Author Archive
On target with THE BULLET
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The Bullet
Training from Andrew Kramer
Many After Effects users may be more familiar with the title "videocopilot" than his real name, Andrew Kramer. However, Andrew has been creating tutorials and has been featured on several sites, including his own -- videocopilot.net. In addition to many of the tutorials that you can find online, Andrew also has premium tutorials that you can purchase directly from his site.
These tutorials are an examination of a specific task, effect, or scene compilation which have been broken down into multiple sections all on one DVD. Similar to the style that you'd find online, the tutorials are a swf based movie player format, with chapters broken into an easy-to-read HTML overview page.
While this is primarily an after effects training DVD, "The Bullet" also includes narration about General setup rules for workflow, important tips about using proxy material, and, perhaps more importantly, instructions for using 3-D software in order to create the props -- in this case a bullet -- to complete your After Effects composition.
The training does focus on After Effects, and the processes necessary for compositing the element into the visual effects shot. However, this is also an excellent resource for getting a glimpse of the three 3-D applications he uses to accomplish making the fake bullet. In the training, Andrew goes over the steps necessary to complete the manufacturing of the 3-D element in Autodesk's 3DStudio MAX, MAXON'S CINEMA 4D, and Blender. While MAX and C4D are professional industry standards, Andrew's walkthru, showing how Blender (a free, open source application) can create a similar bullet will allow hobby filmmakers the chance to start production of 3D props.
This is postproduction training, specifically designed for the compositor, and has a very easy to follow tempo, even for beginners.
If you've been to videocopilot.net, and you've enjoyed the great free tutorials there, you'll definitely want to take your skills to the next level, by picking up the premium training DVD -- "The Bullet".
Targus screen protection for MacBooks
Posted by: | CommentsTARGUS Privacy Screen
Protect your work on your Mac
If you're using a Macbook Pro, it's a good guess that you're working on a professional job, or work that you hope will bring you some professional dollars at least. Not just to protect your logon and password information, but to shield prying eyes from a personal work, the Targus screen is a thin membrane that provides a thick barrier between your on-screen information and strangers.
If you're a screenwriter, your Mac laptop allows you to write anywhere you want. That means you could write in the comfort of your own office, living room, backyard, or as many do, at the local café or other public area. However, while writing somewhere that doesn't provide you with the intimate protection that your house might, it's important to protect work. It's not just about the words on your screen -- because not many are going to be able to lift your million-dollar concept from your Final Draft document, but your login and password that you might use to store your data, or to retrieve notes and meeting transcriptions are something that would definitely interest a thief.
The Targus security screen provides not only security, but acts as an antiglare cover when you're working indoors with heavy lighting. This makes working in your document much easier, with less stress on your eyes.
The privacy screen comes in several different sizes, ranging from the 13 inch to 17 inch screen for your Mac laptop. If you need a solution for your desktop monitor, Targus offers a 22 inch widescreen LCD version-- especially if you work with sensitive material in an open office environment (this is the type of thing that would be perfect for those bank employees who are in the middle of the Bank floor). the price for the privacy screen starts at $49.99, which is a small price to pay for the security of knowing that anyone not sitting immediately next to you will not be able to see your screen.
The privacy screen slips well into her Macbook Pro, and, if you ever want to remove it -- so that people can see what's on your screen from any angle, there is a small notch in the upper left-hand corner which makes removing the screen easy. if you want to affix it permanently, or semi-permanently, it comes with some small clear devices that will help you stick it to you or screen. And in an
You can purchase the Targus privacy screen online at their website: www.Targus.com, or check it out at a computer store to see how well this will shield your work and your private information easily, and cleanly.
Ballistic Inspiration
Posted by: | CommentsBallistic Publishing : Printed Inspiration
As the host of the Digital Media Artists \ Los Angeles, I have the opportunity to see some of the best video productions and artistic motion graphics that our industry has to offer when speakers come to our meetings each month. The latest book from Ballistic Publishing is a collection of remarkable and inspirational art - not just from Hollywood, but around the world. Alone, the book is a piece of art that you can keep on your desk to inspire you daily.
I should note, by way of a disclaimer, that ballistic publishing has been a sponsor of our meeting, offering discounts to members and more. However, the prize books that pass through my hands are always incentive for me to go out and personally purchase their latest release.
This month, Exposé 7 came to me for a book review, not a group prize -- which meant that I could actually open it and thumb through It before this month's DMALA meeting.
If you're a filmmaker and want to be inspired for what kind of matte painting, character design, or other digital potential is out there - you will find artists with amazing skills from cover to cover. (Of course, you could look at the illustrations on the pages to find inspiration for your next script)
The images in this most current release are phenomenal. With each publication, the team at Ballistic Publishing continues to challenge digital artists, and this series of images from nearly 300 different artists in 51 countries will no doubt both inspire and motivate all who opened its cover.
http://www.ballisticpublishing.com
Ballistic continues to make these books which are not just visual stimulation, a gallery of the top artists around the world, or just an amazing coffee-table art book, but the publication of the Exposé series is an invaluable reference catalog which art directors, production designers, and other digital creatives rely on.
Broken down into several categories throughout the book, you will find images that are both painted traditionally and digitally.
The subject matters range from architecture through wildlife. There are categories of science fiction, abstract design, fantasy, matte painting, storytelling, and product design to name a few. It's important to have a library of inspiration like this -- something you can take in drafting room, a pitch meeting, or just read on the patio while you're waiting for renders to finish.
Whether you're already a professional digital artist, or a student, you should visit their website: http://www.ballisticpublishing.com/ for more information, and a glimpse at some of the photos in their latest book.
For instant gratification, the book is carried in bookstores around the world. Check the locations on the Ballistic site,
NAB 09: Trapcode Particular V2 with Peder Norrby
Posted by: | CommentsI was lucky to catch Peder for a quick demo of a few features in the new Particular V2 plugin. I've known Peder for several years - - so it's just a really quick, informal demo. Just something to grab a quick video of him at NAB... most of the time there were tons of animators with full court press on the booth (see pix on ninjacrayon)
For rants, ramblings and general announcements - check out a chaotic blog in the BlogZone:
http://www.ninjacrayon.com/ or via the NINJACRAYON Twitter Posts.
NAB 09: particleIllusion coming to After Effects
Posted by: | CommentsAlan has been working on this port from particleIllusion to After Effects plugin for a long time. It's taken some time for Adobe to come up with API to keep up with all of the animatable parameters that particle Illusion has already.
For rants, ramblings and general announcements - check out a chaotic blog in the BlogZone:
http://www.ninjacrayon.com/ or via the NINJACRAYON Twitter Posts.
To find out more about the plugin, keep checking back to the wondertouch website. Also, take a look at the player to see how all of the presets look
Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.NAB 09: Deadline (Render Farm Mngr) from FranticFilms
Posted by: | CommentsFrantic Films is releasing their renderfarm management tool.
http://www.ninjacrayon.com/ or via the NINJACRAYON Twitter Posts.
NAB 09: Tiger-Technology
Posted by: | CommentsTiger-Technology at NAB 09 shows off their SAN and latest technology that allows Macs and PCs to play together nicely. Picking up extra space is even easier with their latest software.
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NAB 09 Jerzy Drozda, Jr (maltaannon) 3D Serpentine
Posted by: | CommentsMaltaannon is known by most for his participation in the After Effects forums and newsthreads, so it's no surprise to see him showing off Zaxwerks 3D Serpentine - - sweep geometry in After Effects:
I just got an update from Zax - - more good stuff going into the plugin for when it releases! I hope to have him to our DMALA meeting to show it off too. Still in beta - it's due to release sometime soon.
For rants, ramblings and general announcements - check out a chaotic blog in the BlogZone:
http://www.ninjacrayon.com/ or via the NINJACRAYON Twitter Posts.
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NAB 09 : NVIDIA GPU monster for the Mac
Posted by: | CommentsNVIDIA Muscle
Mac Adobe Users can flex their video power.
NVIDIA QUADRO 4800 for Mac
At this year's NAB, there were many new announcements from both software and hardware companies bringing new workflow and process capabilities to be broadcast professionals in attendance. Adobe offered a glimpse at some of the upcoming solutions that will be coming out for its users later this year. On the other hand, NVIDIA was there to show off products currently shipping, including their newest cards for GPU processing.
In Adobe's After Effects, many of the plug-ins and that broadcast designers have come to rely on, and many of the new processes found in CS4 rely on GPU accelerated video processing. This is where the QuadroFX 4800 series truly shines. Not only in the Mac hardware, but in the PC hardware as well.
It's been four years since I first met Jeff Brown, and he told me about the potential of the GPU. There have been many major advances in the technology since Nforce 4's SLI. The Quadro Plex monsters notwithstanding, this is one of the most exciting desktop GPU computing announcements for Mac users.
Other key features in the Quadro FX 4800 GPU for Mac include:
- Interactive Visualization of Large Models - Offers a massive 1.5GB frame buffer and memory bandwidth up to 76.8 GB/sec. to deliver high throughput for interactive visualization of large models; high-performance for real time processing of large textures and frames; and the highest quality and resolution with full-scene antialiasing (FSAA)
- High-performance Visualization - NVIDIA's CUDA parallel computing architecture for NVIDIA Quadro GPUs enables breakthrough application performance to enhance creative expression in areas such as video, animation, photography and production
- Dual Dual Link DVI and Stereo Connectors - Outfitted with a dedicated 3 pin min-din connector for stereo glasses support and up to two dual-link DVI digital connectors to drive the highest resolution digital displays available on the market.
Dual DVI allows for true stereo work without compromise
- Boot Camp Support - Access to native Quadro GPU accelerated professional Windows 3D graphics performance and features when using Apple Boot Camp.
The NVIDIA Quadro FX 4800 GPU for the Mac will be available starting in May of this year through Apple resellers, including apple.com. You'll find it listing at about $1799. It may seem steep at first, until you realize the amount of time that you will be saving when rendering all of those GPU enhanced projects. I would love to see the new Mac offered with an option to upgrade from the current NVIDIA card to the 4800, which might bring a savings of $150.
For rants, ramblings and general announcements - check out a chaotic blog in the BlogZone:
http://www.ninjacrayon.com/ or via the NINJACRAYON Twitter Posts.
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