Happy Thanksgiving! 82 New Tutorials!

On 11.27.09, In Freebies, Roundups, by Topher

I know its been a while since I did one of these, and yeah… way overdue, but hey! I’ve been pretty damn busy myself! With the Christmas season approaching, Black Friday today, and working like 3 jobs at once… you’re lucky to be getting one of these! I mean… sorry I got a little carried away there… Happy Thanksgiving, and early Merry Christmas, enjoy my gift to you! We’re still friends right?

Part 1 – • Add Rain & Atmosphere then build a Lightning Bolt
• Use Action Essentials 2 and make Sam explode

Part 2 – • Animate a person exploding from a lightning blast
• Composite footage elements from Action Essentials 2

• Download and use our free reflection Plug-in
• Customize the look of the reflection in 3D space LINK HERE

Learn how to use Spline Wrap and Sketch and Toon to create flowing drop shapes. This is actually an old tutorial that held off on publishing until this job was well in the can. LINK HERE

The long awaited follow up to my old “Grunge Tutorial”. Learn how to use multiple nulls and parenting to simplify an otherwise complex camera move. Then use Particular and some additional effects to dress up the scene. LINK HERE

Download the project here

This is a tutorial showing some trick I’ve been using lately, creating an edge glow effect on 3D surfaces. I first used this on some Cinema 4D renders on the TV Land spot here: graymachine.com/2009/10/tv-land-prime-feels-good/ and really liked the effect.

In the example here, I am using 3D Invigorator, something more people are probably familiar with.

For more info, check out the Video Rock library LINK HERE

Learn how to use Fractal Noise to create a textured fade on a layer in After Effects. Then add some more effects and elements to finish up the title effect. LINK HERE

I felt like it was time to take a break from the nice workflow tips and simple techniques today, and make something that looks cinematic and cool looking. What we are going to do is use only one effect, Simple Choker, to create a write-on effect like you would see words appearing on a misty window or appearing from nothingness. (more…)

I always like the look of that text treatment that you see on titles where it looks as though you drew it by hand like in the old days, except you have a few details off, or the lines just don’t match up correctly, so you get that jitter when it plays at normal speed. What we are going to do is replicate that effect with just a few steps and the liquify effect. (more…)

I am always trying to improve my work flow, make things more organized in my comps, and overall work faster and work smarter. There are so many features to After Effects that people sometimes overlook or forget about, that can save you ten seconds here and a minute there, that when you add that all up, it tends to be a lot of time you are wasting when you could just use some simple shortcuts. Things we will be exploring today include: Layer > Time functions (Time Remapping, Time Reverse Layer, Freeze Frame techniques), Layer > Transform functions (Fit To Comp, Width & Height), and the Crop Comp To Region of Interest technique to eliminate empty alpha space on layers. (more…)

I think at some point everybody has enjoyed trying to point out shapes of animals or other random things while looking up at the clouds. Well today you get to decide what that cloud shape will be! Without using any 3rd Party Plug-ins, I’m going to show you guys a simple way create clouds from shapes, text, a logo… anything you want! In this tutorial the main focus will be on track mattes and working with masks. Continue Reading

There are many ways to make yourself look cool like rescuing babies, planting trees, or even hiring someone with consistently bad breath to hang out with you so you become the social favorite by comparison… it does work. But I think the comic book super hero method ain’t too bad either and so today you’ll learn some helpful workflow tips integrating Photoshop along with how to take your footage and give it that comic book style. Continue Reading

I came across and this short film and it reminded me of so many friends’ first video projects… except done really well. I asked David to show the basic techniques he used to create this effect driven action sequence. He’ll show some Time Remapping, Distortion, and Color Correction tips that could even save you from running into yourself in an old building… Continue Reading

When working on VFX, you can often measure your success by how invisible you are. If the audience doesn’t know there was an effect created, then you did a good job. In this tutorial I will show you all how to make turn a plain dolly shot into a dynamic room with light rays and a sky replacement. Continue Reading

We’ve all seen the standard disappearing effect from a camera that sits on a tripod and doesn’t move. In this tutorial you’ll learn how to create a dynamic disappearing effect from a moving camera shot. Our camera will pan with the actor as he runs, jumps, disappears, and reappears. The actual disappearance also includes a dynamic dissolve and warp effect. And the best part is, no third party plug-ins are required. Continue Reading

