Intermediate Tutorials

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:

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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!

How to create a Tracing Text animation using the MoGraph Tracer in Cinema 4D, Part 2

In part 2 of the tutorial on using the Cinema 4D Tracer object with 3D text, I go over bringing the project in After Effects CC and adding some post-production effects. Some of these tips include how to create balloon effects on 3D text, as well as animating expressions and adding post-production motion blur.

Watch Part 1 of the video covering the Cinema 4D R16 techniques here.

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 create a Tracing Text animation using the MoGraph Tracer in Cinema 4D

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There is a lot you can do with MoGraph and MoGraph objects in Cinema 4D once you start connecting things and seeing what they do. In this Cinema 4D tutorial, I outline and experiment I set up to see how you could use the Tracer Object with 3D text.

I'll start in Cinema 4D to create the main texture animation, covering many Cinema 4D Animation Tips, and then do the post-production in After Effects in the second part of the tutorial, available here.

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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Top 5 Adobe After Effects 3D Camera Tip & Tricks

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Once you start working in 3D space with 3D layers in After Effects, getting the camera to do what you want and stop darting all over the place can be tricky. In this video, I go over my Top 5 Camera Tips for creating better camera animation in After Effects CC, including tips on camera animation as well as animating and linking Depth of Field! 

My Top 5 After Effects Camera Tips are:
• Changing the default Focal Length
• Parenting the camera to a null object
• Cutting between multiple cameras
• Using and understanding Roving Keyframes
• Setting and Linking Depth of Field

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Top 5 Adobe After Effects CC Expressions

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When you're an art person, computer programming can make you want to run away as fast as possible. Working with Expressions in After Effects can seem daunting at first, but by learning about some of the top After Effects CC Expressions, you can start working with Expressions to make your animations better and built smarter in no time!

Want to learn more about After Effects Expressions? Check out this tutorial on Using Expression Effects and animating the Wiggle Effect!

My Top 5 After Effects Expressions are:
• Wiggle(0,0)
• Time
• loopOut()
• seedRandom(0)
•Math.round()

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

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How to Fracture and Destroy 3D Buildings using the Thraussi plug-in and Dynamic Simulations in Cinema 4D

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What's the point of learning 3D software if you can't use it to implode CG buildings, right? In this Cinema 4D tutorial, I go over how to fracture 3D buildings or objects using the free plug-in Thraussi, and then how to use dynamics to have the buildings implode, knock over, or fall down. Once you have this technique mastered, JJ Abrams should be calling any minute.

This fractured object can also be brought into Element 3D and Element 3D V2 for After Effects.

Topics include creating and grouping basic polygonal shapes, fracturing 3D objects, beginner to intermediate rigid body dynamics, and using invisible collider body dynamics to create CG destruction with Cinema 4D.

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How to Texture the Caps on Text and other 3D Objects

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A great feature of Cinema 4D is the ease of adding different materials to the caps and bevels of text or extruded objects. In this video I take that idea one step further, by going over some tips to create custom selection tags for different letters, in order to totally take over your texturing tasks! I heard alliteration is cool again, right?

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Learn to Create 3D Baseball & Football Fields using the Grass Shader + Landscapes in Cinema 4D

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Adding grass onto a landscape objects in Cinema 4D can be straightforward enough using the Grow Grass feature, but what if you want to create very specific variations in the grass, like the lines and graphics painted on baseball or football fields? I had this problem come up on a project I was working on, and developed a technique to tackle this using Density Maps made in Adobe Illustrator. I was so excited when I finally got it to work, that I wanted to make a video to share how to set it up!

This Cinema 4D tutorial also video covers an introduction and overview to the grass feature of Cinema 4D.

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Sending and Linking Footage from Adobe Premiere to After Effects

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In the old days, editing and VFX were very separate processes, and the workflow was very linear. With the linking options  between Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects CC, now you can work seamlessly back and forth between editing and VFX. There are a couple different options for working between Premiere and After Effects, so in this tutorial I cover all the workflow options.

