New Tutorial: CROSSFIRE! + Video Copilot LIVE! Europe Tour!
January 17th, 2019

BOOM! Hey what's up! Our new Tutorial is online AND we're excited to announce Video Copilot is going on Tour! We've been looking for new ways to get together with the community and showcase other amazing designers at a fun show! We are happy to finally share all the details!

Get Show and Ticket Info Here!

View this post on Instagram

Here are a Few of my favorites! TUTORIAL is ONLINE! #aftereffects #motiondesign #videocopilot

A post shared by Video Copilot (@andrewkramer) on

Download Tutorial Project File

Download Saber Plug-in

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
6 years ago
133 Comments
kiara
5 years ago
I am experiencing issues as well with Rocky_Edge_Aplha.png layers. It is flashing on and off during playback I keep retrying but it just flashes still and its only the top layer doing it.
KJ
5 years ago
Thought i was the only one experiencing this! ???? Im looking for help everywhere because i dont understand why this is happening , everything else turned out perfect besides the rocky edge png flickering on and off! both of mine do it no matter what i do .... i even started the whole project over and it still happens! ANDREW HELP US !
5 years ago
so happy for you guys in Europe.Enjoy the big show! and to Andrew,very looking forward that one day you may come to China or anyplace in east Asia,not matter how much will it cost,I will be there!Enjoy the trip ,enjoy the show!
5 years ago
Thanks!
Michael Faraday
5 years ago
Hi there guys can anyone assist? I am experiencing some troubles with one of the "Rocky_Edge_Aplha.png" layers. It is flashing on and off during playback. If I move the slice layer enough it will turn as well. I cant work out what the issue is. Some assistance would be much appreciated!
Walter
5 years ago
The best of the best...
Mako
5 years ago
Thanks a lot! <3
Sam jadhav
5 years ago
Sir thank you so much...
Ur great..????
Umesh Prasad
6 years ago
you are rocking sir,,,, sir when ur coming to india
6 years ago
Thanks for all you guys do
6 years ago
Useful and effective tutorial you have made and shared on public . I'm just impressed to see your shared . Thank you .
6 years ago
thank you so much for tutorial thats always useful for me in my works.also how can i get the tickets for the show
W.Combs
6 years ago
At 10:46 when we are supposed to double click the rectangle tool to create a mask, my AE keeps creating a "Shape Layer" I have no idea what to do from here and am stuck.
Ken
6 years ago
You have to have the layer you want to create a mask for selected. If no layer is selected, Ae generates a shape layer.
6 years ago
It took some time but worked for me. I would also love to see the use of swapping effect on the text?
amazing like always, i love your blog, thank you so much for tutorial thats always useful for me in my works
Josh Reynolds
6 years ago
What you manage to achieve with mostly all primative effects is nothing short of astonishing. It's truly inspiring - but you've been hearing that for a decade at least.

In any case, I'm sure you'd find a healthy crowd of VFX enthusiasts in Australia if you ever felt the need to explore the live show format Down Under. We'd love to have you.
Chris DeVere
6 years ago
Is this something that could be recreated in whole or even mostly using Element 3D?
6 years ago
Create your Element 3D text, Pre-comp it, then follow the tutorial from there.
6 years ago
Great tutorial. Learn something new every time I stop by this site.
GGWP
6 years ago
For me at 30min is already done my work lol, just can't follow the tutorial anymore!
bp
6 years ago
CROSSFIRE Project! AE file plzz
6 years ago
I believe all of us will be honored to finally meet you!

Good luck Andrew!

Video Course Center
http://VideoCourseCenter.com
Johnny Martinez
6 years ago
I am at position 20:00 in the Crossfire tutorial and when I alt click on color to slice color linking tint and Saber which provides the option too change color options on Slice layer I keep getting a warning effect disabled notice. I have repeated reviewing the tutorial just to make sure I am not missing anything and was making such good progress. How can I overcome and solve this issue?
Johnny Martinez
6 years ago
I'm at 40:34 in the tutorial and when I alt-click on color to slice"color" linking tint with Saber I keep getting a disabled effect warning. How can I solve this as I keep reviewing the tutorial to make sure I have not missed anything and was making such good progress.
M. Bilal
6 years ago
Hi VideoCopilot Teams thank you for new tutriol
But i have some issue. I cant downlaod the cc hexTile plug in please can you snd me?
Zia khan
6 years ago
I have been waiting for something like this. Many thanks to Andrew and i think i cant do this any way thanks sir thanks agen
Omizu
6 years ago
Great video again.