In this tutorial, Carlos will teach us how to create extruding text exploding out of a box using C4D. We’ll then bring it into After Effects to add more particles and a background. This is excellent effect to go through if you’ve been wanting to try a 3d program. Continue Reading

For those looking for something a little more advanced and useful. Here it is! Momcilo takes us step by step into Creating Your Own Custom Effects. You don’t have to wait for “somebody to come out with it…” Now YOU can! Continue Reading

One great tool used to “Have it Your Way” is Custom Effects. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Custom Effects you can check out this article. Momcilo is going to walk us through the basics of creating your very own Vignette Custom Effect. Enjoy! Continue Reading

The Distributor is a free custom effect that randomly places selected layers throughout 3D space. With its vast number of settings you can control not only the range of the distribution, but also rotation, opacity and much more. Overall the Distributor will help save time while overcoming limitations of various plugins. Continue Reading

If you need a great video intro and have less then 24 hours to deliver, then you’re in luck! We’re going to be looking at Jorrit’s Clockworks Custom Effect and working through how to make your own intense show opener using it. You can hang up with CTU, everything you need can be found below! Continue Reading

If you have a box full of old mini DV tapes in your closet that you’ve been meaning to go though, now might be the time! With this helpful CE you can convert Line-Laden footage into Pixel Perfection in no time. Download the Free Custom Effect and follow along! Continue Reading

Creating convincing product visualizations can sometimes be a daunting task, due to the high level of detail and fidelity the artist must achieve in order to make it believable. In this multi-part, intermediate to advanced level tutorial, you will learn the many techniques needed to model a Microsoft Zune HD. Setting up your workspace for your reference images and using them as a guide, modeling complex shapes from boxes, and polygon pushing will all be covered, and can be adapted to virtually any 3D package. Day 1 Day 2

Creating a 3d character that is equipped to be animated is one of the most challenging things you can do in CG, and to make matters worse, it has always been equally challenging to find any comprehensive tutorials on the entire workflow. Well not any more! In this 7 video long, intermediate to advanced level tutorial series, professional Blender artist, Karan Shah, will walk you through the complete creation process of a ready to animate video game character. From modeling, to UVs and texturing, to adding the final mesh topology for deformation, this series is a must see for any Blender character artist! Day 1, or Day 2 or Day 3
In this 2 hour long beginner level tutorial, we will explore in detail the entire process of building a high-poly roof hatch in 3ds Max. We will discuss the modeling process in depth, including a variety of different poly modeling tools and techniques. We will also cover some of the more important theoretical aspects of high poly modeling, such as the importance of using support edges when working with subdivision, and also the use of proper topology when cutting holes into subdivided surfaces while maintaining a quad based mesh. Continue Reading

In this two part video tutorial, you will learn how to model, texture and render an iPod Nano 1st Gen in Modo 401. The techniques used here will be strictly poly modeling, and can therefore be applied to other 3D packages as well. The focus will be on the modeling and the texturing aspect, while the rendering process will be fairly simple in comparison to professional level renders. Day 1 Day 2

In this video tutorial by professional 3ds Max artist Laurens Corijn, you will learn the ins and outs of using splines to easily create extremely complex geometry in 3ds Max. Over 5 different methods are explored, with examples on how you can apply these techniques to your own projects too. Even if you’re an experienced user, you won’t want to miss out on this, as some of these methods are not very well known! Continue Reading

Dynamics simulations can be a powerful tool when trying to generate realistic looking effects that would be very difficult to achieve manually. In this tutorial you will learn how to use nDynamics’ passive colliders and ncloth objects, in conjunction with fields like air and gravity, to easily simulate realistic dynamic objects such as a windy flag or a water container. Continue Reading

3d camera matching is simultaneously one of the most widely used and most elusive to learn CG techniques in both the film and advertising industries today. In this video tutorial, we will discuss a comprehensive method for tracking video footage, and eventually exporting it for use in your 3d package of choice. Continue Reading

In this multi-part, hard surface modeling, texturing, and rendering tutorial, you will learn how to quickly create a realistic looking Nokia 5800. The techniques shown in this tutorial can easily be applied to other 3d applications, and the methods of making the phone itself are fast, and very efficient. Though the resulting mesh will not be perfect, the final render will still look great, thus the goal of this tutorial is not to teach you how to make a perfect mesh, but to teach you a trick or two about fast and efficient modeling. Day 1 Day 2

