In this recorded version of a recent Adobe E-seminar we walk through After Effects techniques and workflow for creating a grungy and moody boxing promo. Techniques include color grading for a poster-style look, creating an old, weathered look using stock images and blend modes and tips and tricks for creating organic looks.
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In this tutorial hosted by Jerzy Drozda Jr. (aka Maltaannon) learn how to create a push pin toy effect as seen in Radiohead’s “House of Cards” video, by combing regular footage with Trapcode’s popular Form plug-in to create an eye-popping 3D effect. This is tutorial 2 from the popular Making It Look Great 5 training release featuring 10 full length tutorials. Read more…

In this video tip learn how to work faster and smarter when using duplicated text layers. Read more…

In the final part of this series we’ll look at how to add some more detail to the shatter in Cinema 4D using the Knife tool, add dust in Adobe After Effects using Trapcode Particular, create a quick background and fake refraction using the Displacement Map effect. Read more…

In part two of this series we’ll look at how to shatter the polygon object using Cinema 4D Explosion FX, add a glass material and image map to the face of the glass, and use an HDR image with the Sky object to create reflections. Read more…

In this 3 tutorial series we’ll look at how to build a glass shatter effect, based on a recent project for Damages 2, using Illustrator, After Effects and Cinema 4D. This section includes capturing the template in After Effects, paths in Illustrator and setting up imported splines as polygons in Cinema 4D. Read more…

Here are a couple of Form experiments. Both use the String settings; one for an amorphous background element and the other for an interesting text reveal. Click the thumbnail for large images.  Download Project

A while back I did a series of tutorials covering various aspects of Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro for After Effects. Most of the tutorials are also relevant to Zaxwerks ProAnimator since 3D Invigorator Pro and ProAnimator share the same setup window. These are now back online as a single zipped download (42MB) containing the following tutorials with workfiles: Read more…

Recently I was chatting with Aharon Rabinowitz about how I get value out of Twitter and Aharon suggested I record a tutorial to share with everyone. This tutorial will give you a rundown on how I’ve been using Twitter to add value for those who follow Motionworks and as a powerful business tool. Read more…

In this 30 minute tutorial you’ll learn techniques and workflow used in Adobe After Effects and Illustrator to create the dramatic effect of the Batman icon shattering apart revealing a bright light source behind. Plug-ins used include Knoll Light Factory, Trapcode Particular and Shine. For a 10% discount on these and other Red Giant Software products use the code Motionworks10.  Thanks to Ko Maruyama and Jonas Hummelstrand for creative input.   Watch Tutorial

In this 4 minute video tip learn about precomposing, versioning and the must-know shortcut for copying and pasting. No more pasting layers the hard way.

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Recently I was asked to come up with an idea for a show and as seems to be the case lately, had very little time to develop it. Click on the thumbnail and the first picture you’ll see are my initial ideas created in Illustrator. The second one is better than the first but simply making the T and A capitals in a script font (Scriptina) wasn’t working, Read more…

In this 3 minute video tip learn how to import footage with an alpha channel, apply it to an object in your scene, and have it play back in the timeline. Watch tip

In this short tutorial learn how to use After Effects’ Fast Blur, Turbulent Displace, Roughen Edges, Texturize, Displacement Map and Gradient Wipe effects to give text a grungy look.

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In the final part of this series learn how to use After Effects’ Color Link effect to integrate the can into the background, work with various Layer Styles, create a 3D text animation and add other finishing touches.   Watch tutorial

This After Effects CS4 background is based on a 3×3 Grid created in Adobe Illustrator. Click the thumbnail to view full size images.Take a look at this on-demand e-seminar for tips on how it was set up and how to work with the Illustrator file to change the shapes.  Download project

This 1 hour recorded e-seminar covers some basic techniques, some little-known techniques and plenty of handy workflow tips for using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator with Adobe After Effects. Click the thumbnail to view full size images.   Watch e-seminar   Download project

In part 3 of this series learn how to use After Effects Shape Layers to add dynamic and organic, self-animating elements to the background.

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In part 2 of this series learn how to use After Effects Shape Layers, Fractal Noise and Grid effects to create background elements, then animate them using the Convert Audio to Keyframes feature. Watch tutorial

In 2008 I did a series of roadshows for Adobe where I presented a neat little animation of a dancing can. In this series of tutorials I’ll walk you step-by-step through various After Effects techniques for creating this spot. This section deals with Puppet Pin tool basics and how to use the cool motion sketch feature to animate to music.  Watch tutorial

Primatte Keyer is a popular and powerful keying plug-in that has been used in numerous high profile motion pictures. This video tutorial walks you through the basics of using Primatte Keyer Pro in Final Cut Pro but is also suitable for After Effects, Motion and Avid users.  Watch tutorial

Text Anarchy includes the GridSquares and GridLines effects, previously part of Digital Anarchy’s Geomancy. In this tutorial you’ll learn the basics of using these surprisingly useful particle effects.

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In this 2 minute video tip see how the vibrate tag can be used to add automatic animation and save time when working in Cinema 4D.

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In this 3.5 minute video tip learn how you can look through a camera linked to a light and see exactly what the light is pointing at, making lighting your After Effects scene easier and more intuitive.

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In this 2 minute video tip learn how you can use the Link Active Object command to take control of lights and make lighting your Cinema 4D scene easier and fun.

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