Archive for the ‘Tutorials’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

New 3D Reflector Video Tutorial – Fancy Reflective Floors

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Following the Multiple Reflective Surfaces tutorial, we now have a video tutorial that covers how use switch multiple floor surfaces with 3D Reflector!

Learn the following:

• Using the “Reflections Only” feature.

• The setup that allows you to quickly switch from one floor surface to the next.

• Adjusting the Reflectivity for different types of floor surfaces such as wood, marble, or metal.

• Applying Blur filters to the reflections.

• Working with the Luma Matte feature to make a realistic mask for the reflection.

• Setting up the Mask layer.


Click on the image above, or the link below to learn more about 3D Reflector!

3D Reflector Fancy Reflective Floors Tutorial

Posted in 3D Reflector, General, Tutorials | 1 Comment »

New 3D Reflector Video Tutorial – Setting Up Multiple Reflective Surfaces

Monday, September 28th, 2009

New 3D Reflector video tutorial available! In this tutorial, we’ll be covering a project that deals with multiple reflective surfaces, as well as the advanced controls of 3D Reflector.

Learn the following:

• Applying 3D Reflector to both a floor and a wall surface.

• Changing the Reflectivity (brightness or dimness of the reflection) on the wall.

• Adding Falloff. This effect allows your objects to fade in as the objects are getting closer to the reflective surface.

• Adjusting the Object Falloff Distance. Changing this value allows you to control the distance when your objects fade in. This also enables you to change how reflective a surface appears.

• Using the Vampire Controls. The Vampire settings lets you clean up your reflections by selecting which objects you want to reflect onto the reflective surface.


Click on the image above, or the link below to learn more about 3D Reflector!

3D Reflector Multiple Reflective Surfaces Tutorial

Posted in 3D Reflector, General, Tutorials | 1 Comment »

3D Serpentine Tutorial by Eran Stern

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Join Eran Stern as he guides you through the 3D Serpentine controls, and how to create his cool Autumn 2009 Blockbuster Movies intro!

Learn the following:

• Path Creation – drawing one individual path, and having all the elements of 3D Serpentine tie to that path.

• Assigning multiple text elements to one instance of 3D Serpentine.

• Changing different head and body serpent colors.

• Creating the cascading animation for all the extruded text.

• Offset the circle design.

• Applying a reflection map to all the 3D Serpentine elements.

• Adding additional camera animations and particle effects.


Click on the image above, or the link below to check out the tutorial!

Eran Stern’s 3D Serpentine Tutorial

Posted in 3D Serpentine, General, Tips, Tutorials | 13 Comments »

Reflector Quick Start Available!

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Reflector Quick Start is now available! Learn how to install the Reflector plug-in as well as the Reflector Updater Script. The tutorial will go over applying Reflector to your reflective surface, and how to set up Reflector with a camera animation and also with an object animation.

In addition, see an example on how you can use 3D Invigorator and ProAnimator to create realistic reflections for your 3D objects.

Check out the new video tutorial below:

Zaxwerks Video Tutorials

Posted in 3D Reflector, General, Tutorials | No Comments »

Creating the Mac Intro with After Effects and 3D Invigorator

Monday, August 24th, 2009

















Aetuts+ has released a new tutorial featuring how to create the Mac Intro with After Effects and 3D Invigorator.

Follow After Effects artist Saqib Naqvi as he goes over his tutorial on how to create the Mac intro. His tutorial will go over how to create the 3D text, as well as animating the fly-in. In addition, he will go over material setup such as applying texture maps and reflection maps.

In After Effects, he will guide you through how to create the aurora look and work with Trapcode Particular.

Be sure to view both episodes of his tutorial below:

Mac OSX Wallpaper Creation – With Invigorator Pro Day 1

Mac OSX Wallpaper Creation – With Invigorator Pro Day 2

Posted in 3D Invigorator Pro, General, Tutorials | No Comments »

ProAnimator Tutorial: Applying Layer Maps vs Directly Loading in a Texture Map

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Ever wondered why you would use Layer Maps vs Directly loading an image or movie directly as a texture map onto your 3D object? Jeff Carrion from SuiteTake goes over a comprehensive tutorial about the advantages and disadvantages of using layer maps vs directly loading in a file.

Jeff’s project involved him moving the globe from one continent to another while being coordinated with a pre-recorded sound clip. This tutorial goes over some of the obstacles you may run into when working on this type of project.

