NEW TUTORIAL: The Portal
August 30th, 2011

Step into a new dimension with this exciting new tutorial from the Demon Cam video featuring a powerful portal effect with advanced compositing tips. This tutorial is one of many upcoming lessons based on the visual effects for our Demon Cam film, stay tuned for more.

Includes many techniques including:

  • Chroma Keying, Screen equalizing, Spill Suppression
  • Building the Portal using included Smoke Clip
  • Color Correction, Glow Effects & Optical Flares
  • Planet of the Apes Reference
  • Accurate depth revealing effect using ZPass from a 3D program

Watch Tutorial Now!

References:

Optional Plug-in used: Optical Flares

The Video Copilot iPhone App: Demon Cam
Hey, we'd buy your app if you made one!

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
14 years ago
106 Comments
13 years ago
It s good tuto. I tried do it here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsic8v2vbPI
Adam
14 years ago
Hello Andrew, this is an awesome tutorial!! i love it.
amm i just wanted to ask u or we wanted to ask u to make an energy ball tutorial just like the one in dragon ball evolution.
thank you.
Alex
14 years ago
Hey Andrew, I was wondering if you were going to do a tutorial on the fight scene in demon cam. I've always wanted to be able to do those supernatural fight scenes.
14 years ago
fantastic work!
and hay you can buy our apps too coz we made lots of them
Tae
14 years ago
Not sure if this has already been asked but will this app be made available for droid users?
Suesons
14 years ago
hi ,I wanted to know how to cteate a real smoke text...in and out,than ,, I have tried but fail..
Ray
14 years ago
Awesome stuff dude! Really cool to see some more in depth compositing techniques in after effects. The Z-pass trick is extremely usefull (and im working on a production where I needed a simular effect). Kinda could see how everything was done, but watched the whole tutorial for the Z-depth pass and also learnd some about keying aswell. I'd like to see more composit stuff in the future. keep up the good work and thank you so much for your time and effort.
14 years ago
Hi....Andrew
I just wanted to know how to create an Skull buring Effect Effect like in the movie Ghost Rider in After effects using Fire elements...plz let me know..
spevilgenius
14 years ago
As always, Andrew delivers an excellent tutorial! I like all the effects in the whole Demon Cam shot! I can't wait to see a tutorial on the shattering ball. I love 3DS Max and After Effects! This site is my favorite!
Chad
14 years ago
I learned so much from the 'Planet of the Apes' reference. Thanks so much.
PAX Productions
14 years ago
Now I only want to see the spell casting magic stuff from the film and the crystal ball stuff And how to project IMAGES inside a crtystal ball like they do in real feature films
14 years ago
that was really awesome...andrew..can you give us another tutorial with fight scene? please..iwant to see this so match..thanks..


I am from belguim
14 years ago
what's up andrew kramer, i'm roberto i live in guatemala city, i need know what carreer follow to learn about of "after effects, photoshop, etc..", because i love create movies and edit videos...god bless you
David T
14 years ago
You may want to look into film or visual effect courses e.g. film studies
David T
14 years ago
in the second part of the tutorial, wouldn't it be easier to just use a mask and expand it as she moves forward to make it appear she is coming out of the portal (nose first) ?

God Bless Andrew your tutorials have helped me so much
14 years ago
hey andrew exellent exellent tutorial !!

please more tutorial for the 3D effect !! if you can


thank's thank's
Dr_Stef
14 years ago
Hi Andrew. Thanks again for the directions,
here is my end result.

Hope u like it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9IVPwN9Bbo

I decided to be ultra-cheesy and make the source
of the portal's power come from the amulet haha.
(also used twitch and glow to make a weird reveal)
Mompremier
14 years ago
Not too bad, but why dont u put a keyframe to the woman, to scare in or out?
Grscfide
14 years ago
Andrew???.why in movies that have vfx???..i saw alot of artists about 100 or 200 artists???
10 graphic designer and cg artist and roto painter???
why this all about although 10 or 20 can finish the movie
Dr_Stef
14 years ago
Even though I didn;t get to the Zpass part, I
learnt a lot from your different chroma keying techinque .
That knowledge will come in most handy

