Category Archives: Tutorials
Chrome Text
This is a quick breakdown of my recipe for Chrome Text in After Effects. I’m using Layer Styles with a Curves adjustment layered with a texture to create the final effect.
I forgot to mention it in the video, but the Texture that I add at the end of the breakdown is set to the Soft Light Blend Mode to achieve the final effect.
Binary Tutorial, pt 5
In this, the final segment of the Binary Tutorial series, we will take a look at layer maps in Form and how they animate the binary text. We’ll also take a look at some of the finishing touches that went into the final animation, and we’ll even take a quick look at the toComp expression and how it can be used to position 2D layers in 3D space.
Binary Tutorial, pt 4
In part 4 of this After Effects tutorial series, we are going to create the binary particles and place them in 3D space using Particular.
Binary Tutorial, pt3
This is part 3 of my After Effects tutorial series on how to create the Binary Tunnel as seen in my Portfolio. In this installment, we’re going to use the Circle and Fractal Noise effects to create a custom Luma Matte that will be used to create the dissolve between the computer screen and the energy tunnel that leads us into the binary universe.
Binary Tutorial, pt 2
This is part 2 of this After Effects tutorial for the “Binary” animation piece that I created a while back. In this segment of the tutorial, I’ll show you how to create the tunnel of light rays that the camera flies through.
Binary Tutorial, pt 1
Last week I said I would post this tutorial soon. Apparently soon is 1 week later in my world–unless you’re a client, of course.
In this After Effects tutorial, we’ll take a look at some very simple masking and screen replacement. Then we’ll composite our 2D layers in 3D space and look a couple of ways to add a light wrap and shadows to our composite to help blend the elements a bit better. Finally, we’ll use a simple expression to control camera depth of field in our shot.
Highway 49 Title Card
In this quick effects breakdown I go over the steps and techniques used to create the Highway 49 Productions title card.
Using Blend Modes
Blend modes in After Effects are powerful and often times overlooked. In this quick breakdown, I demonstrate how different blend modes, luma mattes, and Trapcode Shine can be used to create a morphing, light burst effect.
I use the Overlay and Soft Light blend modes frequently in my work. I mention it briefly in the breakdown, but the Overlay blend mode is essentially a combination of the Add and Multiply blend modes–in other words, Overlay adds in the highlights of the overlaid layer and multiplies the dark tones while leaving the middle tones untouched. This generally creates a high contrast effect that I personally love. If Overlay is too intense, then the Soft Light blend mode can be used. It works the same way as the Overlay mode, but at half the strength.
Meteor Composite Breakdown
In this quick effect breakdown, I’ll take a look at how the “Meteor Reverse Shot” was constructed and composited. (Please note that I forgot to mention that the camera shake is created by using wiggle expressions for position and rotation on the Null Object which is attached the camera.)
You can click on the HD button and the Full Screen button in the video player to watch the video in full HD.
Smokey Image Reveal, Part 2
In this segment, we’ll turn the particle system into smoke and render out the final effect for use as a Luma Matte.
You can click on the Full Screen button in the video player to watch the video in full HD.