When you know the dynamic link tricks for working between Adobe Premiere Pro and After effects, the two programs interface well.

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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How to Track & Composite Matte Paintings into Footage using After Effects

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Adding in Matte Paintings and background set extensions into wide shots can be a great way to change the environment of your footage. When doing so, it is important that everything locks on for the shot to be believable. In this After Effects CC tutorial, I go over how to do just that using the 3D camera tracker, as well as compositing tips and tricks to get all of your VFX elements to blend into your footage.

Looking for more After Effects Tracking, Compositing, and Visual Effects Tutorials?

Start with Part 1, working with the After Effects 2D Tracker

Check out Part 2, Matte Painting using the 3D Camera Tracker

Don't forget Part 3, How to Track & Composite a 3D Object in Cinema 4D & After Effects

 

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How to Create an infinitely Looping 3D logo using Cinema 4D, After Effects, and Cineware

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You might see those small little network logos animating and spinning in the corner of the TV screen all the time. In this Cinema 4D Lite and After Effects CC tutorial, I go over how to get a looping 3D logo to animate seamlessly in Cinema 4D, and how to use Cineware and Time Remapping in After Effects to loop only one spin, and save on the render time. Which is good because who wants more render time?

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How to use Depth of Field, Motion Blur and 3D Camera Properties in Cinema 4D

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A great thing about working with Cinema 4D Cameras is that you can recreate realistic effects we would see in real cameras, such as Depth of Field, Motion Blur, and other camera properties. Tackling these camera properties starts with some understanding of how actual cameras function, so in this video I cover how these aspects work in physical cameras, and then outline how to create the same effects in Cinema 4D.

In this Cinema 4D Camera Tutorial, learn tips on working with real camera properties in Cinema 4D R16, such as Focal Length, Aperture, Depth of Field, and Motion Blur. Achieve great Cinema 4D camera results by combining these tips with the previous tutorial about Creating Cinematic Camera Animation in Cinema 4D.

Looking for more Tips on Cinema 4D Camera Animation?

Check out Part 1, Cinema 4D Camera Animation Tips, Tricks, and Tags

Check out Part 2 on Cinema 4D Camera Properties

Don't forget Part 3 on Cinema 4D Camera Rigs

And Watch Part 4 on Setting up a Cinema 4D MultiCam Workflow

 

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How to create Dynamic Simulations linked to 3D Cameras in Cinema 4D

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A really fun thing you can do with Cinema 4D and 3D apps is to create dynamics simulations and let things roll around and clank into each other. It can be a bit tricky to set up and get the switch right on everything, so in this tutorial I aimed to cover how to set it up on some pint glasses, and also link cameras inside of the dynamic objects, to get a unique perspective on the action!

In this Cinema 4D tutorial, learn how to set up dynamics simulations and 3D camera animation in Cinema 4D R15. This Cinema 4D Dynamics and 3D animation tutorial covers animating a 3D pint glasses using Dynamics tags and linking Cinema 4D cameras to the Dynamics simulations. In After Effects, learn about setting up tags to send over Cinema 4D information and set up Object Buffers to use for track mattes and compositing.

Be sure to check out Part 1, Model and Texture the pint glass in Cinema 4D R15

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Model a 3D Bike from scratch using Cinema 4D

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One of the best ways to learn 3D modeling in Cinema 4D is to look around at existing objects, and try to break them down and recreate them in 3D. It brings up unique challenges that you can tackle with a variety of tools. After staring at my wife's bike in our apartment a few years ago, I decided to do just that, and see if I could make a 3D bike using some fun Cinema 4D tools, and also try to block it out as quickly as possible.

In this Cinema 4D 3D Modeling tutorial, learn to model a bicycle with Cinema 4D R16 in a half hour. This video covers basics of Cinema 4D Modeling and shortcuts to rapidly build the basic the outline of a hard surface objects, as well as various Cinema 4D modeling tips and tricks.

Here is a link to download the photo of my wife's awesome bike that I used as a reference for the modeling:
http://tiny.cc/z080cx

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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