Thanks Andrew!
Awesome
14 years ago
What the heck man..there is lens flare all over the Super 8 movie...How can it not be Optical Flares? All of those flares look just like optical flares!!!
14 years ago
I will have to try this when i get home
Sam
14 years ago
Andrew....why in movies that have vfx.....i saw alot of artists about 100 or 200 artists...
10 graphic designer and cg artist and roto painter...
why this all about although 10 or 20 can finish the movie
Tangles
14 years ago
When I and download the tutorials, they download fine but when they open, the audio cuts out and restarts later, making the video and audio out of sync by a few minutes. Can anybody help me?
Mompremier
14 years ago
Can Anyone Answer me? what is the minimun laptop require for doing Motion Graphic and Visual effect film, i mean
The Ram Memory?
The Power? in ghtz
Hard disk Memory? or Back up memory?
which Windows?
32 or 64 bit? what's the better?
If i want to put these softwar in it.
3ds max 2010, Unreal Devlopment Kit, Adobe's Photoshop, audition, premiere pro, encore and After effect. Fuity loops.
Stephen Kennedy
14 years ago
Mompremier, your answer really all depends on what you are using and what versions of the programs you are using. Newer versions have stiffer system reqs. Check out the min. requirements for your programs, find out which has the highest reqs, and *BAM!* there is your answer.

Obviously, more power/ram/etc. is better, generally speaking. Win 7 is solid, and always go with 64bit system and os when you can (and when the software you use supports it). It will be a lot more efficient with the resources you give it.

Lastly...I recommend that in the future, you ask these type of questions elsewhere, (there are tons of useful forums out there) as they do not have anything to do with this tutorial ^_^
Mompremier
14 years ago
Doing some tuts are very cool, but Andrew let us suffer too much! After many month waiting for a good tuts like this, i thought u will put maybe 2 or 3 tuts online in this week, its only one, the portal. Where is the 3d house build in 3ds max? the power scene? the falling ball breaking in multi pixels? the Advanced Demon transform? the disintegration of the women from the portal. I think they are the Core, the most wanted tuts around the world. why u take so mush time to do them? still tha haitian man. Hey Andrew! question very Important to me, Listen When Sam hold the Ball, the area where sam is, is this from UDK environment, by the way i mean if u make the environment in Unreal Develpment Kit, its really powerful, i Thought there is a film named TRON LEGACY, there use a part of UDK in. Hit me! or anyone who have a idea try it. But Andrew and the Videocopilot team u re tha best like DJ Khaled's team.
Aamir
14 years ago
When is Element gonna come out !?! I'm gonna get it the first day it's out !!!
redinou
14 years ago
Quote : Andrew Kramer
Coming soon. I?ll be posting some info next week.

Guys, you should read all the blog sometimes, you can find the answer of your question
Grscfide
14 years ago
hey
where you gonna post freezing and crashing woman tutorial?
very important
Giovani
14 years ago
Hey Andrew, I was wacthing SUPER 8 movie, and I saw something really cool.

Main Title Design - Andrew Kramer.

lol.
14 years ago
Firs time I'm posting. I learned so much from Andrew Kramer that I own my entire carrier to him. Thank you very much Andrew.
14 years ago
Your tutorials are always amazing, interesting, and in depth. They've helped me teach myself how to use After Effects and I'm happy with my results: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcNOjuOYV-M

Keep putting up more tutorials and I'll keep learning!
YS
14 years ago
hi,

what camera did you use in this tutorial??
really important to me...
thank
14 years ago
Sony F3
Daluz
14 years ago
Ok, We are 1th sptember and where is ELEMNT 3D?
14 years ago
Coming soon. I'll be posting some info next week.
Daluz
14 years ago
Ok, you said "next week" 1st september...Do you know that each week has 7 days dont you? Man please release the Element 3d! At least a new preview!
14 years ago
hey Andrew.
you mentioned in the tutorial that you used particular to generate the different instances of the smoke element in the original for Demon Cam. I'm sure this stream-lined the work-flow a bit here.What settings did you use in particular to achieve this?

This is a great tut, so many good tips in one watch.

thx.
14 years ago
Will you buy the app I made? It's for vfx folk. Scratch Matchmove.
Izmir
14 years ago
one single world : '' G E N I U S ''
ah shang
14 years ago
thx you so so so much !!!!!!!!the best site ever!
Matthew Sabia
14 years ago
In serous need for some VC! The power has been out here due to Irene for 6 days!
Steely
14 years ago
Hi Andrew, Awesome tutorial; but what about setting up the z depth pass in a 3d program tutorial and where did you get the basic model from? without this info.... we are bit puzzled! Tar!!
14 years ago
I got the model from TurboSquid.com but search the net for a free 3D model of human. Tons of free stuff out there!
14 years ago
I've been stealing ideas from Andrew for years and I've never posted until I saw this last awesome tutorial from the DEMON CAM series. First off, Andrew, Sam, and the rest of the team - you're all geniuses! I owe you most of my paychecks over the years.**

Second, when will you be posting the "bust enhancement" tutorial from the Demon Cam series? I noticed that you used it in almost every shot of the video... Nice work as always.

**I have no plans to actually send you money.
14 years ago
Some things have to be shot practically
michael
14 years ago
thanks man, big up from Morocco
14 years ago
Love the app. The monsters could stay a little longer than a just a couple of frames
Addis
14 years ago
cool stuff 4 all, whose working on chroma keying and other smoking stuffs, i love this a lot
14 years ago
hi
well the tutorial is as always made by THE great ak
the problem about that it's that it's very complicated

wouldn't it be easier to buy a chromatte ?
you know this little thing put on the lenses..

the screen is grey but the device will turn this grey in blue or green without any light problem
of course it's expensive but it can save a you a lot of time..

that been said andrew kramer is still a genius but with the new technologies i hope we 'll have less time to waste tweaking around with all the knobs and parameters
Pavel
14 years ago
Her face is 6 time on mainpage! Very nice!
14 years ago
Great that you keep doing this there is so much more to learn ^^
14 years ago
Any chance of an iPad app? ^^
Mark
14 years ago
I'm always happy when I learn something new from you. I'll definitely adopt this keying technique in the future; It's very clever and allows for some very precise control over the blending colors which is something I couldn't figure out how to do. I've read several books about the core of compositing but never really grasped that final step of HOW to actually do some of the things like spill suppression manually in After Effects.

Thanks again for all of your effort in providing us with these free tutorials!
Vfxpraveen
14 years ago
Super andrew i appreciate u
SpireAndyWolf
14 years ago
Andy Andy Andy....
damn so many tutorials and You can always astonish ppl !
this is reaally sic tut, especially dark portal with 3d

On other hand BIG RESPECT for making ~50mins long turorial

great job mate
Tyler Adams
14 years ago
Great tutorial! Thanks for the awesome color keying tips!
14 years ago
Interesting...
Jithin.k.s
14 years ago
Awesome!................ thankssss................
chidi (flamingpalm)
14 years ago
Well, Andrew you have really come a long way. I've followed your work from the very start. Keep it up. Now great movies have come to the indie level.
Would like to talk with you guys if possible!
14 years ago
i DID make an app. Somewhat agitated fowl. Didn't sell well.
I'd watch this time again for more Planet of the Apes ref. kewl.
Eric
14 years ago
Awesome! I've been waiting for these tutorials! Thank you so much Andrew! I owe you a Beer! If your ever down in Texas let me know!
illd
14 years ago
love the keying technique in combination wit hue&saturation. I am shure this all can be done with keylight alone - but nonbody diggs that whole plugin
usama mahmoud
14 years ago
Thanks a lot????????????.
Todd VanSlyck
14 years ago
A lot of good, solid techniques that can be used for other things. Thanks!
Awesome
14 years ago
Wow...I think after all the tutorials that will be out after this we will be able to make demon cam 2 promo!!! ;p

Anyway, thanks a gazillion for all your efforts and also for retrieving the 'Download Tutorial' link...

(What happened to that link before.......was it lost into those mountains from artbeats.com? ;D)
Mompremier
14 years ago
Oh! my god? the thunder of tuts! Andrew! u re tha best, really powerful tuts, by the way, im tha haitian guy, i really enjoy it, thanks, now we waiting for the destructive Orb, or the scene of when they schoot power, and destroy poeple! plz do them quickle, thanks again, by the way why dont u use trapcode particular to generate the smoke radomly in the portal! and... yeah!, all we need is make thing real
Akshay
14 years ago
Z-Depth trick was really awesome!
Another Great work Andrew!
14 years ago
"stay tuned for more."
Just thanks Andrew!
JP
14 years ago
Andrew, this is a fun tutorial, but what really impressed me is when you incorporated 3D falloff and ZDepth into this shot. That really helped sell the shot and has always been a struggle for me to successfully achieve. This tutorial helped tremendously! FANTASTIC JOB!!
14 years ago
This is the one I have been waiting for thanks again Andrew. And VC team
Yves
14 years ago
For a second there I got really excited thinking it was like an Aperture Laboratories' Portal. Nice tutorial, still.
Bart
14 years ago
I love you, Andrew, like a learner could love his master))))
You are Great!Though Stretching pleasure either)))
14 years ago
what a great way to begin.
14 years ago
Frigging amazing! Gonna try this one when I get home from work.

-Simon
Svetoslav
14 years ago
Hey, Andrew , this is unbelievable exciting tutorial , Do you intend to create a tut for breaking the shpere in video on the iPhone App: Demon Cam ??? ?
14 years ago
Impressed.... perfect chroma key!
PunkVFx
14 years ago
Cool tips for the green screen awesome thanks you
Giuseppe
14 years ago
Sei bravissimo
FAnne uno per il pc!
islamoNET
14 years ago
Very nice Mr ANDREW..wait foor you NEXT
Alzemir
14 years ago
Hello Andrew! I am very impressed with their work. The result is excellent. I am a beginner but I'm learning a lot from his and tutorials and tips. I'm always watching and trying to match possibilities. It is very rewarding. Thank you!
Fdk
14 years ago
Was really looking forward to it..thanks
Joe
14 years ago
Awesome tutorial, as always, Andrew.

Oh, by the way, I have in fact made an app. It's called NetBound.
ubuntu
14 years ago
nice job helps a lot!
Max
14 years ago
Thank you a lot! That really helps me out on a project I´m working on momentarily!

Thanks a lot, indeed.
Adam
14 years ago
Fantastic techniques. Thanks for sharing Andrew - again, you surprise!
iacere
14 years ago
Very nice, helps a lot!
14 years ago
What can I say? Amazing, as always! That color correction was amazing!!!! And you're definitely a genius to find all these ideas, the depth map thing... that was... awesome!!
Keep it up!! You're and you'll always be my number 1 resource for Visual Effects!!
Thanks for all these tutorials!
Arthur
Shuva
14 years ago
Cool Andrew..Just a question did you work done in Gerard Butler and Ralph Fiennes starer film Coriolanus.Because this film's Title style is just as your Procedural Crumble(116) tutorial.
14 years ago
Yay! *watches* I also appreciate the Download link

I will be using some of these techniques in my upcoming short movie series - THE ENCHANTED
14 years ago
This look awesome!
14 years ago
hey videocopilot !!!
You Are my Soual
You are my God
TRN
14 years ago
Very nice tutorial...Thanks...
sing
14 years ago
Finally,I like it.
kalitchou
14 years ago
thx man , but it would be easier to just creat that spesific effect using a 3d program like for exemple the smoke effect of harry potter movies which looks more realistic and flexible . it's just my opinion.
Fabian
14 years ago
Actually they do it like this in the Harry Potter movies. They create the elements, like the smoke in a 3D program and comp them. I doubt it's easier to do EVERYTHING in a 3D program.
markus
14 years ago
but consider the time to render and getting the right settings for smoke simulation, doing it in AE is definitely faster
Jimmy Lau
14 years ago
How the HarryPotter people do this?could you give a video link? thx
Aditya
14 years ago
Finally!
I missed that
"Hey whats up Andrew Kramer here for videocopilot dot net and welcome to another very exciting tutorial..." for a long time.....
KThuvan
14 years ago
Thanks a lot.............
idiaghe anthony
14 years ago
Totally awesome tut... Not to sound gay...but u an angel sent by God for all AE users... Tanks bro
14 years ago
thanks so muchhhhhhhhhhhhhh
badhon
14 years ago
thnx man. very useful...........
14 years ago
nice technics, thx for that!
Silver Dance
14 years ago
ha man gd i pra
14 years ago
You are the best
when next tutorial be
14 years ago
It has everythink which i need.... awsome
Jozz
14 years ago
I was already trying out something to see if I can create something like Demon Cam Film. I missed out a number of things tho. Now I see... Thanks Kramer.
14 years ago
May you write a tutorial: how to make appear this pretty girl at your home with magic!
14 years ago
thanks andrew i llike ittttttttt and love uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Allen
14 years ago
Thankyou so much - been looking forward to the new tutorials coming from DemonCam (which I love!)
nmPraveen
14 years ago
Thanks for a in-depth tutorial.. Waiting for Element plugin..any information on release date?
Mark (Target Productions)
14 years ago
Cool new tutorial - thanks!
14 years ago
Thank you sire.. looking forward to watching this one... And thanks for bringing back the download tutorial link
Christopher Smith
14 years ago
Can't wait to try this one out!
Xavier
14 years ago
I don't see what the big deal is about being the first to post. I still feel the same.?
14 years ago
It's a sad attempt to validate their time on the net. When you've got no other accomplishments to speak of, being the first to comment, for whatever reason, stands out in their mind as being important.
Zack
14 years ago
Welcome to the internet, please don't feed the trolls.
14 years ago
First to see, extremely excited to watch and learn.

Thanks Andrew and VideoCopilot team!
14 years ago
really like in movies, i like a smoke part