I tried to made the effect work like on the Video Copilot logo in the introduction, where part of the 3D logo are ripped from the 3D logo but I can't make it work, I still have edgeds -_-
Anyone knows how to do it?
6 years ago
Hey, Andrew...hw u doing...? i don't know if u may be not seen the comment i wrote before on youtube @ your live tour post and again am from Ethiopian so regarding with your recomendation "invite me at your home city or wat ever it is am very excited to se ya on live tour in my country so if you are intrested i can communicate with film maker peopels in my contry to prepare event for your show... .
6 years ago
You guys should do a working vacation in Vancouver.
kim
6 years ago
The project file is not in the zip on the download...
LWAddict
6 years ago
That's right.
Just everything you need to follow along and create the project file yourself.
6 years ago
Please please please come to New Zealand.
We can have you stay in a tent in our garden to help the budget!
6 years ago
Thanks for yet another exciting tutorial jam packed with procedural goodness! Talk about getting your money's worth... I can make a 45 tut last 2 weeks or more, rewinding 15 seconds at a time BARGAIN!!! Seriously, when I break these down into mini-sections, there's a wealth of technique to be learned in every segment. You can race through the tut, and paint-by-numbers to get the final product, or do like I do and take the rabbit hole approach and not worry about the finish line to maximize the learnin' and what not.
NinjaGsm
6 years ago
HURRAY!!!
I connected the text layer, color picker and crossfire angle to an external Text file. Altered some expressions here and there!
Now its all damn procedural!!
I'll just update the text file and load the ae file in Media encoder and just hit render!
Every time without having to break a sweat!!
Thanks VCP
Carlos
6 years ago
Great tips dude! However all native plugins, good to make some disclaimer telling us mortals to download some (free) stuff from your site. Merry xmas and an excellent 2025!
Michael Mathes
6 years ago
Thanks for all you guys do! I wish you great success on your tour. You deserve it.
6 years ago
Great video tutorial again.
Having tour is a great IDEA!!!
Good luck Andrew!

Video Course Center
http://VideoCourseCenter.com
Eric Terrill
6 years ago
Hey Andrew, quick question PLEASE if you have a minute. Still learning Ae. How did you get multiple destruction points on the VCP logo in the video?? I'm racking my brain trying to figure it out lol. Please help and thanks in advance!!
Terry
6 years ago
Andrew, it would be nice if you could answer some questions concerning this tutorial.
6 years ago
"The possibilities are infinite.
Will I ever run out of ideas for tutorials? Probably"
Comedy embedded in the mind of a VFX genius.
Thanks for another free & entertaining tutorial.
My students love you.
Greg
Ronn Kilby
6 years ago
Note that's the late Don LaFontaine's voice-over in the Crossfire spot.
Prince
6 years ago
I have been waiting for something like this. Many Many thanks to Andrew and the crew for making this happen.
Paul Pickett
6 years ago
Thank you for all you do Andrew! I would be lost without you. Have a great one!
6 years ago
Noooooo all tickets sold out for the London event!! Put on another day!! We'll fill it promise!
6 years ago
Great tutorial! So much fundamental AE techniques are utilized for a really great looking effect. Great work as always. My question is, how was the Rocky_Edge_Alpha_Thin image created? Could that be a quick little tutorial or blog post? Such a cool little useful image that really helps sell this look. Curious if I could create a different look by building that piece from scratch. I'll be in Barcelona in July, so I'll have to wait for a US tour date to check out. So cool you folks are taking this badassery on the road! Thank you!
Michael Mathes
6 years ago
Hey Andrew, I ended up building my own using pretty much the same techniques that he used to create the text texture(cell pattern, curves turbulent displace, fractal noise, roughen edges)+(cc glass, curves, ae lighting). I didn't spend a ton of time on it, it turned out alright. I don't think it was as good as the one Andrew used but with a little more tinkering I think it could be.
6 years ago
Awesome TUT AK !!! I'm going to try to integrate this concept with E3D possibly with the Building Destruction Tutorial as well, looks like some great possibilities there...so excited to have some free time to play !!!! Great Job AK and best of luck on your Europe Tour. Don't forget to Try the Beer when you are in Germany !! lol
DAVE FLEURY
6 years ago
I have tried this tutorial a few times now and I am having some difficulty with my bevel profile. I don't seem to get nearly the amount of effect out of it. It seems to be creating more of a blurry mess than a sharp profile and bevel like Andrew is getting. I am at 32 bits. I have to CRANK the contrast of all the layers that comprise the bevel profile comp just to get any of the glass displacement. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
6 years ago
Super great work Kramer! , really been looking forward for this super exciting tutorial . This is one of your greater works. But would be nice if you could do a little short guide aswell for how to do it with a .ai logo aswell. Because i've been struggling hours now on how to get it to work with a simple logo. And it won't workout for me. Maybe im just having a mental graphic breakdown or otherwise it's just not as simple as it should be.

Kindly regards
Miguel
GB
6 years ago
I've been using After Effects for 25+ years and I learn something every time I watch one of your tutorials!

Also, have you ever thought about creating a "Glow" plugin? Saber has such a fantastic glow it would be great to be able to use it as a glow effect.
Mike F
6 years ago
You should check out the 'Deep Glow' plugin at aescripts. It's not free, but really wonderful accurate glow.
Nick
6 years ago
Hello Andrew i`m from russia.I wery exiting ypur tutorials thank you.Good Luck
Miltons
6 years ago
Sueño con que venga a Guatemala, pero es mas facil que Trum deje entrar a los Hodureños que vengas aka Andrew Kramer es increible lo que haces y no solo eso con los que has ayudado a muschos y no solo en tu país, en el mundo entero. Gracias por tus aportes un fuerte abrazo para vos y tu familia...
LARGA VIDA A "Andrew Kramer"
MARCO BELLETTI
6 years ago
Oh god. I wanna book in Berlin even only to have a selfie with you somehow. You are a star to me. I have a job and a family thanks to what I learned from your tutorials!
Can't wait to see you live, dude!
6 years ago
You got it!
Dan Wood
6 years ago
Damn, super clever! Nice work as always!
NinjaGsm
6 years ago
Great Tutorial!!
around the part where he adjusts the lightness with hue/saturation effect was not procedural.
Instead I just added one more adjustment layer and used change color effect with lightness:5, tolerance:5, softness:15% and connected the color to splice layer > color control. Its not quite accurate as Andrews technique but seems procedural.
Any body have any idea on that part?
Douglas Gemmell
6 years ago
That was a great tutorial. Thank you for doing all you do for the digital community. Here is a little destruction with the KC-Pats game in mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC0lKcM72TE
6 years ago
Noooo!!!

All tickets gone for London. Sad times!!!! Please tell me you are recording the sessions so we can watch them either live or later?
6 years ago
Hi there Andrew
I must say i'm so happy to finaly see you doing such amazing things with a lots of informations and explanation and its not with 3rd party plugins and such. Just trying to recreate this effect with some tweaking from my end.
I was trying to get tickets to see at your live show in London at 26th of jan but before i went to the website all was sold I will try to be quicker next time Thanks again for all that knowladge pal hope to see more in the future
Tony
6 years ago
Hey Andrew, Can you please tell how you made that stylish text reveal effect in your LIVE TOUR video trailer??
djounad
6 years ago
Hi Andrew, what about your Visit to North Africa !!
djounad
6 years ago
It's a great and amazing tutorial BRAVO
Simon
6 years ago
News at last, great! it will be amazing to see the the new E3D unveiled, I mean, it's been YEARS since the last version and the fact that it is VCPs showpiece product (strange that no tutorials for ages have included it?) however, i'm sure details will emerge of its unveiling, or release date, I mean, If it is NOT mentioned at any of these huge European City venues, you can only assume it is discontinued.

Sometimes its not what is said, more what is NOT said, we can only hope.
Paul
6 years ago
Andrew, Fantastic Tutorial !!! Following along with your tutorials always expands concepts and ideas for us novices.
Your explanations are awesome , most presenters just demonstrate what to click and tick and not why.
Love your work. A CUT ABOVE THE REST. I second Siyanda come to South Africa
6 years ago
Great work! Look forward for new tutorials for Element 3D or will be better announce of E3D v3
6 years ago
Amazing Effect..!!!! Thanks you for the new tutorial.!!!
Chris
6 years ago
It's a little misleading to call it "100% after effects" when it uses the saber plugin. Still a great tutorial though.
skelatorrr
6 years ago
its a free plugin made easier by videocopilot from built in after effects EFFECTS.
6 years ago
Booked in Paris.
I'm super happy
6 years ago
On se voit là-bas!
6 years ago
See you in Berlin. My Girlfried is joining just because i am this hyped. Seconds After seeing the post i called many people to dont miss the tickets. So currently we are arriving as a 5 heads pilot army. Mr. Kramer, Community, i freak out, see you!
6 years ago
It will be a pleasure to meet!
Rob
6 years ago
Before I book - just wondering will the live shows be in English or French / German / Spanish ?... you just never know when it comes to Mr Kramer, man of many talents
6 years ago
Mostly English!
Rob
6 years ago
Good to hear! Thanks for the reply.
Hopefully you might talk at Offset in Dublin sometime, you would be made feel very welcome here in Ireland.
Chris
6 years ago
hello Andrew and all the team of VideoCopilot
Thank you for this new tutorial
and thank you for live show tour
I would be happy to meet you in Paris
cordially
Nemida
6 years ago
Booked in Barcelona :OOO
I cant believe it I cant even breath omgomgomgomgogmogmogmg Andrew Kramer wiiii
Nina
6 years ago
Super tut . Andrew u r god of ae. So complicated project. Can u share its ae file ?? . Plz andrew . Plz . Plzzzzzz
Chris70
6 years ago
Thanks you for the new tutorial and coming to Paris for the show
I???m very exited and happy
Chris70
6 years ago
Thanks you for the new tutorial
Siyanda
6 years ago
Andrew brah come to South Africa
NinjaGsm
6 years ago
Amazing tutorial!! no doubt!
But I noticed something, sorry that I have to be the one to ruin it. All past 3 tutorials except the orb one, are all based on the same cc glass technique, one had a decay fx and this one has crossfire, thats it. Not sure why andrew is so obsessed with "fake 3d, native after effects only tutorials". In some of his Instagram posts you can see some amazing E3d works. Looks like Video copilot is turning from a great active site into a semi active, slightly opaque vfx repository.
*No 3d stuff anymore
*No E3d update or news on that
*No Action essentials anymore (really not a problem but just pointing out)
*No Paradigm shift tutorials ( Yes we had lot of mindblowing ones when I grew up with this community)
I guess since Andrew a started working in blockbusters there are lots of changes with Video copilot.
We are really happy for Andrew reaching heights, But being left in the dark feels kinda bad.
Shedding a little light, we would feel nothing but more happier.
Hope these live tours would do it. Cant wait for it. Looking forward to it.
Josh
6 years ago
Pretty bold to complain after a great 40 minutes Tutorial. What exactly do you offer the community?
6 years ago
How about beautiful Houston, Texas?
Kavinsnap
6 years ago
You're On Next Level Andrew Thanks For The New Tutorial
John
6 years ago
I am so gutted. Just went to buy tickets for the London show and its sold out. I should have bought the tickets before watching the very exciting tutorial.

Are there any plans to increase the capacity?
Tony
6 years ago
so happy for you guys in Europe.Enjoy the big show! and to Andrew,very looking forward that one day you may come to China or anyplace in east Asia,not matter how much will it cost,I will be there!Enjoy the trip ,enjoy the show!
Matías
6 years ago
I will come to Barcelona to take selfie with effect king Andrew and particle master Fabian!
Vincent
6 years ago
We need you at Montreal ! Big city of mutlimedia!!!
Wayne Heywood
6 years ago
Not really bothered anymore...
Russell Zubeck
6 years ago
take the show to British Columbia, Vancouver
6 years ago
Dear Andrew and the whole videocopilotteam!
I'm very excited that you are coming to Berlin just as Berlinale is getting started. You are one of the main reasons i got into VFX and i want to thank you for that.
I'd like to extend an invitation to all of you to come to our yearly Berlinale Party on Friday 8th of February. Just hit me up via mail and i'll send the golden tickets your way

Love and greetings from all at moviebrats,
Moritz
Albert
6 years ago
Hi,
You forgot Italy. Rome, Venice... Never mind, see you in Paris.
Shubhy
6 years ago
I need dat Rocky Edge Aplha Thin
Frank
6 years ago
...paused it after seconds. Booked a ticket - booked a Hotel in Berlin. Pressed continue...
6 years ago
Thank you Frank! See you at the show!
Tony
6 years ago
good for you sir
Bader Alhammad
6 years ago
Andrew, How can you do the same procedure with E3D while the text is in 3d perspective.
Antony
6 years ago
What a great tutorial as always. For your next tour consider visiting Athens See you there haha!
Marco
6 years ago
Great tutorial. I bet on the tour there is the world premiere of intercept. I am ready for it - see You in Berlin.
Radosław Kędzia
6 years ago
Hi. Mr.Andrew pls upload a full project to editing.
Lucian
6 years ago
Hey Andrew! What about Italy? You should includ Italy as the 5th city in your tour!
6 years ago
man this fx on air plane destruction its hollywood movie man s+++t
Jag
6 years ago
Selfie is included with the ticket?
Angel
6 years ago
Dear Andrew and VC Team, I just got my ticket and can't wait for the London event.
I've been following your website since 2009 when I was looking for a Lightsaber tutorial .
I believe all of us will be honored to finally meet you!
Regards, Angel
6 years ago
Hell YES! I'm hyped
BhodhiRaja
6 years ago
Hi,
I saw your video tutorials on VFX from youtube! I need your help! Can you create a 60seconds video of the following letters with shockwave effects please! Im not a professional in editing VFX, but I wish you could help me out.

