For the past couple of months JMDesign has been tweeting on Twitter. If you would like to follow JMDesign on Twitter please do so here: JMDesign Twitter
For the past couple of months JMDesign has been tweeting on Twitter. If you would like to follow JMDesign on Twitter please do so here: JMDesign Twitter
Over the past year I have produced a few videos that needed a voice over track. I tried a few local shops to do the work for me and everything turned out great, but it took a long time to book the talent, book the studio and wait for the track to be edited and sent to me.
It wasn’t until I found Voice123 that recording VO tracks became fun again. Voice123 is a free service for the buyer that connects you with great voice talent. It only takes a few minutes to post a project, set your budget and within 24 hours you should already have a few auditions to review. Make sure to try Voice123 for your next project.
Web link: Voice123
After Effects is a great program that packs a lot of punch right out of the box. However as an experienced motion graphic designer you need more than what AE offers off the shelf. When looking to create particle, lighting and film effects it is best to go with a 3rd party plug-in to get the job done quickly and easily. Here is my short list of six powerful plug-ins that any serious After Effects designer should add to their arsenal.
1. Trapcode Particular
Trapcode Particular is one of the most talked about After Effects plug-ins of all time for good reason. Its powerful and easy to use particle system makes it the ideal choice for creating an array of effects like smoke, dust, clouds, grass, bubbles, rain, snow, debris and anything else you can think to throw at it.
More info: Trapcode Particular
2. Video Copilot Optical Flares
In 2009 Video Copilot launched the incredible After Effects plug-in Optical Flares. This affordable add-on creates stunning real life and artistic lens flares. Its ability to track 3D lights make it a truly indispensable tool and “wow” maker.
More info: Video Copilot Optical Flares
3. Magic Bullet Looks
Red Giant Software continually produces innovative plug-ins for After Effects users. Magic Bullet Looks is a toolkit for designers to add film moods and effects to their compositions. With over 100 presents and the ability to tweak your own, Red Giant Looks will not disappoint you with its overwhelming number of features.
More info: Magic Bullet Looks
4. Trapcode Shine
Trapcode Shine is an oldie but a goody. This simple plug-in can breath life into a composition by adding majestic light rays and glorious shine.
More info: Trapcode Shine
5. Trapcode Starglow
Trapcode Starglow is another classic plug-in that everyone should own. Similar to Trapcode Shine, this plug-in can add shinning twinkle and glow to your composition.
More info: Trapcode Starglow
6. Lenscare by Frischulft
Although this plug-in is the most obscure one on the list, it does not make it any less important. Lenscare is a remarkable plug-in and is in a class of its own when it comes to blurring effects. With a few simple steps this plug-in creates realistic rack focus blurs. Go check out this plug-in for yourself and get ready to fall in love.
More info: Lenscare by Frischulft
The great folks at Red Giant Software put together a useful resource for motion graphic designers called Red Giant People. Much like the now defunct Trapcode People website, Red Giant People is a place where anyone can submit their own After Effects presets. The library is already off to a good start and is a growing resource of free goodies.
JMDesign has already been getting requests from app developers to design custom motion graphics for the new iPad. If you are in need of motion graphic services for any portable device application development such as the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android or Blackberry please contact us here.
1. After Effects Scripts
2.Dan Ebbert’s Resource for AE scripting and expressions
3. Creative Cow After Effects Scripting
4. XScriptorium
5. AE Enhancers
Honorable mention
Greymachine’s 5 Favorite Expressions
1. Video Copilot Blog
2. Motionworks
3. Aetuts+
4. Grayscalegorilla
5. VisualFXtuts
6. Maltaannon
7. Graymachine
8. Amateur Media
9. AE Portal News
10. Maxafter
XBreaker is a fantastic plug-in for fracturing geometry by Nitroman. It works with primitives, nurbs objects, splines and polygons. Integrating seamlessly with mograph and modynamics, it takes just a few quick clicks to set up an entire scene. Integrating seamlessly with mograph and modynamics, it takes just a few quick clicks to set up an entire scene. (Requires Cinema4D 11.5 and Mograph)
Download: XBreaker ver. 1.71 (Put the file in maxon/library/scripts)
Nitroman’s official website: Cinema4D Plugins
Pariah Studios: XBreaker updates
Version history: XBreaker forum thread
Tutorial videos: Nitroman’s YouTube
Here is a list of tutorials that give good breakdowns on how to make grass in Cinema 4D.
Grass Tutorial Cinema 4D by 3D Tutorials
Very quick and simple way to make grass.
Hair-Force 1by Base 80
One of the best tutorials focusing on animating grass.
How to create 3D grass by Adam Woodhouse
A quick and simple way of using the Fur object to create realistic grass.
Hair engine. Grassy scene by Rob Redman
An insightful video tutorial on how to make a grassy scene.
Cinema 4D Tutorial: Grass by Tom Decker
Another simple step by step tutorial using the Fur object.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Modeling realistic grass in Cinema 4D by Matúš Laco
A complex approach to making realistic grass.
I just bought the newest After Effects plug-in by Video Copilot called Optical Flares. This powerhouse of a plug-in does way more than the out-dated Knoll Light Factory and at $124.95 what is there not to like?
