Idea: The Histogram as the Image
This is pretty interesting.
The idea for this project started with a question: Is it possible to create an image that depicts its own histogram? (A histogram, for those unfamiliar with the term, is a bar graph representing all the tones in an image – it typically looks something like a mountain range). I played around a little bit in Photoshop and the closest thing I came up with was this image.
Via AE-List
Apple Motion anyone?
Plugged-In: The Digital Landscape Launches! For real this time.
As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Keith Larsen and Alan Spaulding finished this incredible podcast and I *launched* it on Tuesday… or shall I say thought I was launching it. After encountering issue after issue with the feed and iTunes, I’ve gotten it all sorted out, and become an expert at putting a podcast on iTunes at the same time!
Allright, I’ve teased you enough over the past few days, dangling the podcast carrot right in front of your nose. If you were not able to listen, everything is working right and it’s ready to go. Crunch that carrot.
Without further ado, Plugged-In: The Digital Landscape – Epidsode 1. Click for details of the podcast and info on how to listen.
A Conversation with Jim Geduldick on The Wonder Pets!
The Wonder Pets! is an adorable animated series that airs on Nick Jr./Noggin, aimed at the pre-k audience. It was created by the award-winning team at Little Airplane Productions. Toolfarm chats with Jim Geduldick, who is a Senior Editor but wears a lot of other hats in the production of the show.
Gather the kids around the computer and spend some quality family time! Read the interview and see some cuter-than-puppies-wrapped-in-kittens screen shots.
AE Power User Tip
I dug this one up from the old AE Freemart.
To save time when you pitch your preferences, set up your settings exactly as you like them, duplicate your preference file and store it someplace safe. Then, when things get buggy, replace the bad preferences with your good copy. Be careful to rename it exactly the same.
Troubleshooting After Effects 7
Jonas Hummelstrand’s great blog, General Specialist, had these excellent tips for fixing problems with After Effects.
Here is an excerpt:
Having problems with After Effects? Here’s a collection of tried and true remedies:
1. Check that your system harddrive and the harddrive where you store your After Effects project and footage aren’t full, and then run a disk check to make sure they aren’t damaged.
2. Uninstall QuickTime, restart your computer.
3. Uninstall any third-party video and audio codecs for QuickTime and Windows Media, such as XviD, DivX, FFDShow, BlackMagic, Aja, Avid, Flip4Mac, etcetera.
4. Reinstall the latest version of QuickTime.
Lots more great tips await you.
After Effects New York User Group’s First meeting Feb 22
Adobe After Effects New York (AENY) first meeting is set for February 22. There is no fee for this event, thanks to sponsorship from Adobe and Pratt Manhattan. They are covering Maxon Cinema 4D 10 and After Effects Integration, as well as Mograph, Stephen Neary will present "Bigfoot’s Eulogy" and Aharon Rabinowitz will be presenting some quick After Effects tips. I met Aharon at NAB NY.
They’re giving away LOADS of door prizes including Red Giant Software: Magic Bullet Suite, MB Colorista and Trapcode Suite (all Trapcode Plug-ins), three Wondertouch particleIllusion licenses, GridIron Nucleo and Nucleo Pro, Cinema 4D and Mograph, Sorenson Squeeze Power Pack, Automatic Duck, Digital Anarchy PlasmaFX, Cycore FX and more. Wow…. good stuff, indeed.
After Effects Tip #10: Levels Quick Reference Guide
John Dickinson, one of the Toolfarm Forum Experts, has posted a Levels reference guide at his site.
Levels is a plug-in I’ve never had a problem with and my students seem to grasp it really well. Curves, however, is another animal. My students sometimes have a tough time figuring out how it works. Maybe we’ll see a reference guide for curves? Heck, maybe I will make one.
Update: John tells me that he IS working on a Curves reference guide. Thanks, John! I know that will certainly be used in my classroom.
Recharge Dried Out Markers
Okay, not a tip for After Effects, but this one is really good! You all use markers in your office or school to make lists, diagrams or storyboards and I’m sure for multiple other purposes.
How many times have you thought you’ve capped your dry erase or felt tip markers? How many markers have your kids left the caps off and ruined? My daughter got some dry erase markers and an easel for Christmas and left the caps off last night. I Googled “Rejuvenate Dried Markers” and found a great tip. I always tried dipping in water and that has never worked too well.
This actually works. I’m sure that Mr. Wizard probably had this on his show… or in a Heloise column somewhere. Use a 2 foot length of string and some tape. Double up the string and tape the end of the string to the marker. Tape the top end of the marker, not the writing tip. You’ll have a loop. Put your finger in the loop and swing the marker over your head for 20 seconds or so, like a helicopter propellar. The centrifugal force will draw the moisture to the tip of the marker. The markers were so moist, they were drippy!
The common sense approach to portfolios/demo reels
A collegue of mine, Bill Fischer, sent out a memo with some tips from his New York City visit to some big studios, including Psyops, Brand New School and Animation Collective. Just thought I’d share them, paraphrasing and adding my own comments…
- A DVD reel is critical for animators. Bill says to also be prepared to create a VHS. I’m not sure if VHS is that important anymore, however, it can’t hurt.
- Reel length: 2-3 minutes. In my opinion, I’d rather see 1.5 minutes of hot animation and graphics than 3 minutes that is repetitive and weak content. Quality outweighs quanity any day.
- keep it fresh. If it’s obviously more than 2 or 3 years old, you might consider not including it.
- Studios prefer to pre-screen applicants by looking at online portfolios. Your website should be easy to navigate. They’re there to see your video reel, not your experimental navigation. Don’t hinder a possible employer from seeing your work!
- For 3D character work, include some of your sketches, storyboards, and other important details on the process.
- Showing work completed with a group shows that you can work with a team.
- If you have the ability to do more than one specialization, show it off. Character design, animation, storyboards, titles, etc. Show a variety on your reel.
- Make sure the work is indeed your work! Yes, it should go without saying, but I have seen work on a reel that I knew was done by someone else. This is a surefire way not to get hired and to get yourself into some trouble or blacklisted in a city.
Got any tips of your own? Please comment below.
