versions
• Design and production tricks for integrating logos and text using effects such as Trapcode Shine, Starglow, Knoll Light Factory and more

About your Host: Based in Sydney Australia, John Dickinson is a cutting-edge motion graphics artist who is in demand. John combines 12 years of industry experience with a proven teaching ability to provide high quality learning resources that encourage and challenge participants to break through to new levels of excellence and impact in their work.

Watch promo | Watch free introduction

Make a realistic theatre curtain in After Effects

In this video tutorial your host John Dickinson demonstrates how to make a realistic theatre curtain background and other variations in After Effects. John uses innovative techniques and explains several shortcuts that will help your workflow.

All project files are included as well as a bonus project file which includes the beautiful Award Night titles created using Zaxwerks ProAnimator. The documentation contains an introduction PDF that explains everything you need to know.

Make a multi-layered, tech-style background

In this video tutorial your host John Dickinson demonstrates how to use expressions and real-world techniques to make a multi-layered, tech-style background and stunning variations. The lesson is clearly explained and includes cool tricks that will help your After Effects workflow.

All project files are included as well as a bonus project file which includes the Venetian Blocks titles created using Zaxwerks ProAnimator. The documentation contains an introduction PDF that explains everything you need to know.