Monyx's Weblog

Wiggle

monyx — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:50:20 +0000

Using the wiggle expressions effect on After Effects today was fun and confusing at the same time. For example, we used the beam effect to draw a swirly line, also using the write on effect.

1. First I made a solid and added the BEAM effect to it. Then I made another solid of another color and added the WRITE-ON effect to that.

2. Using Expressions, I applied a Wiggle on the Starting Point. To active the expression, hold down option and click on what attribute you want to put an expression on. I applied a wiggle(2,300). This meaning it moves 3 times per second, times how much space I want it to cover, or the magnitude of the value.

3. I then activate the expressions on the write-on tool Brush Position, because that is what I want the wiggle to effect. I dragged the pick whip from brush position down onto the starting point where I just applied my wiggle attributes.

4. The final outcome is a beam moving around and drawing the brush stroke as it moves.

Hot Keys

monyx — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:45:24 +0000

J&K – Move to the next or previous keyframe
To look at two attributes, such as Position and Opacity, “p” for Postion, “shift t” to get both.
B – Beginning of workspace
N – End of workspace
I – in point of the layer
O- out point of the layer
Option Bracket – moves the start or end of layer to the timeline instead of dragging each one out/in.
Can do to multiple layers at a time.
Numbers on the markers you drag out can be jumped to by the numbers on the numbers on top of keyboard.
U – Shows only the effects that have keyframes on the layer. Is easier to read and is organized.
V – Selection tool.
C – Camera
G – Pen tool
Turn Audio to keyframes – Right click on layer – TIme – Convert Audio to keyframes
Activate Expressions – Hold Option and click on stopwatch
Option + [ - makes layer start where your slider is placed
Option + ] – makes layer end where your slider is placed
Option + T – set opacity keyframe
Option + P – set postion keyframe
Command Shift Y – Change Sold settings
10-Key Pad – Use to change layers by layer numbers
Option Shift J – Brings dialog box to jump to particular keyframe
Options Shift – Hold when making shapes to make them even from anchor point
Top Number Pad – To move to numbered marker points
U – Only show effects with keyframes

Particle World Final Project

monyx — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:26:15 +0000

For my final project I am exploring the Particle World section of After Effects. I watched several tutorials online to get a feel for how to use the plug in. For my project I have made ink splatters out of particles, and creating a name plate within it.

Creating the splattered ink look:

In the Effects & Presets type in CC Particle World and drag onto comp
On the left you can mess with how you want the particles to look. I turned the grid off, and chose lens concave for particle type. I also changed the colors of the birth rate and death rate, and the size and position. Play with these effects until you get how you want it to look. I changed the layer to 3D so I could rotate the Z axis, and make the particles look flat and more like the splattered ink.
I then created a new solid, and created a drop. Brought the drop to the top of the comp, and off the page, and set a position key frame. Brought the drop straight down and off the comp, and set another key frame about 15 frames ahead.
I then created a mask around the splatters that was shaped like a curvy splatter. Brought the mask expansion to 0%, and timed it to where the drop comes down and right about the middle of the drop going through the “floor”, bring the mask expansion of the splatter up to 100%, let the drop fall through the “floor”, and bring the drop opacity to 0% so you can’t see it leaving the comp.

This is how I created the first part of my project with the droplets falling. It is pretty fun once you get the hang of it, but it’s all about timing everything perfect, so it looks seamless. That’s where a lot of the time was spent in making this effect look just right.

Rendering

monyx — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:34:26 +0000

Why do we render?

Render to preview your work.
Render for web/clients.
Completing it and exporting it as a format to present.

To Render

Make sure you are viewing the work area you want to render.
Composition>Make Movie (Command M)
3 things to check in BLUE WORDS

BLUE WORDS

Best Settings – Quality – Best
Resolution – Full
Loseless – What kind of compression? (Quicktime Movie is most common)
Format Options – Compression Type – H.264
Use DV-NTSC for directly to DVD
Use Animation if going into Final Cut
Output To – Save – Turn on CAPS LOCK and hit RENDER. Caps Lock increases speed of render.

Luma Matte

monyx — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:26:38 +0000

In the luma matte example we used the powdered sugar and paint splatter as examples. Luma Matte is a matte based on the layers brightness. Using the levels you can adjust the brightness, and bring in color gradients to use for effects. Our step by step:

Brought in powdered sugar blowing across screen.
Mask out anything you don’t want with SUBTRACT mask.
Bring in gradient underneath powder. Choose Trkmat>Luma Matte.
Brought text in underneath gradient, now reveals text with gradient.

Shoe Cropping Exercise

monyx — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:37:48 +0000

• Bring image (shoe) into Photoshop. Keep original layer, and make duplicate layer. Begin chopping however you want to cut the image up onto separate layers. Save as PSD.

• Bring image into AE as a composition. First step is to set anchor points where you want pieces to come in at. Just move the anchor, a keyframe does not have to be set.

• Begin on each layer to transform your individual pieces. Remember to set keyframe FIRST at the end on the timeline, what you want it to end up looking like – (normal size and opacity). Then make your changes throughout, it will automatically set keyframe for you. It’s good to randomize afterwards, but not to spend too much time on that, it should be quicker, so it is more natural.

Hello world!

monyx — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:00:41 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!