Category Archives: Tutorials
Video Rock Overview
Now that Video Rock is distributed exclusively through Red Giant Software, there have been some changes. There’s a few things gone, a few new things, and some more stuff coming, like Video Rock #2. This video is a 10 minute walk through of the first Video Rock library, including some tips on how to loop elements, how to do quick designs with the prerendered movies, as well as some useful finishing tips.
Preserving Detail with the History Brush
Adding stylized color treatments can greatly enhance your photos. Sometimes, with all of the layered adjustments being used, details can get lost in light or dark areas. The History Brush is a great way to add them back in.
Using Adjustment Lights
In this QuickTip, I’ll show you how to manage lights with Trapcode products: how to light 3D layers and exclude emitter lights from those same layers.
Toon Drops in Cinema 4D
Learn how to use Spline Wrap and Sketch and Toon to create flowing drop shapes. This is actually an old tutorial that held off on publishing until this job was well in the can.
Drifting Title Sequence
The long awaited follow up to my old “Grunge Tutorial”. Learn how to use multiple nulls and parenting to simplify an otherwise complex camera move. Then use Particular and some additional effects to dress up the scene.
3D Invigorator + Video Rock Title
This is a tutorial showing some trick I’ve been using lately, creating an edge glow effect on 3D surfaces. I first used this on some Cinema 4D renders on the TV Land spot here: graymachine.com/2009/10/tv-land-prime-feels-good/ and really liked the effect.
In the example here, I am using 3D Invigorator, something more people are probably familiar with.
Fractal Noise Fade Effect
Learn how to use Fractal Noise to create a textured fade on a layer in After Effects. Then add some more effects and elements to finish up the title effect.
Retro Style Graphics
Learn how to create a vintage retro style. Use the graymachine 3D preset to create 3D extruded text and apply the BadTV preset. Create lens flares using standard AE shape layers and effects.
Text Effects with Set Matte
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to use the Set Matte effect with other effects like Fractal Noise, Glow, and TriTone to can create some incredible text effects!
Haunted Audio
Aharon Rhabinowitz from All Bets Are Off Production and Red Giant Software and myself had a similar idea: doing some tutorials on sound design with the tools available to most motion designers. In this tutorial, we both demonstrate techniques on creating backwards reverb. Aharon shows you some techniques common to most editing tools, and I do the same thing in After Effects.