How To: Track vignettes using Final Cut Pro
In this Apple Color tutorial, Richard Harrington along with color expert Robbie Carman teaches how to use tracking to have vignettes follow a person around the screen to simulate a spotlight effect.
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How To: Put electronic makeup on your talent in After Effects
BCC Smooth Tone is an image restoration filter that smoothes out skin imperfections while maintaining image detail and contrast in areas such as hair and eyes. This video tutorial from Paul Ezzy goes over the basics of applying the filter to a clip in AE and provides a brief lesson on how to use PixelChooser to increase the filter's effectiveness.
How To: Do a 2.5D rig removal with Photoshop, After Effects
In this tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Carl Larsen shows you how to approach a 2.5D rig removal shot using Photoshop, After Effects and the Mocha AE tracker.
How To: Create a simple multi-video player in Flash using AS3
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Tony Ross demonstrates how to create a simple multi-video player in Flash using Actionscript 3. Also learn to have several videos use a single flv player.
How To: Create and work with complex 3D projects
In this episode, Aharon shares some tips for simplifying and working with 3D compositions. You will also get a look at some cool tools designed to easily distribute and arrange layers in 3D space, and that help in creating complex 3D shapes.
How To: Create custom shapes in color with Final Cut Pro
In this Apple Color tutorial Richard Harrington and guest Robbie Carman will use user defined shapes to form vinettes to perform a secondary color correction. Learn about where primary and secondary color correction really occurs in Apple Color and other tips and tricks.
How To: Use the 3-Way Color Corrector in Final Cut Pro
In this Final Cut Pro video tutorial you will learn about using the 3-way color corrector with skin tones and how the color corrector behaves when adjusting the color of two subjects in identical scenes.
How To: Get better control of emitter position in Trapcode
In this Episode, we will look at some very useful techniques for Trapcode Particular that will give you better control of emitter position in 2D and 3D. You will also learn how to capture the motion of your mouse (or stylus) to control emitter position.
How To: Output a DV video signal using Adobe Photoshop
In this Photoshop tutorial, Richard Harrington explains how to output a DV video signal directly to a SD video monitor from Adobe Photoshop using a digital video converter via firewire and video preview controls. This is a very helpful tool for making adjustments to your color correction for use in broadcast video.
How To: Design an audio waves animation with After Effects
In this two part video tutorial, Eran Stern reveals the first text trick in his series and shows how to design an audio waves animation with the After Effects Text Tool.
How To: Use the color range command in Adobe Photoshop
Some free tricks on how to use the color range command in Photoshop. Many people use the old method of utilizing the magic wand tool for selecting areas of color, the color range selection tool has more flexibility and control. Richard walks you through using this tool and shows some new features added in Photoshop CS4.
How To: Use the RG Warp Corner Pin in Adobe After Affects
In this video tutorial, Eran Stern shows you a technique to enhance your tracking and compositing results by using Mocha AE and RG Warp Corner Pin plug-in.
How To: Work with non-square pixels in Photoshop CS4
Exploring the problems associated with blending images that have square and non square pixel formats. Learn about how to fix some of the blunders of pixel aspect ratio mixing and how Photoshop CS4 is trying to help solve some of these pixel nightmares.
How To: Build an animated vehicle rig in Adobe After Affects
In this tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Carl Larsen shows you how to build an expression-based vehicle rig that automatically calculates the rotation of its wheels based on the movement of the vehicle chassis.
How To: Create a 3D RG warp shadow with Adobe After Effects
In this video tutorial, Eran Stern demonstrate the creation of 3D shadows with After Effects built-in filters and compares it to the functions of RG shadow plug-in.
How To: Creating The James Bond 007 Intro with After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Michael Park shows you how to achieve that classic introduction to all of the James Bond films using only basic After Effects plugins.
How To: Create the Droste Effect with Adobe After Effects
In this tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Carl Larsen shows you how to use the Pixel Bender Toolkit to create a recursive image set in Adobe After Effects CS4.
How To: Create a RG warp reflection with Adobe After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern will demonstrate building a reflection using After Effects built-in filters. He will also explore the RG Reflection plug-in.
How To: Do native P2 editing in Final Cut Pro with MXF4mac
Native P2 Editing in Final Cut Pro with MXF4mac. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, video editing, and media production professionals in broadcasting, motion graphics, special FX and film. Creative Cow hosts tutorials in a variety of softwares including Adobe programs (After Effects, Dreamweaver, Flash, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere), Apple programs, Autodesk, AVID, Cinema 4D, Sony Vegas, Zaxwerks, and much more.
