Motion Graphics 2?

Since I'm not registered for motion graphics 2 this upcoming semester, anyone interested in continuing the page can email me or leave a comment.

EDIT: http://pudd3141.blogspot.com/

Final videos

Embedded

BoostUp.org PSA from Steve Lucin on Vimeo.

Cigarette Man from shu okada on Vimeo.

If you want your midterms posted as well let me know in the comments.

Final

Data burned to a dvd
+ Web version
+ Posted on the internets

Week 13 [4/28/09]

Review
Animating them at the same time (other than Expressions).
- Adjustment Layers
- Parenting
- Pre-compose

Animation > Add Expressions Alt+Shift+=
Expressions (Default spatial interpolation > linear)
Affect individual parameters (Scale / Position / Rotation) to another parameters.
Option / Alt + Click stop watch

Drag & Connect to make the parameters on each object change simultaneously (can also link to different values or go into the codes (x, y) and link to values).

Coding Example
temp = thisComp.layer("Medium Magenta Solid 1").transform.scale[0];
[temp, temp] <-Original temp = thisComp.layer("Medium Magenta Solid 1").transform.scale[0]; [temp, temp+50] <-Change the y value


Simultaneously rotate etc.


The expression value does not have to be the same (IE: Link color to rotation so the color changes according to the rotation).

Effects > Expression control > Slider control
for more controls

Animation > Keyframe assistant > Convert Audio to Keyframes (to change audio to get the values).

Make sure to use .wav file.

2 more weeks to work on final.

Week 10 [4/7/09]

Final Project has to be on:
Gay Rights
Gay Marriage
Environmental Issues (Why you shouldn't use plastic bag)
Sustainable Agriculture

A current cause

HW: Look @ Different types of work, find good examples.
Research + 3 Style frames + Storyboard + Different approach to an otherwise normal subject.

Week 8 [3/24/09]

Vinette
Make a circle > go to Modes / change the Opacity
Lighting
Solid > Effects > Fractal Noise > Change type / other settings > Track matted (Luma) with a layer (Solid - Color of the light) for lighting effect.



New > Light > (Adjust Cone Angle option for lighting range)




3D + Lighting + Camera


Effects > Particle Generator (Snow) > Trapcode


Check the title safe
Homework: Midterm

Week 7 [3/10/09]

(!)Tristate College of Acupuncture
*Personal notes on my work don't follow...
- Try the plugins called "Shatter"
- Should start with black and ends with a black to go with the haiku
- Transition after cut 1

Puppet Tool
Start @ 0*
Effects > Distort > Puppet

Use puppet pin tool to manipulate

Then use arrow tool to manipulate

Online tutorial
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/885847/puppet_tool_in_adobe_after_effects_cs3/

Homework: 3/24 - work in progress
3/30 - due date

Week 6 [3/1/09]

Notes
Camera + 3D Objects Review
Offset = distance between parent object + object.
Object set in space > Position [0.00.**] [Highlighted area]

Default Spatial Interpolation to Linear (File > Preferences)
Checked - modifiable handles
Not checked - cannot be modified
Layers can be modified on a single layer basis.
Option + Cmd / Ctrl + Alt = modified the handles

Photoshop > Separate image into foreground and background [using quickmask to modify the duplicated original images]

Import as composition


Camera 35mm attached to null object with 3D layer enabled*
Zooming in & out etc.
Null can be attached to another null to another null to another null to another null but there can only be one parent.

Effects (Use with Adjustment Layer)
Fast Blur > When zooming in so the layers are blurred instead of staying sharp.
The Wiggler + The Smoother

Homework: Haiku, Style Frames, Storyboard
Midterm: Feeling, Mood, Audio, Vibe, HAS TO use 3D space

Week 5 [2/24/09]

Saving alternate version of video files.
Keep uncompressed version
Quicktime Pro
> file > export > movie to quicktime movie > H.264 > set current frame
>[Quality > best]
>[Unchecked frame rendering]
>[Sound Setting > 44.100 > Linear PCM > [Quality > best] [Sample Size > 16]]
In After Effects
> Lossless > Format > *Change Animation > H.264

Create a folder
Compressed
--->Date
------>Saved File

Paint as a Matte
Always PreComp Font* or brush tool won't work
Paint Tab > Duration > Write On

Double click to layer to get on a layer tab to edit

Duplicate layer > use paint as a mask
> Paint on Transparent > On (On f matte layer)
> Remove Paint effect on duplicated Layer (F Comp 1 layer)
> Set Track Matte on (original)

Can be used with Solids as well
> Paint on Transparent > On (On a matte layer)
> Remove Paint effect on duplicated Layer (on the original)
> Set Track Matte on (original)

Play with

Paint Menu options

Layer > New > Adjustment Layer
New Layer that is waiting to be effected by effects for the Layer under it


Effects
>Mesh Warp

Layer parenting
The objects getting parented moves with the Parent layer


Null Object (Invisible) are good object to be parented with (check Parent tab bottom left)


3D
X-axis horizontal > rotates up down over the X-axis
Y-axis vertical > rotates left and right over the Y-axis
Z-axis foreward > 360 normal circular rotation

Toggle 3D Layer on

Options:
Y Rotation
X Rotation
Z Rotation
Use Active Camera + 2 views

Use camera


Use null object as a camera mover




Misc.
Toggle Hold keyframe > Hold the keyframe in the same position


Homework: Visit 3 objects use a camera parented with a null object
Japanese Haiku / 3 style frames / storyboard

