Favorite AE Plug-in(s)

[GFXProjections]

What After effect plug-in(s) do u guys use most?:)

[krezrock]

depends on what you're doing with ae.

for example: combining vector masks, expressions, with simple color corrections parented to those expressions can create more dynamic effects with shorter render times than using plug ins.

maya paint efx is nice when used with motion math.

[MoRpH]

Hmmmm actually I don't really use AE (I prefer to do my FX in real time), but I am considering installing and having a play.. can anyone recommend a good online beginner/medium level tutorial???

[sleepytom]

actually the user guide that comes with the progrm is a really good place to start - you might be able to download it from adobe - if not the version 4 user guide is >here (http://balder.prohosting.com/tom23/afx4_guide.zip)

[krezrock]

there is a classroom in a book that is helpful. these tutorials online are useful as well. and drop me an email if you have any questions. it's my main tool over here at my day job.

http://studio.adobe.com/learn/main.html

[MoRpH]

http://www.fatchicksinpartyhats.com/images/fathat55a.jpg THANKS GUYS :)

[krezrock]

got rid of that nonsense :)

[MoRpH]

Hahahahaha.... OK enough OT shenanigans.

OK tell me what can AE do that I can't do with excellent knowledge of photoshop and premiere???

[many2]

There are many things you can do with After Effect you can't do with premier and photoshop together : After effect really is Photoshop with a timeline. Embedded compositions is one of my favorite features : it lets you create a composition in a composition. Another fine feature is the Import PSD as composition, where all the layers from a Photoshop PSD file will be imported as different layers in a composition, all keeping their initial photoshop properties. The use of curves to control all parameters over time. Also, for the last versions, you also have hierarchies between layers, letting you do things like simple mechanical or character animation. Try it and learn it and you will only use premiere for normal cut editing after that (and then import it in After Effect ;) )

Many-2

[krezrock]

yes nesting compositions is essential to creating powerful effects. premiere has keyframeable effects but no control over the velocities of the keyframes. you can customize your curves (draw them even) in ae. and once again the javascript expressions in the newest version gave me much more control over organic mathematics. 3d layers. 3d lights. 16 bit color....:nod:

[sleepytom]

not to metion motion tracking, diffrence matts, high res images etc etc

all you winamp lovers can use it to render audio waveforms on screen too!

[MoRpH]

Xcellent..... will definately be checking it out then... as I said in the other thread though I don't really do a lot of pre-production on my clips (prefer working live).

This velocity of keyframes, I know what you mean, is this basically the same thing as what (can't remember who was the person using it) someone was talking about with envelopes in vegas video???

[krezrock]

haven't used vegas video.

velocity can be controlled by bezier curves or linear interpolation.

if you can get version 5 you'll be able to do some nice stuff with text.

experimentation with audio analysis and using motion math to control parameters is fun.

[sleepytom]

yes its pretty much the same as envolopes in vegas (only with much better control)

BTW does anyone know how to make video go backwards at normal speed in vegas? i find the speed envelope well confusing it doesn't seem to let you type numbers in anywhere - you just have to drag it up and down?