In this in-depth, 86 step tutorial, you will learn how to create a stylish liquid looking logo using Next Limit’s Realflow. Using Cinema 4D as the main 3D package, you will learn how to integrate Illustrator and After Effects to efficiently design, simulate, export, and render your final animation. Continue Reading

In this multi-part, video tutorial about Blender’s Hair Particles System, we will learn some very useful options to use when trying to create cool or convincing hair effects. We will also add colour to the hair, light the scene, add a few compositing nodes, and finally set the particle system as a softbody so we can animate it. Continue Reading

In this beginner/ intermediate level tutorial, you will learn how to create and render a realistic interior scene in Cinema 4D and Vray. The first day will focus on modeling the room and all of the furniture, and the second on materials, lights, rendering, and post production. Day 1 Day 2

Subdivision modeling is a skill like any other…it is relatively easy to grasp the basics, but it can be extremely difficult to get a handle on the the more advanced techniques. In this two hour long, intermediate/ advanced level modeling tutorial, Ben Tate will demonstrate his rocess of creating a detailed high-poly fire hydrant using subdivision modeling. Continue Reading

In this tutorial you will learn how to effectively use constraints to rig any misshapen, non-spherical, cartoon eye. Not every model has a circular eye, and the shape of your eye shouldn’t stand in your way. The tutorial is written for Autodesk Maya 2009. Continue Reading

I don’t know about you my friends, but each time I’m thinking about using After Effects camera I get the shivers. It’s good for panning and zooming, but once you start to make a more classy and smooth motion, or you want to sex it up a bit with some curves you get into trouble. You need to keep track of zoom, point of interest, position, orientation and rotation keyframes all at once. We should be very grateful for Separate Dimensions feature in After Effects CS4, but it does not solve all the problems.

Creating an Ocean
In this basic tutorial, Omar Alkattan demonstrates how to create an ocean with After Effects and only After Effects. We’ll touch on 3D layers, Fractal Noise Effects, and CC toner fx.

The Pen Tool
Useful tips for working with the pen tool, controlling masks and rotoscoping with After Effects.

Creating a Sunset View
In this simple tutorial, Omar Alkattan demonstrates how to create a sunset view with After Effects and only After Effects. We’ll touch on 3D layers, Fractal Noise Effects, simple masks and reflections.

38. Running Man

• Generate particles in After Effects with Trapcode Form Plugin
• Apply Trapcode Form Plugin to a real footage to generate 3d particles

Intro to Holomatrix, Pt. 1: Getting Started In this tutorial, Aharon Rabinowitz gives you a basic introduction to Red Giant Software’s Holomatrix – A set of tools he and Dan Ebberts created together, for Adobe After Effects. The software creates the look of Holographic Imagery, Digital Signage, Bad TV and Ghostly Apparitions.

Intro to Holomatrix, Pt. 2: Corner Pinning and 3D In this tutorial, Aharon Rabinowitz talks about perspective corner pinning and 3D with Red Giant Software’s Holomatrix – A set of tools he and Dan Ebberts created together, for Adobe After Effects. The software creates the look of Holographic Imagery, Digital Signage, Bad TV and Ghostly Apparitions.

Intro to Holomatrix, Pt. 3: Transform Properties In this tutorial, Aharon Rabinowitz walks you through the Transform properties found in Red Giant Software’s Holomatrix – A set of tools he and Dan Ebberts created together, for Adobe After Effects. The software creates the look of Holographic Imagery, Digital Signage, Bad TV and Ghostly Apparitions.

Keep Your Wiggle Under Control Have you ever set up a wiggle expression, gotten a result you liked, and then added another layer into your comp – only to find it changed the wiggle animation? Or maybe you changed the layer order and your wiggle animation changed? In this tutorial, Aharon Rabinowitz, tells you why it happens and how to… READ MORE

In this episode of Red Giant TV, Michael Park shows you how to create the Death Eater Apparition Effect, as seen in the “Harry Potter” films. Read More

In this episode of Red Giant TV, Freelance Designer Robert Hranitzky shows you how to take 2 still images and use them to create a realistic 3D Thunderstorm scene – along with the help of Photoshop, After Effects, Trapocode Particular and Horizon. Read More

In this tutorial, I show you how to make a Radio Wave animation that animates around a sphere. First, I will show you how we can do this in After Effects. Then, I show you how to animate this scene in Cinema 4D where we have a bit more control over our scene. READ MORE

