New Tutorial: Colorful Universe
April 2nd, 2008


In this tutorial we will create a dynamic scene with an extreme wide angle camera and an circular particle system. Basically we'll be creating what you see in the picture :)

Sample Video

Watch Tutorial

PRESET NOTE: The preset is inside the project for this tutorial and it works with AE 6.5, 7 and CS3.

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
17 years ago
70 Comments
Looks absolutely gorgeous
hugo
17 years ago
hey Andrew... this tutorial is awesome... BUT... i have a little problem... its kind of the same one that some another guy mencioned... I cant use the 3d orbit... i know its because i have the spanish version... but its there a way to maybe translate the whole AE or the 3d orbit or is there a version that runs on multilanguage...

p.s. this site rulz....
Rob
17 years ago
Hey Andrew keep up the good work... I really enjoyed this one..but i was wondering if you can make a tutorial were you explain the camera an the graph editor.... i'm always in a fight with the camera. Many times i export my Cinema4d cameramovement because it's more in control and more easy to make ... but maybe you now some good tricks what makes it easier.

Greetings Rob
Wersa
17 years ago
Use of this and some another Andrew's tutorials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl4CvegVCNM
imsraaia
17 years ago
gr8..
17 years ago
Any chance you could post the specs of your current computer setup? I'd be very curious to hear what you use (and not the Speak & Spell one you use for the tutorials... the other bigger one). I have just recently upgraded my own system, so maybe we can compare sizes. Love visiting the site and seeing what you're up to.

Best,
-Robert
George Lucas
17 years ago
The background is, again, dark.
Alex T
17 years ago
Thx to everyone that helped me! Going to test it when I get home. Can maybe post a link to youtube when I'm done.
PE
17 years ago
@ Alet T, you can freeze a partical system and then zoom out the frozen layer with motion blur, maybe add lightstreaks to sell the effect, or even more simple, use the repeater

although imo the best option would be, emmit a range of particles that are static, then simply extrude their lifetime & Z position over time

warp speed/light speed stars are easy
PE
17 years ago
nice, but i agree on some comments from above

all these 3rd party plug / tools are great but aren't really essential to AE.
i'd love to see more AE specific tutorials instead of showcasing basic 3D animation or 3rd party plugins.

fe. rotoscoping, performance tips, lens settings, render settings

still, sweet looking result in this screenshot
jemsel
17 years ago
i like this one heheheh!!! thanks again for this tutorial!! though i thought the lights are like electricity that surrounds thru the text hahaha!! but i must say you help me alot i mean alot!!! for 3months been learning alot from your tutorials eheheh!!! yeah!!
17 years ago
Thanks for another great tutorial! Man you are really making me lazy out of here because with these great bunch of very useful tutorials I really don't have to twist my brain when it comes to do almost everything in AE.
Michel Greco
17 years ago
to Alex T!!

did kind of that affect but more like star trek voyager lightspeed traveling but anyway!! i used cc particule world that i made move slowly toward the camera, and then keyframed the velocity and birth rate, i then ade a radial blur in witch i keyframed the amount, be sure that the type is set to zoom, and finally i aded a glow cause my boss thaught it wasn't bright enough, could have played with the color maybe but wanted it fast done so i put a glow on it, altough the glow may affect the render time!! anyway it gave us the look we wanted witch was the impression of traveling trought a star field at a pretty high speed!!

hope it can help you!!
Alex T
17 years ago
Nice tutorial! I was thinking about the hyperspeed effect in Star Wars, do u know any good way of doing that? It might be possible if the particles go from static to moving and then increasing the particles so they become lines, but I don't know. It would be great if u could do just write in the blog or something, cuz I can't find it anywhere on the internet.
17 years ago
Amazing!!!!!!!!!! I love it!
nic
17 years ago
I stopped short finishing the tutorial and then tinkered with it a day or so later... I used a black background...

this will run smoothly after 1 complete loop.... then it's completely loaded... it's 1280x720 don't know how to transition the end of the time line back to the first so there is a slight unevenness as it repeats itself...

http://www.newtrierfootball.com/universe.html

not sure how long i'll keep this link up.

Thanks AK.
Rob
17 years ago
Yet another lovely tutorial! I recently bought Roit Gear and Evolution and I have to say they are fantastic, the video tutorials that come with both being a big big help too!