If you ever wondered about when you should use layer maps, and when to load textures directly into a material swatch, this is the tutorial to watch.

http://www.suitetake.com/2009/08/17/live-previews-with-zaxwerks-proanimator/

Posted in General, ProAnimator, Tutorials | 2 Comments »

3D Serpentine Demo Movie Tutorial

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

The long awaited 3D Serpentine demo movie is available! This is a quick movie that goes over what you can do to set up 3D Serpentine. The movie goes over how to set up custom layer masks, rotations, and setting up multiple serpents.

Look for more tutorial movies that will go over installation, and path setups in the near future.

Check out the new video tutorial below:

Zaxwerks Video Tutorials

Posted in 3D Serpentine, General, Tutorials | 3 Comments »

ProAnimator FX Tutorial Movie

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Embryo has released a new tutorial on Noise Industries Generators combined with the effects of ProAnimator FX. Watch Zak Peric’s tutorial on how to to create a news reel for a imaginary TV Station.

Zak Peric is a freelance artist and lecturer teaching for Creative Computing at Tower Hamlets College and London College of Communication.

You can follow more of his tutorials on his website:
Embryo

Watch the tutorial from the original source below:
Tutorial Movie

Watch the completed animation below:
Completed Tutorial Animation

Posted in General, ProAnimator FX, Tips, Training, Tutorials | 1 Comment »

3D Invigorator Video Training

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

John Dickinson from Motionworks has re-released his 3D Invigorator Pro training videos. If you use 3D Invigorator Pro or ProAnimator, it’s highly recommended that you watch the movies.

- These are the topics covered in his training videos:
- Creating Layer Maps (3D Invigorator Classic/Pro/ProAnimator)
- The Wireframe Material (3D Invigorator Pro/ProAnimator)
- The Absolute Color Material (3D Invigorator Pro/ProAnimator)
- The Cartoon Material (3D Invigorator Pro/ProAnimator)
- The Matte Color Material (3D Invigorator Pro/ProAnimator)
- 3D Object Tracking Part 1 (3D Invigorator Pro)
- 3D Object Tracking Part 2 (3D Invigorator Pro)

Be sure to click on the link to download all the videos and tutorial files!

Posted in 3D Invigorator Pro, General, Tips, Training, Tutorials | No Comments »

3D Serpentine Demo Movie

Friday, May 8th, 2009

Join Jerzy Drozda Jr. (aka. Maltaannon) as he does a quick demonstration on the capabilities of 3D Serpentine!

Posted in 3D Serpentine, General, Tutorials | 5 Comments »

NAB 2009 and 3D Serpentine are here!

Monday, April 20th, 2009


Meet John Dickinson, and the rest of the Zaxwerks crew as we demonstrate Motion Graphic techniques and products to make videos look great.


Join Zax as he is demonstrating features for the TV crew.

If you are attending NAB, be sure to visit our booth at SL 2529G where we have all our products at NAB special pricing, and watch as we unveil our newest product, “3D Serpentine”.

3D Serpentine brings big-time 3D effects
to Motion Graphics and Video artists. Creating 3D noodles, also called path extrusions, is no longer difficult nor time consuming. Now you can do them live, right inside of Adobe After Effect

If you know how to make a 3D path in After Effects you can create fanciful 3D noodles with the 3D Serpentine plug-in.

Create cool 3D effects like moving film strips, shooting stars, animated marquee signs, swirling tubes, winding helixes, twisting extruded text, arrow pointers and self-tying ribbons.

Early reviews of 3D Serpentine have already started coming in:

“3D Serpentine will completely redefine how After Effects artists approach 3D motion graphics design. Dynamic 3D lines, extruded sweeping 3D text, and action-intensive 3D graphics no longer require animators to leave the After Effects environment that they already know so well … A MUST HAVE.”

- Ko Maruyama CREATIVEMAC.COM

For more information, check out:

Posted in 3D Serpentine, General, Tips, Training, Tutorials | No Comments »

NAB 2009 Motion Graphic Workshops

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Check out these new workshops from Jim Kanter!

Jim is a media specialist/trainer whose work takes him all over the world working with a wide range of clients. He specializes in Apple-based systems.

