TUTORIALS FOR VFX & MOTION GRAPHICS
Free After Effects Tutorials & More Hosted By: Andrew Kramer
December 23, 2009
• Use After Effects to create shiny glass orbs in 3D
• Create a spherical and reflection map from images
 
 
TUTORIAL NOTES:
No information available at this time.
Running Time: 25mins.


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415 RESPONSES TO "GLASS ORBS"

by Mark 08/31/2010
Excellent tutorial, worked perfectly; I still get some imperfections in the sphere but that I can work on. Thank you!
by krishna 08/30/2010
Really awesome tutorials.. A brilliant round-up.. I will surely try these techniques.. Thanks for sharing...www.BinarySpectrum.com
by NotRelevant 08/25/2010
between over 400 comments that praise you, i thought i'd leave one of a different kind:

gotta admit i haven't started learning AE seriously mainly because i work a field where PS, Flash and eventually some 3dsmax are the only requirements. leaping to AE seems like a huge step to me because it's a different way of thinking things.. so.. i hate you. lol .. nah.. just playing ..

i deeply admire your skills and talent to pass it on to us youngins and really hope to be able to organize my work one day.. at least half as brilliant as you.. much respect and keep making the world a more beautiful place.
by saul ybanez 08/22/2010
i could enroll to a 6 month class just to learn after effects, and I bet they can't even do 1/4 of this tutorial. And i was able to learn it in just 2 weeks. Thnx very much andrew and to all of your video copilot team...
by Dave 08/22/2010
Can you import 3d objects in AE?
by mr androooo 08/21/2010
can u put a text inside the ord!? please massge me back and nice tut.1m/10
by waqar 08/21/2010
hi andrew. Thanx for resolving all my compositing issues. I havent come across any genius like you. You are not only master of your field but equally master at transferring your knowledge, which is rare. Hats off to you. for me, you are an inspiration. a true genius.
by mano 08/16/2010
thanks a lot Andrew!
shining balls! just what I needed!
by Chelsie 07/29/2010
Can you change the shape of the orb at all I would like to try to take the same idea for the orb but make it look like a coin?
by Cristian 07/23/2010
hi there i´m really happy with this page it´s helping mi a lot. but i was wonderng if youcan do a tutorial for energy efects like dragon ball z thx.
sorry my english i´m from argentina
by Phalguni Roy 07/23/2010
You are GOD!!!!.....Awesome Tutorial..!!..I really enjoyed it so much......!!!!
by Cole Stiverson 07/15/2010
Hey Andrew. This is how I did with some modifications. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p4KfbJ7hac
by shapeshifter_ 07/08/2010
ok guys i fixed the problem with my sphere but now i need to fix sth to do with the shortcuts. i got used to some of them yet i dont know how to change the name of the layers and jpg s and other tools that are listed down the screen. in this one we have adjustment layers for example. and he is changing their names in the wink of an eye :d i need to learn the shortcuts to do it on my computer. but i dont have a begin key which screwed me up the previous time. i needed to use ctrl alt begin keys for some application but it was impossible as i didnt have it on my keyboard. so i need the alternatives to be used instead if possible. isnt it funnt i work on my 4th tut and asking questns like an infant in arms :D
by shapeshifter_ 07/08/2010
hi there!

i applied some of the tutorials. actually its my 4th :)) and i have a problem with this one. i used a jpg file for the sphere in the very beginning. then i applied steps one by one as the tut told. but my sphere has no polars so to speak. i mean it is not a complete sphere but it is like this:( )it is cut in the poles. dunnow what caused it. need help! i was hoping that somebody tell me sth :D thanks!!!
by Ren 07/03/2010
You did a really good job!

Thanks for everything.

Ren, Taiwan
by lulu 06/30/2010
?? ????
loveIng you ?
by Zariya Shouler 06/18/2010
Who'd of thunk it? Just what I need to complete the first stages of a project I'm working on. Thank you! You are a God send. :)
xxx
by Roland Freitag 06/11/2010
Hey! Thanks a lot for all these freaking amazing tutorials, I ve been studying some of ur videos and directly started working with AE by myself...

It took me a while to get into it, especially the shortcuts but i am pretty proud of my own results... I mean u can see the difference from the very first video though, but still, not that bad i assume...

I would appreciate a comment on my vids or at least at my newest one which i just did today.