Can't wait for future products! Thanks again Andrew!
fletcher
17 years ago
every tv stations from romania used your Video Copilot Products
JaBuTi
17 years ago
hey could someone help me out with this possibly? I tried this tutorial out on CS3, I got the left to right camera movement with the camera attached to the 3d null object fine. But when I try to animate the camera movement upwards at the end, I don't know what's happening. I increase the null object y position but this just seems to move the rings of particles apart from each other in the y direction.. The text stays in the middle of the screen too
17 years ago
Hey A.K

Another intriguing and brilliant tuts. Well done again and again. Sensei you're just too much. Well I've done another stuff using some of VCP products. Please critics are welcome.

Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a0uRNSEK6A
Ethan
17 years ago
Thank You Adrew Kramer And Video Co-pilot Team.
Eddie
17 years ago
By the way i thought it was funny when u said some one was complaning about tuts with dark backgrounds then u used one anyway ha ah that was cool lol.
Eddie
17 years ago
Cool tut Andrew ........

The orb plugin is that used to do the bullet time u did at all Hmmmmm maby.
Thanks dude...............
17 years ago
Hey Andrew,

I would say, you are the best and friendly tutor of AF. I would ask you to organize some workshop with a small fee. I'm sure most of AF users and your fans will attend.

I would like to help you to organize a AF workshop, if you willing to come to Las Vegas.

I'm sure you can do a great workshop for 2-3 days.

Thanks you for your support to improve our knowledge. Looking forward to hear your response for this request and get in touch with you.

Good Luck

Oscar Nonis from Las Vegas
Kris
17 years ago
thats funny, a guy comment that requesting without black background, as andrew trying to find a new color back he pick "dark grey" still goes to the category "Black" background. I guess that didnt work for that guy, lol
Sandy
17 years ago
Awesome Awesome Awesome.........
Thnx Awesome Andrew.
17 years ago
Ok - its me again... in regards to the Quicktime update - here is alink that will take you to the Apple website to get their take on the issue:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1241" rel="nofollow">Apple Support

or just copy this link:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1241

Later - back to work now!!!
tommie12P(Thorsten Miess)
17 years ago
this was the funniest tutorial ever!

On the most parts you said that this was a joke and you were just kidding, but i like the point when you said: "I saw a comment that says im always using black backgrounds, so let me do another one" and then you choose a really dark gray that looks like black.

The whole tutorial was funny (nothin to do right now?^^)


But at least it was useful, as every other tutorial on videocopilot!!!!
kris
17 years ago
This is what Ive been waiting for. I didnt expect your going to make this. Thanks!
Ben
17 years ago
Awesome Tut Andrew.. thanks for all the time and effort you put into these tutorials!! Cant wait for the next one! Thanx again from across the pond!!!
Gaz
17 years ago
i laughed out loud quite a few times while watching this tutorial, i love it when you go off on a tangent about something completely unrelated...helps ease the stress of looming university project work!
practically my whole class use videocopilot, you're like a messiah lol
17 years ago
Instead of "God is my Copilot..."

"Andrew Kramer is my copilot.."


(Gotta becareful how loud I say that, I am a God fearing man )
ugie
17 years ago
Hi;

Great tutorial....but cannot find the "3D orbit" preset in the presets page?
When will it be available?

Thanx
Loay
17 years ago
sound good thanks
and waiting for the next tut.........
UmairVFX
17 years ago
wow.....
17 years ago
When I explain what I do to my family, I say I do all the shiny stuff you see in commercial. This should be a great example.
jemsel
17 years ago
wow i love it cool!!!! thanks man!! your the best!!!
noone
17 years ago
hey, i'm really glad to see you showing some stuff on expressions, at the meeting in NY i was sorta like "uhh crap he's doing expressions......and its not that wiggle one..."
17 years ago
Hey Andrew, I just got a new 2.6 Ghz MacBook Pro with 4GB ram. How do I turn it on?

Great tutorial. Reminded me of that sexy Zoom network stuff over at Belief.com.
17 years ago
You need to use the English version of After for the preset to work. There is also a script to translate expressions here:

http://www.nabscripts.com/Downloads/downloads_en_3.php?id=8
Gaëtan
17 years ago
Hello all!

I just tell you why it will not interfere with Animation Pr??©d??©finies, when I put on a slap and then he says: After Effects (warning): Error: Class "Effect" has no property or method called "Slider" Expression disabled ?

