Adobe After Effects

How to Create a 3D Extruded Logo in Cinema 4D or Cinema 4D Lite

Completely new to working in 3D using Cinema 4D, or looking to create a 3D animation using a logo? One of Cinema 4D's most powerful features is how quick and easy it can be to create a nice looking 3D logo from an existing logo. In this 5 part series, learn about getting started with Cinema 4D using Cinema 4D Lite, packaged for free with After Effects CC. In this first part we'll talk about bringing your logo from illustrator into Cinema 4D, creating the 3D geometry, and building out the 3D logo in a smart way.

Want to learn more about Cinema 4D Lite to get off the ground in 3D?
 

Learn how to Create a 3D extruded logo in Cinema 4D or Cinema 4D Lite.

Then learn how to Work with Materials and Reflectance textures in Cinema 4D.

Next learn about 3D Lighting and HDRI Sky images in Cinema 4D.

And then learn about Creating Animation, working with Keyframes, and the Cinema 4D Timeline.

Finally, learn some Fancy post-production effects like linking Optical Flares to Cinema 4D Animations.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

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How to import 3D Characters and OBJ Sequences from Cinema 4D into Element 3D V2

So you can build out custom 3D characters in Adobe Fuse, then send them to Cinema 4D, but what if you want to bring animated characters into Element 3D? This can be done by exporting an OBJ sequence out of Cinema 4D, or your preferred 3D app, and bringing it into Element 3D. While you can now import Cinema 4D animations directly into Element 3D V2, this will only bring in Position, Scale, and Rotation animations, and not keyframes on rigged skeletons. Check out the video above to learn some fun tips on bringing 3D character animations into Element 3D V2.

Want to learn more about Element 3D?
 

Learn about the Top new Features of Element 3D V2!

New to Element 3D? Start with how to create a 3D Logo with Shadows & Reflections!

Learn about how to use Cinema 4D Animations in Element 3D V2 in this video! 

And my shortcut tips and tricks for Element 3D V2 in this video!

Want to Motion Track a 3D Object using Element 3D? Learn how in this video!

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Top 5 New Features in Adobe After Effects CC 2015 - December Updates

One thing that has changed since Adobe has switched to a subscription business model in Creative Cloud is that we no longer have to wait 2 years for app updates. This is the second update to After Effects CC this year, and the December 2015 updates to AE bring a bunch of new features, as well as some tweaks to previously updated features. Check out the video above to learn about my Top 5 Updates to After Effects CC 2015.

Want to check out more updates to After Effects CC 2015? Check out updates that came earlier in the year in this video.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Using Type Animators to Create Kinetic Typography Animations in After Effects CC

Animating a bunch of letters one letter at a time? No way! In After Effects CC, you can use type animators to animate properties like position, rotation, opacity, and more, and then animate only the offset to run the animation through a full word. This technique can also be applied to words, lines, or paragraphs,

Using type animators is a great way to create create kinetic typography animations quickly and easily. The great part about this workflow is that you can continue to add additional properties to the type animator, and you only have to worry about the one set of keyframes! Type animators can also be used in 3D space, where you can animate X,Y, and Z position or rotation, so the possibilities are endless! 

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

How to create a 3D logo with Realistic Shadows & Reflections in Element 3D V2

With Element 3D Version 2, we finally get shadows and reflections! There are some different options for calculating shadows and reflections, so I put together this video to talk about how to create a 3D logo in Element 3D V2, and how the new shadow and reflection render settings can be used to push the quality of the render much further! How to create a logo in 3D using After Effects is always a big question I get, and using Element 3D is a great option for speed and quick rendering!

To create the logo, we'll start with bringing the vector logo into After Effects from Adobe Illustrator. We'll then get into how to extrude, texture, light, and render the logo in Element 3D, now with shadows and reflections!

Learn about the Top new Features of Element 3D V2!

Learn about how to use Cinema 4D Animations in Element 3D V2 in this video! 

And my shortcut tips and tricks for Element 3D V2 in this video!

Want to Motion Track a 3D Object using Element 3D? Learn how in this video!
 

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Element 3D V2.2 Updates and New Features

It is June 2015 and there were just some minor updates released for Element 3D V2, the After Effects plug-in by Video CoPilot. This update brings the software to Version 2.2. These updates add some minor tweaks and features that are little things here and there in the UI and render settings, but some very useful things that'll help workflow in Element 3D. While there are a bunch of updates, these are my Top 5 updates for Element 3D V2.2

My Top 5 updates are:
• OBJ and E3D format Export
• Saving Group Folders
• Group Shadows & Reflections
• The Symmetry Function
• Lots of additional new switches!

New to Element 3D? 

Start with how to create a 3D Logo with Shadows & Reflections!

Learn about the Top new Features of Element 3D V2!

Learn about how to use Cinema 4D Animations in Element 3D V2 in this video! 

And my shortcut tips and tricks for Element 3D V2 in this video!

Want to Motion Track a 3D Object using Element 3D? Learn how in this video!

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Top 5 Updates to Adobe After Effects CC 2015

Time for some After Effects Creative Cloud Updates! Since the release of Creative Cloud as a subscription software, Adobe has been updating all of their apps more frequently with lots of new features, and the Summer 2015 update to After Effects comes with some key new features. In this video I'll cover my Top 5 updates to After Effects CC 2015.

My Top 5 Updates are:
• Uninterrupted Preview
• Face Tracking
• Expression Information
• UI Updates and the new Blue Interface
• Improved Overall Performance

Alert, alert! Since this video there have been some additional updates to After Effects. Be sure to check them out in this video for the December 2015 Updates.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Create a Flat Design Title sequence using Cinema 4D or Cinema 4D Lite

For this video, I wanted to go over how to recreate the flat design technique using Cinema 4D or Cinema 4D Lite inside of After Effects CC. This was also a good opportunity to show off the new Cogwheel object in Cinema 4D, that was added in Cinema 4D R16.

Ever since the Apple went flat with the UI design of the iPhone, flatter, minimal colors and design have been more and more popular. This was very apparent during the end credits of Captain America: Winter Soldier. I love this style of animation, where it looks like everything is flat, 2-dimensional pieces, with sudden camera movement revealing that the objects are actually 3D. Check out the reference at the video below to see the inspiration for this tutorial.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Captain America: Winter Solider End Credits

How to Recreate the "Mad Max: Fury Road" Title Sequence in After Effects

I think the design and animation for the titles using to promote Mad Max: Fury Road fit perfectly with the grittiness and edge of the film. The textures work nicely, and there is some really nice details with the blood particles animating inside the letters as the camera pulls closer. For this video, I wanted to see how closely I could recreate it using After Effects, and some Trapcode Particular Tricks for the blood and dust animating inside the letters.

This also includes working in Adobe After Effects CC 2015, and creating 3D particle effects to recreate the Mad Max Title.

Want to get the project file for this tutorial? You can purchase it in the online store for just a couple dollars!

Want a quick idea of what this tutorial is all about? Check out a time lapse video of this project:

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

How to recreate the Avengers Title Animation using After Effects & Element 3D, Part 2

To recreate the Avengers Title animation in After Effects, it really took some thought on how to pull it off and get everything working how it is in the real thing. In part 2 of my series on how to recreate it in After Effects CC using Element 3D, I get into some of the advanced techniques, such as using 3D stroke to reveal the 3D text, setting up the Trapcode Particular particle simulation, and more.

Want to get the project file for this tutorial? You can purchase it in the online store for just a couple dollars!

In Part 1 of the Avengers Age of Ultron Tutorial, I went over how to create the 3D elements using Element 3D, animating the logo, and adding Optical Flares to create the lens flares. Watch part 1 here.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

How to recreate the Avengers Title Animation using After Effects & Element 3D

The Avengers title animation used in the film has it all: Optical Flares, 3D letters, lines animating in, lights, cameras, particles, and more. After seeing it in ads and trailers, I wanted to take a crack at trying to recreate it in After Effects using all the tools in the toolbox. To get all the details, I used Element 3D, 3D stroke, Trapcode Particular, Optical Flares, and more After Effects CC techniques. Check out part 1 in the video above to learn about getting started on the animation.

Want to get the project file for this tutorial? You can purchase it in the online store for just a couple dollars!

Be sure to check out Part 2 of the Avengers Title Recreation Series here.

Want a quick idea of what this After Effects tutorial is all about? Check out the time lapse for this one:
 

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Recreate the "Call of Duty: Black Ops III" Logo in After Effects, Part 2

In Part 2 of my two-part tutorial on how to recreate the Call of Duty: Black Ops III logo in After Effects CC, I get into the fine details of how to use Trapcode Particular to create the fiery effect. Usually you'd thing of using Trapcode Particular to have particles bouncing all of the place, but by adjusting a couple switches, you can have the stick to a moving animation, and have some subtle movement that will glow like fire. Check it out in the video to learn how to do it!

Want to get the project file for this tutorial? You can purchase it in the online store for just a couple dollars!

Be sure to check out Part 1 where we'll talk about creating the base Logo Animation.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Learn to Recreate the "Call of Duty: Black Ops III" Logo in After Effects using Trapcode Particular

When I first saw the Call of Duty: Black Ops III logo in a teaser trailer, I was a big fan of what was done for the logo animation. It has some very subtle animation, and yet there is a lot of detail in there. I wanted to see how closely I could recreate it using After Effects CC, and some Trapcode Particular techniques. To get the job done I also developed some techniques using track mattes in After Effects. Check out the video to see how it is done!

In part 1 of this tutorial, learn to create the Black Ops 3 logo in After Effects and Adobe Illustrator.

Want to get the project file for this tutorial? You can purchase it in the online store for just a couple dollars!

In this 2 part After Effects tutorial, we'll use Trapcode Particular to create the fire effects for the Black Ops 3 Logo. Be sure to check out Part 2 at this video!

Get Trapcode Particular through my Amazon Affiliate link here:
http://amzn.to/1L20sE3

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

How to use Expression Effects in After Effects to create Number Counters, control a Wiggle, and MORE!