How To: Create a bleach bypass effect in Adobe After Affects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Grant Swanson demonstrates a quick, easy and very high quality bleach bypass effect right inside of After Effects. Understand what the term refers to and how to simulate it in the digital intermediate process or on digital video, using After Effects.
How To: Create a simple morph effect with Adobe After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern will show you how to create a simple morph effect using time remapping and pixel motion.
How To: Convert a Vector Logo to a 3D Logo with Cinema4D
In this tutorial, Broadcast Designer Jason Brown will show you how to knock out a vector logo from Adobe Illustrator into a 3D logo in Maxons Cinema 4D. The tutorial also touches on basic texturing, lighting and animation.
How To: Create eye shooting laser beams with After Effects
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern will show you how to create a fiery iris animation which has laser beams shooting from a girls eyes.
How To: Create the Juno opening credits look w/ After Effects
The independent film Juno featured one of the most distinctive opening credit sequences in recent memory. It has a wonderful handmade look - which it turned out was created by hand! Whether you have seen Juno or not, Cow leader Simon Bonner shows a much easier way to create unique, handcrafted looks, without the pain.
How To: Use optical techniques with the Canon XH A1
.Improve your video production with a Canon XH A1 video camera by learning how to use optical techniques in this free production video. Use optical techniques with the Canon XH A1 - Part 1 of 11.
News: The "411" Film Production Bible Finally Hits Android Devices (For Free)
If you work in the film industry, are currently in film school, or have aspirations of being involved in the movie making process in some way, shape or form, you're probably very familiar with a certain set of books published by 411 Publishing that are commonly referred to as the "production bibles". If you live in the Los Angeles area, LA 411 is a valuable source of information when it comes to fulfilling your production needs. And if you're in New York, the NY 411 book is just as crucial fo...
News: Hello and Welcome
My name is Mike Goedecke and I am your professor for Production 476 / 690. I have been in the production and post-production field for over 20 years.
News: When Will the Web Make Hollywood Bucks Producing Video?
How much do the producers of Lonely Girl make? How much do the producers of American Idol make? How much does COPS cost to make? I decided to share what I have learned for the CES audience in Vegas.
How To: Create wet maps in Houdini 10
This tutorial looks at how to create a map of the wetness left by a particle fluid, so that you can correctly render surfaces with a wet look. It looks at rendering out a point cloud with wetness information, and creating a bespoke shader to correctly render surface using the point cloud. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by ...
How To: Use and work with ForEach SOPs in Houdini 10
This quick three-part series presents an introduction to ForEach SOPs in Houdini 10.
How To: Refine 3D trails in Houdini 10
This one-two tutorial offers advice on how to work with bespoke shaders and compositing networks in Houdini 10. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Refine 3D trails in Houdini 10 - Part 1 of 2.
How To: Use UV mapping in Houdini
This four-part series presents an introduction to some of the techniques for uv mapping in Houdini. This first part introduces the concept of UVs, and looks at UVProject as a way of adding UVs, and UVQuickShade as a way of visualising them. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, i...
How To: Render millions of particles in Houdini 10
This two-part tutorial looks at the techniques for rendering millions of particles in Houdini 10. The first part looks at using the popsolver to manipulate particles using both the standard pop nodes and dynamics forces. We use the interact pop, and random grouping of particles to build an ink like effect. We set up a smoke simulation and use the velocity field of that to advect (move) the particles. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned gra...
How To: Composite in Houdini 10
This video provides an introduction to basic compositing in Houdini. The first part looks at color and alpha planes, the use of matte shading. It also covers generator and filter compositing nodes, and the beginnings of masking. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including det...
How To: Emit smoke, fire & liquid from particles in Houdini 10
This two-part tutorial looks at the basic techniques for emitting smoke from particles.
How To: Upres smoke simulations in Houdini 10
This clip uses a smoke example to examine source variations and upres (techniques which are useful preparation for the pyrofx tools). Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Upres smoke simulations in Houdini 10 - Part 1 of 2.
How To: Create a realistic smoke effect in Houdini 10
This two-part tutorial series offers a look at the basics of smoke simulations. This first part looks at setting up a simulation, the fields involved, how to visualise them. It also looks at temperature and bouyancy as well as vortex confinement. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more informat...
How To: Instance a light to a particle in Houdini 10
This clip presents a quick look at how to instance lights to particles in Houdini. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Instance a light to a particle in Houdini 10.
How To: Create a particle-based explosion in Houdini 10
This clip presents a walkthrough of how to go about creating a particle based explosion in Houdini 10. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look.
How To: Make lighting models in Houdini with illuminance loops
This clip offers instructions on how to create your own lighting models using an illuminance loop in a VOP network. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Make lighting models in Houdini with illuminance loops.