Look at this: http://www.dream-prod.be/Forum/cavapas.JPG

Help me! Thank you
17 years ago
I know I'll be using this by the end of the month. Good stuff Andrew!
17 years ago
I'd just like to say that I love this site. And I'm really looking forward to seeing 3D compositing, ie. the bullettime, cg objects casting real shadows.
Also, I saw the medical zoom effect used on an advert for "The View" on HDABC. Thanks for the amazing tutorials.
guyy
17 years ago
@CLANCY30
I understand what you mean
and you said "lets see somthing make us kneel"
and sometimes to do that, after effects itselfs is not enough
you need other tools like trapcode and 3d max to make great stuffs
also you said that trapcode or 3d max are pricy programs and let me tell you
something, AFTER EFFETS is also a pricy program, so if you can afford to have AFTER EFFECTS then i think that you can also afford to buy trapcode which is much cheaper than after effects

as for "if its possible to keep the tutorials in our range as for the AE FANS "

AF FANS?? After effect is a professional program
so if you are just a fan i dont think you need such advance program just to play around
17 years ago
Thanx Andy! :]
Looks Gorgeous!

Gotta say what im Still R-E-A-L-L-Y waiting for is the
3D Text+motion tracking-Tutorial :]

Have a great day!
elad.
Jason
17 years ago
Wow, thanks a bunch, Andrew! You're the man! This is gonna come in handy with my next project!
guyy
17 years ago
This tutorial is going to help many of us in a great way
Thank you Andre Kramer and video copilot team
17 years ago
Dude, what happened to the CG objects casting shadows in the real world?!

Having said that this is pretty cool too. The sample video was a nice touch.

Did you really see spiderman in NY?! That's pretty cool.

I met Princess Anne in Aviemore when I was 9 but she just waved and accepted flowers, no webs and definately no utility belt, cape or over the trousers under pants.
Emil Smedius
17 years ago
Oh my god, thanks for posting a sample video! You should keep on doing that in the future...!
17 years ago
oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god^^

are you gonna show us some of the stuff, which you showed in NY too??
Roel
17 years ago
Hi Andrew,

Do you think it's possible to parent a camera to that motion circle plug-in that focuses on an object in the middle circle, so you get like a cool explosion with some text and the camera flies alla around it or something like that?

That would be very cool

Greetz, Roel

(p.s. love this site )
DrF
17 years ago
Can't wait to give it a shot!
17 years ago
wohooo !!! this one looks amazing like all the others ! I am so loaded with work these days but I will try to find time tonight !! keep it up drew !
17 years ago
Forgive me for saying this ,but as we all know andrews tutorials are all great but the problem we face is when a new tutorial comes out after a long wait and to see that we dont have trapcode or 3D MAX ,if its possible to keep the tutorials in our range as for the AE FANS ,I think if you are a pro you dont need a tutorial waether you have trapcode or 3d max which everyone should have them but they are too pricy like andrew said .lets see tutorials with twitch or bullet time lets see tutorials will do great in the film field that we can use to knock some one down with it .this tutorial been done before the only new thing is the trapcode been added to it .lets see a new breed of tutorials in AE ,lets see somthing make us kneel. with all the love and support to videocopilot.net.
17 years ago
Wow, Andrew... Really cool. Great Job!
17 years ago
Excellent. Thanks Andrew!
Scott
17 years ago
Hmm, looks interesting...
HOBO_MIDGET
17 years ago
holy crap yay ^____^
Casko
17 years ago
COOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
S. Gilbert
17 years ago
Hey Andrew,

It was awesome meeting you at the show last thursday. I hope you had as much fun in NY as your fans did at the show, your invited back anytime. This Tut looks amazing, in fact, rather than sitting here and talking about it, I'm gonna go check it out. looks sweet.
jorberg
17 years ago
Thanks AK! Looks great! Looking forward to new products to purchase --
ALFA
17 years ago
Very cool, thanks !
SnoOow
17 years ago
Great Tutorial !!!!
Ellis
17 years ago
looks very cool and quite useful
Nobody
17 years ago
Great, another effect that we'll see everywhere on Youtube! Just kidding, excellent work Andrew!
Darkskill
17 years ago
WOW
Rob
17 years ago
Wonderfull
Ryoo
17 years ago
wsome dude
thanks a lot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joshua Carey
17 years ago
Awesome, I'm always on this site, like two to four times a day ^_^ it looks fun, I can't wait to watch.