Week 4 [2/17/09]

Notes
Project 1 review
Sounds = Render > Lossless link > Audio Output checked
Useful links
http://logos.ru
http://www.brandsoftheworld.com

Homework:
Midterm - will be based on a haiku -> animate haiku with graphics
3 different style frames (single frame) digitally done -> storyboard it (3 frames)-> digitally saved

Bemonte's
Make fun of hipsters in Williamsburg
Pick a neighborhood reseaerch demographics

Read Carl Jung archetypes

Week 3 [2/10/09]

Notes
Continuously rasterized - objects that increase/decrease in size

Don't use with: photos

Masks
Subtract
Add

How to change font colors:
Effects > Color Balance
Effects > Color Correction
Duplicate Layer > dissolve 1 / show 1
Effects > Channel > Blend
Layer > Color Overlay

Composition with blank BG
Render > Lossless > Alpha = makes the compositon without any BG + can be put over other composition

Audio
Use .aif or .wav
iTunes > Advanced menu > convert mp3

In AE * key on numpad sets layer marker
Go edit the audio elsewhere.

Import .PSD and .AI
Set as RGB
.psd do not flatten > save as .psd / or layered .tif
Import them as Layers + alpha channel

.ai > save as .ai

File > Import > elements > orig



*Import as composition
*Continuously rasterize



Track Mattes
Use alpha information to cut out stuff
Set the text in font
Track matte option is @ bottom left

BG behind with the track matte set as > Alpha
Animate the BG etc.

Pre-compose after finished to resize etc.

Animation Curve
Modified the timing
(P = position)


Homework: Project 1 [Vibe] - choose a young hip brand or company and create goal is to create and project a mood. 5 imgs/photos/scans prep them in photoshop/illustrator and animate them
Masks and pre-comps needs to be used. 15-30 seconds.

Week 2 [2/3/09]

Folder
orig = original of outside elements
prep = modified of originals

Play
> Ctrl/Apple + f = play @ full screen
> Ctrl/Apple + l = loop

Effects & Presets

Keyframes can be copy and paste

When testing use preview in real time

Change composition settings
> Ctrl/Apple + K
> Modify the length
> Alt + ] = trim to the end
> Alt + [ = trim to the beginning

Layers animation can be moved on the timeline

> Shift + 1 to 0 on keyboard marks timeline
> Alt/Option + Drag - takes all the keyframe
> Shift + select = includes in selection

Caps lock while rendering - stop the previewing process and speeds up the render.

> Import as a composition

> Composition > BG color > Default = 0 black

> Mask path - change the shapes of the mask while animating.

> Ctrl/Apple + R = Ruler

> Motion path can be fixed using the pen tool

Motion Sketch

> Mask > Mask Feather option

Enable continuously rasterized for solids / masks


Enable Title Safe / Action Safe - to be shown on lower resolution screen / tv
Enable Grid



Masking
Separating each letter
> Cut out each letter with (rectangle)mask
Ctrl/Apple + D = Duplicate
> Duplicate Layers
> Hit M for Mask
> Shift + left / right / up / down = to move the mask

Layer
> Shift + Ctrl/Apple + C = Layer > pre-compose [The layers have to be next to each other]
- Combined the layers as one video - animation within an animation
- Put into a separate folder for organization

> Mask Path to animate the mask that enables the letter to be seen



> Multiple masks can be used


*Use Pan-behind tool to move an anchor point



Homework: Text revealed by masks (stroke + no wipe) then move out of the screen / 4 letter word has to include 1 rounded / curved letter

Week 1 [1/27/09]

Resources
Motion Grapher
FX PHD
Learning @ Your Own Pace

Required reading
Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects, Fourth Edition: Essential and Advanced Techniques by Trish and Chris Meyer

Folder organization
prin_motiongraphics
-->lesson_01
---->elems
------>orig
------>prepped
---->ƒonts ≈
---->renders
------>date[mo-day-yr]

PS: option + f = ƒ
---------------------------------------------------
After Effects > File > Preferences
General > Default Spatial Interpolation To Linear
Display > All Keyframes-checked
User Interface Colors > Cycle Mask Colors-checked



Composition
Ctrl/Apple + N / Composition > New Composition
Composition Setting
NTSC D1 = 4:3 ratio
720 x 486
Pixel aspect ratio = D1 NTSC (0.9)
1 second = 30 frames (29.97 fps)
0;00;00;00
Hours;Minutes;Seconds;Frames *(30 frames = 1 second)*



Timeline
Hot keys
Pg Dn - up 1 frame
Pg Up - down 1 frame
Shift + Pg Dn - up 10 frames
Shift + Pg Up - down 10 frames
Home - back to 0

Layer
Layer > New > Solid (Apple + Y)
> Make the same with comp size / pick any color
> Eye tool / Solo / Lock

Toggle Switches / Modes
> Overlay etc.

Transform
> Click stop watch to enable animation
*If stop watch is toggle again then all animation disappears.
N = End
B = Beginning
0 (Numpad) = Enable real-time viewing
> Create new layer > Shape > Shape becomes the layer
> Motion blurs > animates more smoothly - edges becomes blurry

Tools
> Rotation tool
> Pan behind Tool

Composition > Make Movie [Ctrl/Apple + M]

Enter = RENAME

Homework: 5 layers 5 seconds