3D Motion Graphics with ProAnimator

Las Vegas Convention Center: N254
April 19 * 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Long considered a secret weapon of savvy motion graphics designers,
Zaxwerks ProAnimator has made creating eye-popping 3D text and logo
animations quick and easy. At the same time, it also allows tremendous
flexibility to create and customize sophisticated 3D text, objects and
animation. Available as a standalone application or plug-in that works
in After Effects, Motion and Final Cut Pro, you will learn how to use
this powerful tool to easily create great 3D elements in your
projects.

Audience: Motion Graphic artists just starting to learn about the
benefits of ProAnimator.

Introduction to Illustrator for Motion Graphics

Las Vegas Convention Center: N254
April 20 * 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Now part of the Production Premium bundle, Adobe Illustrator has
become an important tool for video. New users will learn about the
many tools and techniques that will allow them to easily create paths,
shapes, blends and complex gradients. Master the pen tool, text
manipulation, creating paths, shapes and masks, preparing outlines for
building 3D objects, converting photos into vector art, and how to
integrate these elements into After Effects, Motion and Zaxwerks
applications.

Audience: Motion graphic artists and editors new to using Adobe Illustrator in video.

Posted in General, Tips, Training, Tutorials | No Comments »

ProAnimator FX Quickstart Movies

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

ProAnimator FX Quickstart Movies

ProAnimator FX video tutorials are now available!

These two tutorial movies show the basic setups of how to work within Motion and Final Cut Pro.

The Motion quick start movie will guide you as you create a Color Solid Generator and apply ProAnimator FX to the Color Solid. You’ll learn the basics of creating a 3D text, how to apply an animation preset, apply a material to the 3D text, and also seeing your animation in the Motion interface. You’ll also learn where to change your render settings to improve your workflow.

The Final Cut Pro quick start movie will show how to apply a Color Solid from the video generators and how to apply ProAnimator FX from the video filters. This introductory movie will show you the general layout of the new interface as well as where the basic controls are located. You’ll also learn how to change interfaces to improve your work flow. In addition, this movie will guide you on how to apply preset animations, object styles, material swatches, and also how to work with the animation controls and the timeline. Finally, when you are finished applying all your changes within the ProAnimator FX interface, you will see how to change rendering settings for ProAnimator FX.

After watching these two tutorial movies, you’ll be ready to create 3D animations inside of Motion and Final Cut Pro!

Posted in General, ProAnimator FX, Tips, Training, Tutorials | 2 Comments »

Introducing Making It Look Great: 4!

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Making It Look Great 4

Strap on your motion graphics black belt!

Making It Look Great 4 Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects, Zaxwerks ProAnimator and Zaxwerks 3D Flag.

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:

  • The 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

This new training DVD is available for $59. In addition, we now offer bundle deals for the Making It Look Great series!

Posted in ProAnimator, Training, Tutorials | 1 Comment »

Presenting Making It Look Great 2 and 3

Monday, March 17th, 2008

Ever wondered how the pros get their work looking so sharp? The popular and proven Making It Look Great™ video workshop series has been designed to answer that question. Throughout these in-depth DVD workshops, professional motion graphics designers demonstrate techniques essential to their daily work and give the design decisions and rationale that support them. The featured projects are demonstrated step–by–step from start to finish, giving priceless insight into what it takes to design and produce professional broadcast motion graphics.

Presenting Making It Look Great™ 2 and Making It Look Great™ 3, two brand new, full length video workshops available soon on DVD and by download.

Making It Look Great™ 2: Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects and Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro.
In this full–length video workshop, sit with freelance artist and After Effects pro 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.
• Secrets of effective project workflow.
• Pro-level modeling and texturing with Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro.
• Advanced techniques for transforming and deforming 3D 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.

Making It Look Great™ 3: Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects, Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro, Trapcode Particular and Form
In this in–depth video workshop sit side–by–side with motion graphics designer and After Effects expert Harry Frank as he guides you step–by–step using real–world techniques, tips and tricks for creating a beautiful and organic broadcast promotion.

Topics include:
• Understanding and working with consistent color palettes using Adobe Kuler.
• Advanced animation and texturing with Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro.
• Generating realistic clouds with Trapcode Particular and light emitters.
• 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.
• Addressing critical details such as type weight, tracking and kerning.
• Creating organic, flowing design elements.
• Finishing touches to add color and mood.

Both titles will be available from early April for $49.95 each.

Posted in 3D Invigorator Pro, Training, Tutorials | 4 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »