Create a CCTV security video look in After Effects
Laurence Grayson over at Shortformvideo has a quick tutorial on how to downgrade ordinary footage and make it look like it came from a cheap security camera. He utilizes several AE presets and no outside plugins. You’ll also see a ridiculously simple way to give video that steppy, stuttery look. Watch it here.
3D wings with 3D Stroke
You don’t see many tutorials for Trapcode 3D Stroke anymore but you’re in for a real treat today. In his first ever (!) After Effects tutorial Chris Lorance (aka “Iaenic“) posted a 20-minute tutorial called 
Advanced 3D Wings in After Effects where he shows you how to create 3D wings which not only flap but can evolve out of the actor’s back. I hope we see a lot more from this guy in the future!
Create a 3D fall branch in After Effects
This tutorial is a few years old but it’s new to me… and it’s pretty amazing. Alan Shisko shows you how to build and orbit around a 3D leafy branch created completely in After Effects using nothing but a photograph. Watch it here.
An introduction to After Effects expressions
Frederik Steinmetz gives an introduction to After Effects expressions at AE Tuts in the first of a series. This is beginner stuff so if you’ve zero experience this is a good place to start. Watch it here. Afterwards, if you just can’t wait for part two, you can visit MotionScript.com for more information or check out Harry Frank‘s expressions training title over at Toolfarm.
John Dickinson tours Adobe Media Encoder CS5
Earlier this week we shared a tip on how you can now find DG FastChannel presets built right in to Adobe Media Encoder CS5. Let’s now turn to John Dickinson‘s excellent overview on the new version over at Adobe TV. John shows you how to “add files to the encoding queue, customize settings, and thin and edit XMP metadata.” You’ll also see how to use Adobe Media Encoder with After Effects and Premiere Pro. Watch it here.
DG FastChannel presets in Media Encoder CS5
If you regularly create broadcast spots in After Effects and make delivery online you no doubt have dealt with DG FastChannel now and again. Well, there’s a nice surprise hiding inside Adobe Media Encoder CS5. Two FastChannel presets are built right in. You can’t get to them from the render queue in After Effects. But that’s okay, because the connection between AE and Media Encoder with Dynamic Link just got better. You can now connect directly to an .aep file right from Media Encoder—whether After Effects is running or not. When you do it provides a list of comps in that project. Select the comp you want to encode and add it to your queue. Select MPEG2 under Format, and then change the Preset to DG Fastchannel 480 (or 512). Done! Media Encoder will even automatically FTP the resulting file to FastChannel if you set it up to do so.
Prepping complex Illustrator files for ProAnimator
3Ding your logo from an Illustrator file using ProAnimator is generally a painless process. But there are times, especially when you are not the author of the AI file, when things can get messy. Duplicate objects, clippings paths and other AI tricks can create havoc when opened in ProAnimator. In this new tutorial from the Zaxwerks Blog, Prepping Illustrator Files for 3D, you see just such a complex file getting simplified to make life easier when you move into After Effects.
Create a carbon fiber texture in After Effects
Sydney-based motion graphics designer Laurence Grayson has a quick tutorial on creating a Super Quick Carbon Fibre Effect using nothing but AE’s built-in awesomeness. You can also download the project file here. It’s a simple technique which— with a little imagination—you can use over and over again for other textures as well.
Creating underwater explosions
Andrew Kramer‘s latest vfx tutorial Depth Charge! will show you how to composite underwater explosions using stock elements. You’ll also learn about simulating underwater volumetric lighting and shadows, bubbles and debris and a look at a typical 3D/AE workflow.
Break the boundaries of 3D in After Effects with Steve Holmes
Steve Holmes is back with a new tutorial and he wants to show you how to “break the boundaries of 3D” in After Effects. He’ll remind you that in After Effects we’re really only dealing with 2.5D, but will show you how to “achieve that extra .5D” with techniques setting up and lighting your scene. This is a great primer (or reminder) for After Effects lights, shadows, material options, etc. Watch the tutorial at Artbeats.com.
If you like Steve’s style you can dig deeper into the Artbeats tutorial section for 15 more free, downloadable tutorials from his Real World Footage Effects series. You’ll also find videos from Eran Stern and more.