Whenever I first teach about expressions like the Wiggle Expression in Adobe After Effects, one of the first questions I always seem to get is "ok that's great, but how the hell do you shut it off?" Animating the strength of a wiggle expression can be done using expression effects, and some expression-parenting trickery. This technique can also be used to create number counts in After Effects, and more.

In this After Effects Expressions tutorial, learn to use expression effects such as slider controls to create counters, and automate other animations. Also included is using other expressions with expression control effects, such as the wiggle expression, time expression, rounding, and random seed expressions.

Want to learn the basics of After Effects Expressions? Check out my Top 5 Expressions of Adobe After Effects.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Using the Composite Background Tag in Cinema 4D to cast realistic shadows on top of Footage

When you're compositing 3D models into live action footage or photos using Cinema 4D, getting the shadows to cast and feel realistic can be one of the trickiest parts. Luckily Cinema 4D has the "Composite Background Tag" to do just that. In this video I go over how to get it set up using a still photo with a ground and wall, and casting the shadows from 3D objects onto the physical surfaces.

This Cinema 4D VFX & Compositing tutorial also covers overall Cinema 4D R16 texturing and modeling tips and tricks.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Looking for the next Tutorial to watch?

Check out the Top 5 Features of Element 3D V2 for After Effects at this video!

Learn about the Top 5 new features of Cinema 4D R17 at this video!

Learn the Top 5 After Effects Expressions in this video!

Learn how to recreate the Agengers: Age of Ultron 3D logo in this video!

To check out new features added to Cinema 4D R16, check out this video!

 

How to add post-production Motion Blur to 3D Renders in After Effects

When you shoot footage with a camera, you naturally get motion blur when objects are moving past the camera quickly. When you are working in 3D, however, this doesn't happen by default, which can make 3D animations feel like they are missing something. In this video I cover different options for getting that motion blur into Cinema 4D renders.

This can be done in a number of ways: Using the physical render properties in Cinema 4D, as well as adding post-production motion blur in After Effects using Pixel Motion Blur and Really Smart Motion Blur. This post production motion blur technique can also be applied to other 3D animation software options such as Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

How to Motion Track & Composite 3D Models into live action footage using Element 3D V2

There are many ways to composite 3D objects into live action footage, and with the updates to Version 2 of Element 3D, using E3D is a great option. In this video, I cover the workflow for motion tracking a scene with camera movement using the AE Camera Tracker, and then how to composite a 3D model into the shot using Element 3D V2.

This is done by using the 3D camera tracker in After Effects CC, adding objects using Element 3D V2, color correcting the objects and shot, and linking Optical Flares into the scene.

New to Element 3D? 

Start with how to create a 3D Logo with Shadows & Reflections!

Learn about the Top new Features of Element 3D V2!

Learn about how to use Cinema 4D Animations in Element 3D V2 in this video! 

And my shortcut tips and tricks for Element 3D V2 in this video!

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Shortcuts and Interface Tips for Element 3D V2

How do you figure out all the shortcuts for a new app? Press all the buttons and see what happens! In this Element 3D V2 video, I go over all the new shortcuts, UI updates, and workflow tips for Version 2 of the VideoCopilot After Effects plug-in to help you work quicker and smarter.

New to Element 3D? 

Start with how to create a 3D Logo with Shadows & Reflections!

Learn about the Top new Features of Element 3D V2!

Learn about how to use Cinema 4D Animations in Element 3D V2 in this video! 

Want to Motion Track a 3D Object using Element 3D? Learn how in this video!

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

How to import Cinema 4D Animations into Element 3D V2 for After Effects

A great new feature of Element 3D V2 is the ability to directly important Cinema 4D animations into Element 3D, without the need the save out a separate OBJ sequence. In this video, I go over the process of bringing Cinema 4D Position, Scale, or Rotation animations into Element 3D, as well as talk about the animation possibilities for this process by using a particle replicator and animation engine.

To set up the final shot in After Effects CC, I also cover working with After Effects camera properties and settings, as well as final render settings for Element 3D Version 2.

New to Element 3D? 

Start with how to create a 3D Logo with Shadows & Reflections!

Learn about the Top new Features of Element 3D V2!

And my shortcut tips and tricks for Element 3D V2 in this video!

Want to Motion Track a 3D Object using Element 3D? Learn how in this video!

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Top 5 New Features for Element 3D V2

Version 2 of Element 3D for After Effects is a HUGE update packed with tons of new features, including the long-desired shadows and reflections. Version 2 of the Video Copilot 3D plug-in is basically a new software package compared to V1, so I put together this video to outline the updates, differences from V1 to V2, and some of my top new features.

My top new features include:
• updated Element 3D UI
• Shadows and Reflections
• Sub-Object Aux Channel Animation
• Backlight lighting pack
• Deformers

New to Element 3D? Start with how to create a 3D Logo with Shadows & Reflections!

Learn about how to use Cinema 4D Animations in Element 3D V2 in this video! 

And my shortcut tips and tricks for Element 3D V2 in this video!

Want to Motion Track a 3D Object using Element 3D? Learn how in this video!

Like this tutorial? Consider becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/SeanFrangella to get additional benefits such as project files and more! 

To get weekly Motion Graphics, VFX, and 3D animation tutorials be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube!

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