September 5, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 349 views | Comments (1)

This seamlessly looping After Effects background is based on the Cell Pattern effect and includes a number of adjustment layers you can use to modify the basic look.

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May 18, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 12,797 views | Comments (10)

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

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February 21, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 15,491 views | Comments (17)

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

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February 16, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 6,545 views | Comments (17)

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.

Watch tutorial

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February 7, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 5,920 views | Comments (19)

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

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December 11, 2008 by John Dickinson  | 10,881 views | Comments (9)

Summer is almost upon us here in Australia but I know that many of you on the other side of the world are heading into a long cold winter. So I thought I’d make a pretty snowflake background for you to use. It’s based on a very handy confetti background created by Peder Norby from Trapcode.  
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November 18, 2008 by John Dickinson  | 6,960 views | Comments (11)

Here is the After Effects project for Unbreakable. The look is based on graphics from the original movie trailer; read the Gallery post for more details.

Gallery post   Download project

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October 2, 2008 by John Dickinson  | 5,805 views | Comments (2)

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:


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.

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October 1, 2008 by John Dickinson  | 4,421 views | Comments (0)

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.

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October 1, 2008 by John Dickinson  | 1,277 views | Comments (0)

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.

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May 13, 2008 by John Dickinson  | 15,719 views | Comments (8)

This starry background was created using a combination of Fractal Noise and Trapcode Particular and is based on a preset included with Particular.

Download Project.

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April 1, 2008 by John Dickinson  | 7,731 views | Comments (7)

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.  Download tutorial

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November 16, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 3,309 views | Comments (0)

Experimenting with the presets that ship with After Effects is a great way to create some unique looks. These backgrounds are based on the Cosmic Power (Backgrounds category) and the Cells (Synthetics category) presets.

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August 18, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 5,965 views | Comments (3)

Here are some darker experimentations with Fractal Noise and other effects I’ve been meaning to post. Try Brainstorming them and see what you can come up with. 

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August 14, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 4,991 views | Comments (5)

Here’s a neat background based on Knoll Light Factory. It’s basically 2 different flares; the top flare’s Angle property has been animated, with CC Time Blend used to soften and spread the rays. The bottom flare has been distorted using Turbulent Displace to give it a spooky feel, this also makes the large glow flare in the background look kind of like smoke.  Download project

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May 12, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 4,217 views | Comments (8)

This background uses a series of Illustrator dots animated using the wiggle expression applied to Scale and Opacity. This was then precomposed and CC Radial Blur and CC Toner applied. The grid was created using Grid, warped using Displacement Map and softened at the edges using Lens Blur. It has depth without actually being 3D. Watch movie   Download project

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May 2, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 5,435 views | Comments (3)

Here’s another example of taking a simple Shape Layer, in this case a star, and experimenting with the different settings.

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April 21, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 6,173 views | Comments (0)

After Effects CS3 includes a cool feature called Shape Layers which is basically a range of Illustrator-style tools for creating and animating vector objects. This simple cherry blossom–style background was created using only a single layer. Download project

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April 15, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 1,948 views | Comments (1)

Click for large imageThis background uses a dingbat font as the base graphic and can be customised simply by changing the font inside the Text comp. In this case I’ve used VTMeiOrnaments, but you can try any number of different dingbats or text fonts for different looks. The Text comp has been duplicated and offset in time with various effects applied.  Download project

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April 7, 2007 by John Dickinson  | 7,596 views | Comments (8)

This seamlessly looping After Effects background is based on the Cell Pattern effect and includes a number of adjustment layers you can use to modify the basic look.

Download project

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