Keep up the great work, ur awesome man!

Kind regards from cologne/germany

RolanD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyZyqUkAU_Y

or check out my chanel as well

http://www.youtube.com/user/RlandCorp

by Amy Plumb 06/03/2010
hey, just wondering if anyone could help me how can i get the cc plugins i have after effects cs5 and was just wondering what i need to download to get them. Really want to try out these amazing tutorials
by Robobinho 06/03/2010
Hi andrew,
All your tutorials are fantastic!
I only wanna say reflections dont rotate when the object rotate XD

You ar totaly awsome! Robin
by Danial 05/22/2010
OMG!
Amazing!
by Noah 05/18/2010
I make films for fun with friends, I would not be if it weren't for you Andrew THANKS SOOOO MUCH! Just one thing though, is it possible for me to get all the photos you use in all your tuts? THANKS HEAPS!
by Mike G 05/15/2010
hahahah, mavis beacon. I hated that program!
by David 05/10/2010
I loved this tutorial

added some water and fire orbs using stock footage from Motion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43bZiPKCz-c
by George Wesley 05/03/2010
thanks Andrew ^^

George Wesley, Brazil.
by Liannie 04/30/2010
Hi Andrew!!

I'm from Puerto Rico and want to say: THANK YOU!!! You are the best and love your tutorials especially when you start talking about your thoughts. Great sense of humor!!!
Besos!!
by SHOLPAN COOL 04/14/2010
I THINK THAT WORLD HAVENT MAN LIKE ANDREW.
BEST OF THE BEST.
ESHEN. I AM FROM SHYMKENT. KAZAKHSTAN
by Ben Lindymac 04/12/2010
I'm not sure which is cooler, the friggen sweet tutorials, or these totally awesome comments!
by human 03/30/2010
Hi, Andrew I love you so much, you learn me a lot of important things I'm Arabic girl and I like your tutorials I hope every one will be like you... god will help you in your life you are the best...
Thank you so so much...
by Rebekah 03/29/2010
Hi Andrew!
Big fan of your work on the Star Trek creds.

I'm having a problem viewing this Glass Orbs tut. It may just be too awesome for my computer, but I'm hoping there's a simple fix for this.

Thanks! You're the best!
by christian 03/28/2010
Fantastic work Andrew!
hey guys...i need some help with OFFSET effect. I can´t find it in my cs4 effect
by Veronica 03/27/2010
You are a genious! A million thanks for the tutorials!
by Kim Segel 03/25/2010
Something was bugging me after I watched my spinning sphere for a while... It wasn't REFRACTING!!!

It's a subtle fix - but it helps sell the shot... Here we go:

1. Go to your "ORB Comp."

2. Add an adjustment layer near the bottom of the stack, above 'inside' and below 'outside' Name it 'refraction' (or whatever...)

3. Add the "CC Lens" effect.

4. Size:60
Convergence:40

5. Render, and enjoy!
by Kim Segel 03/24/2010
Great tut Andrew!! Happy 100th.

A few thoughts on the tut...

First - to Christine in NZ: you may want to play with "Simulations, CC Bubbles" for a very cool soap bubble effect!

OK, on the Glass Orbs project:

A: When you are building out the (seamless) Reflection layer (based on probe.jpg) a very quick and dirty way to make it seamless is:
1. Add an adjustment layer above the probe.jpg layer.
2. Drop a "Motion Tile" FX on that adjustment layer.
3. Check "Mirror Edge"
4. Keyframe "Tile Center" and animate 'x' to taste.
This doesn't work if it has to match a specific BG, but for most blurry things (like this) it's fine.

B: I added a couple of specular (reflective) highlights in the "Orb" COMP, that stay fixed in place on the ball surface - as if they were reflecting street lights or set lights. (Like an Obie light that adds a little sparkle to talent's eyes.)
1. In the "Orb" COMP, add a bluish-white solid.
2. Cut a couple of small elliptical masks in it near the sphere top/left and top/right.
3. Feather to taste.

C: Once you have finished building out the "Orb" COMP, you can reduce the "Orb" comp size. I took mine down to 500x500 in Comp Settings without hurting anything.
by mutavi 03/23/2010
Why cant every teacher be cool like Andrew. I am beginning to think that alot of pple are in the wrong proffession. Thanks andrew
by christine 03/18/2010
Hi, I'm in New Zealand soon to be doing Adobe after effects course at Polytech. This has just completly blown my mind. Knowing we will have to have footage to play around with for the project will be given I tried to film bubbles and just ended up with a big soapy mess. The idea is to enclose a memory/scene inside that pops. Thank you so much for this tutorial ... I was beginning to think it wouldn't be possible .. you're awesome. Sexy voice too by the way ( :
by Mark 03/18/2010
Well i just love your tutorials. they are so great and give much of knowing and inspiration.

grat jop keep it up
by Elizabeth 03/13/2010
Excellent tutorial. Laughed so hard at the Home Alone reference :) :) haha. Thank you...
by Kenny 03/12/2010
Brand new to after effects and already am creating powerful stuff, thanks alot Andrew
by Steven 03/08/2010
You're the best andrew!! you'Re such and inspiration!
by mehrdad AMINI 03/08/2010
hey andrew
your work is very very very .... very good man.
by Faton 02/27/2010
you are a legend of creativity even after effects
and 3d also .I wish you all the best bye
by karthik 02/26/2010
nice job
by Eva 02/25/2010
Andrew Kramer, you're tutorials are AWESOME. Thank you! I'll come back here many more times now...
by Eva 02/24/2010
I don't even have after effects, but his voice is so entertaining that I watched it anyways.
Mavis Beacan taught me how to type like 80wpm.. so don't diss that woman.
by Yumi 02/20/2010
Andrew, the spirit and humor with which you present these tutorials is unrivaled. If only high school teachers had some of your skills dude.

You make learning fun, easy, efficient and you NEVER compromise the stimulation of people's creativity, YOU SIR ARE A HERO!

Thank you VERY much for all your hard work!
by Jonathan 02/20/2010
Hey, awesome site. You made me think video editing is cool again. I was into it before but now when i have After Effects in school i can see how much it can do so it´s kinda cool.
by Eivinas N. 02/20/2010
Hey, Andrew! Thank you for this perfect tutorial, I'm looking forward for more video tutorials. By the way, here's what I made using your tutorial, if you want to see, how it went, please come and look at it. Feedback is always appreciated!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=487X_l3Oe_4

Watch, listen and enjoy!
by Heitor 02/19/2010
man... i'm amazed with this tutorial... lots of ideas coming out ;o) thanks for this :o)
by mango 02/18/2010
Thank you, Andrew.
by chami 02/18/2010
good work man..thanx a lot. form - sri lanaka
by doogiedesign 02/18/2010
If I was half as smart as you. . . you would be twice as smart as me.

Your kung-fu is the best.
by Bahman ghanizadeh 02/18/2010
thank you so much . you are orginal a.k.
by Arambam 02/17/2010
dude....i admire u !!! the stuff that u ve made brought it out, its amazing!!!!!!i m following ur footpath!!!! thnx man for sharing ur stuff! looking ahead for more!
by dante 02/16/2010
by dante fm ITALY
Thanks a lot,awesome tutorial,great exposition.
Congratulations Andrew
I hope to see more tute fm you and your staff
thanks again
EVVIVA videocopilot.net
by Manjunatha H R 02/15/2010
u makes me feel good........
great tutorials...
by todox 02/14/2010
thanks, Andrew! Lesson Nr. 100! respect
by Wiandi Fazzar 02/13/2010
Wow.,.,.,great tut thanks...!!!
by raj 02/13/2010
this is one of the best tutorial site which i ever seen....
by wdzr 02/12/2010
Realman!...but i have a question about how to make a 2d layer always face the camera?
by Mytchall 02/12/2010
Thanks for the awesome tutorials! This is now one of my favourite sites. I hope you make more and I'll continue to watch your cool vids!!!!!!!!!
by ? 02/11/2010
your tutorials have helped me alot plus this is not from your tut but check this video clip out channel on youtube grendel1999
by Norman Crypt 02/10/2010
Good work Andrew! Thx so much, i enjoyed every tut of you :)

Made one clip after this tut too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnMWDFHcH1A
by steffan 02/09/2010
andrew you are the best program teacher KEEP IT UP MAN !!!
by David 02/08/2010
Thx Andrew. Your tutorials have helped me a ton. Finally got around to saying thank you.