The Canon 5D, Canon 7D, Nikon D90, and Nikon D5000 put the ability to shoot high quality video in the hands of so many photographers. The footage looks great, but it lacks contrast and finish. Watch this tutorial to learn how to color correct, grade and finish your DSLR footage in After Effects. READ MORE

In this Adobe After Effects: Effects A-Z tip, special guest host Eran Stern demonstrates Bulge. Watch tip

In this Cinema 4D video tutorial, guest host Grischa Theissen walks step-by-step through the techniques for modelling, texturing and lighting a realistic iPod Nano. Part 1 Part 2

In this Adobe After Effects: Effects A-Z tip, special guest host Eran Stern demonstrates Bilateral Blur. Watch tip

Modeling a Natural Environment

Simulate a Cloth with Reactor

Object Interaction with Water Part 1

Tip: Grouping in 3D Studio Max 2010

Creating a Glass Shader in Mental Ray

Exporting a Lowpoly Model to Unity 3D

Tip: Using Arrays in 3D Studio max

In this video tutorial, you’ll learn how to configure Net Render with Cinema 4D. We will cover installing and configuring the Net Render Server and Client. You will learn how to use Net Render to reduce your render time of animations as well as still images using a Tiled Camera. READ MORE

In this first video tutorial in a multi-part series you will learn how to work with MoGraph. We start off introducing you to the Cloner Object and it’s different modes: Object, Linear, Radial and Grid Array, as well as how to transform your clones and the Cloner itself. READ MORE

In this second video tutorial in a multi-part series you will learn how to further work with MoGraph. You will learn how to use the Matrix Object, the Fracture Object as well as the Mograph Instance Object. READ MORE

Learn how to create FROM SCRATCH a cool looking hospital corridor
Light, texturize and model a room from scratch
LINK HERE

MacBreak Studio: I talk with Brian Gary about how to take a path created in Adobe Illustrator and use a free little script to turn it into a Motion Shape so that you can use Motion’s shape parameters to modify it and shape behaviors to animate it. Watch it on iTunes here or on the web here. If you just want the script, that’s here. Read More…

I talk with Alex Lindsay about Motion 4’s new Link parameter behavior that allows you to drive the animation of one parameter with that of another. Check it out on iTunes here or on the web here. Read More…

Learn how to use the popular vignette technique to artfully focus the viewer’s attention. READ MOR E

I have been very busy lately giving that I am currently working on three jobs. Anyway I just wanted to give you something to play with, so here it is… READ MORE
This is my first written tutorial. In this tutorial you will learn how to create a shockwave with PFlow and FumeFx. READ MORE

If you love typography like I do, you are always looking for a new way to funk out your type – just to make it look a little different than the rest. 3ds Max has some amazing and creative ways to make your type look absolutely beautiful! In this tutorial I will show you how to extrude text, tweak it out, manipulate the mesh, and then exporting it out to Photoshop to add in some extra elements. Hope you enjoy it! Read More »

UV Maps With C4D Hair LINK HERE

Multi Colored Fur LINK HERE

Morphing in Cinema 4D LINK HERE

Using Vue Skies With C4D LINK HERE

Texture and Normal Maps LINK HERE

Ever wanted to create those classic Pixar or Dreamworks style eyes?…
Learn how to model the basic geometry using simple poly-modelling including all of the essential parts which are crucial for achieving this effect. ..
But what eye tutorial would be complete without some rigging to give that all important movement and animation… LINK HERE

In this tutorial, we take a look at how to export a Normals pass from Cinema 4D, and how to use it to re-light objects in 2D inside of After effects and Fusion 5. You can download the Normality Plugin for After Effects here: http://minning.de/software/normality

In this tutorial, we take a look at how to export UV and Object Buffer passes from Cinema 4D, and how to use those passes to re-texture objects in 2D inside of Fusion 5. Here’s the link to the watering can scene used in this tutorial. Youveelizer UV Mapping plugin for After Effects Re:Vision FX RE:Map Plugin for After Effects

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/lightning_strike/

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Topher

My name is Topher Welsh, the creator of VisualFXtuts.com! I am a freelance motion graphics and VFX artist/blogger based in Tacoma, Washington. I also write for AEtuts+, CGtuts+, Inside The Hive, The GoMediaZine, and a few other places littered around the net. I hope you enjoy your stay here at VisualFXtuts.com and if you want your tuts featured here, email me at support@visualfxtuts.com!

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11.27.09

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