Keep up the great work!
by luvAE 02/08/2010
nice job Andrew. i luv ur tutorials and will be waiting for the next.
by Benny 02/07/2010
Andrew.....somewhat inspirational, keep it going man!
by Faidz 02/06/2010
Terimakasih atas tutorial yang telah anda berikan.
Sangat berguna untuk kami

Indonesia
by janadhi 02/04/2010
you make me talented thank you so much
congratulation for 2010 .02.05 from sri lanka
by Lou_ 02/04/2010
I was sooooooo looking for something like this to make my new logo! Thank you A.K.!
by juak milo86 02/04/2010
what is the pass of the star, tis light.... i need plsss... teel me, soo this the process...
by lanny 02/04/2010
Thank you andrew! AMAZING!
...from China
by Ryan Mc Dermott-kelly 02/03/2010
HAHAHHAHHA Mavis beacon i use to use that a loooong time ago:P great tut dude your skills r unmateched
by spideyro 02/03/2010
Wow amazing...
by Patronu 02/03/2010
i think it's one of your best tutorials! it is awesome!

however i have a question: how can we create actual 3D orbs? (not a 2D simulation)
by sonic 02/03/2010
Great
by Paraguay 02/01/2010
Andrew

Sos mi maestro. Gracias por guiarnos en este excelente mundo del AV. Saludos
by Luka 02/01/2010
Tnx Andrew

I really like this tutorial. Happy to be able to follow your site.

best wishes from Slovenia.

Luka
by Jojo 01/31/2010
Hey Andrew, where did you get that smudge image?
by Viddy 01/31/2010
Great tutorial, as usual. I like your jokes; you make me laugh! I'm the guy in the van that you mentioned in the tutorial. Sure, I'll give you a ride home...
by onur 01/30/2010
OMG
by ae lover 01/30/2010
oh my god thanks so much 100000/5
by TraX 01/28/2010
Jesus, Andrew... Your like a god in this software :D

keep up the good work !
by Supremo killer 01/27/2010
Iam Greating to you I can from Angola country and I respect you, 4 me u is the best in after effects and photoshop. thanks for all and congratulations.
by Nourddine FX 01/26/2010
you rock andrew,you still the best in the whole word,this is the best site that i've ever seen.keeep it up
sorry my english is not good
Nourddine from morocco.
by Anthoni 01/26/2010
Your a class act great videos.Do you have a tutorials on the underworld werewolfs.
by l 01/26/2010
hey,i am a chinese i love you guy but speaking of
love ,could you show me some tutorials about maya
and 3dsmax ?????????
by Sturm 01/26/2010
Just <3 :)
by ricardo 01/25/2010
Whath ok tutorial , you are will a tutorial the animation the characters
by oras 01/25/2010
hay andy
can i set some seen into the orb ?
by Jone 01/24/2010
Nice tutorial. But I am a bit dissapointed, since this was the 100th tutorial you've made
by John 01/24/2010
I love this site, the best teacher ever. Keep it up, any cinema 4d tutorials coming up? If you did that and sold it i will buy it only from you Andrew.

Cheers you the best!!!
by Rompopey 01/22/2010
you're such a genius, keep on goin'!
by Andrew ralidch 01/22/2010
i love you mr Kramer
thanks for you great tutorials
by tavitooo 01/21/2010
Hola Andrew

great tutorial, please podrias poner subtitulos en español a los tutoriales? seria fantastico para asi llegar a toda America Latina y tengas aun mas fans, son barbaros tus video tutoriales mi amigo, gracias por cooperar con el mundo del after effects!. Sigue asi mi hermano saludos desde Peru Lima
by nimo 01/21/2010
U ARE THE BEST.
by nimo 01/21/2010
U ARE THE BEST.
by YouON 01/21/2010
i've tried to this orb in Photoshop following your awesome tutorial...

http://www.facebook.com/#/photo.php?pid=5117507
by RENILDO SILVA 01/19/2010
Hi I live in the Brazilian state of Bahia, and I am f? of you's, and would like to know how fa? to get to know the you's, I would like if possible that you? s send an email to me my email? kenodopega@hotmail.com
please? much if you? s answer me because I like the work you're doing? wonderful.
Sugira uma tradução melhor
by Kpoch 01/19/2010
Nice tutorial, i've learning AE with this site i hope u can upload more tutorials.

Kpoch from Mexico
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