R??VEN ESPORTS (I need a 60secs video of this with shockwave vfx please help me out)
Ran
6 years ago
welcom to china! I hope you come to here~
Chris
6 years ago
Andrew, any future U.S. dates for the live show planned?
Ran
6 years ago
welcom to china! I hope you come to here~
Paolo
6 years ago
VC EUROPEAN LIVE TOUR is great news! Already got my ticket for the Paris event.
This site has changed my life, I mean : for real. After more than 20 years in the design business I was a relatively 'bored' graphic designer. I started learning AE and Element3D on this site, for a change, and for a bit of fun. Few years later, it has become my main business. And I love it. I just wanted to share my experience, and say THANKS!
Mark
6 years ago
Dude, you know, I`m living in Berlin since...ever, but I`m lazy and the weather is cold and ugly in February here, so please could you take the U8 subway from Hermannplatz and come over to my place for a personal presentation? You could even stay here. Hope you don`t mind the mess, though...
Ashik Alam Leo
6 years ago
Hey Andrew,
My name is Leo, and you are always welcome to my country "Bangladesh".
It's been over 8 years, I'm watching your tutorials. You are my mentor my guru, you've always encouraged me.
I always wanted to meet with you in person. If I ever go to California, can I get a chance to meet with you and a tour of video copilot?
Have a great tour. waiting for the Live.
Thanks
David Montes Montes
6 years ago
Sooo amazing!!!! Eager to see you in barcelona!!! Tickets biiked!!! See y'all there!!!

Ten years back I discovered the AE world and your site, it's time to meet the men behind VC.
6 years ago
Hi VC
amazing
Always a great tutorial
Please come to Iran ...
Thank you
Trex
6 years ago
And get arrested!
k1
6 years ago
thank you so much Andrew!
Gabriel
6 years ago
Hey Andrew,

Have a blast (no pun intended) in your Euro Trip! Next tour, think of visiting MONTREAL as a potential destination? I'm myself a Montrealer, from Canada and I've been working as a VFX compositor for studios like MPC and RodeoFx and I know there is a big crowd of VFX artists that would want to meet you and the videocopilot team. Cheers, all the way from Montreal!
6 years ago
superlative tutorial
Chanel
6 years ago
When are you coming to tour in the states?!?!?!
ECHAN
6 years ago
is there any possible to come to china for live show?
khireddine Ouazaa
6 years ago
please bring the show to Dallas, i`ve been learning from you since the beginning of videocopilot, it`s about time we meet face to face..
Jhony
6 years ago
i am sorry to never lost hope for your awesome tutorial mr. kramer...
Vince
6 years ago
Thanks for another amazing tutorial.
Patrick
6 years ago
Any chance there will be a video stream available of any of the shows? I'd pay to watch it.
Simon
6 years ago
That's a great idea does Andrew even read any of this? He never replies - would be nice if we knew what was happening to Element 3D - this question needs to be asked, and answered.
Noel
6 years ago
^this
carnivor13
6 years ago
Scotland! Please come to Scotland
6 years ago
I second this... Come and see the V&A;in Dundee. Might be a cool venue.
6 years ago
Obligatory,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85HSayVAC6U
KAO
6 years ago
Maybe Andrew needed to make the effects for this commercial. lol
6 years ago
Hey Andrew. You always seem to mesh different effects together to create something new and exciting. I imagine you have probably spent enough time trying out all of the native effects inside After Effects, and it seems like you have a bunch that you always use as second nature in different configurations. Just curious if there are any native effects that you've messed around with but never found a use for? Or an oddball paring of effects that created a surprising result like the way you used the checkerboard effect in this tutorial?
6 years ago
Hey Andrew if you're ever in Utah this broke college kid will take you out for bagels or something. Thanks for the work you do!
chris c
6 years ago
im from Utah awell!! live by the lehi area!
Jamminfoo
6 years ago
Live in SLC. Go Utes!
Magnus Olofsson
6 years ago
Always a great experience. All the small things, true care truth brings, in the big tutorials!
6 years ago
Andrew and VC Team, I've been following you for over 10 years now. Learned so much and still learning like this awesome tut. It will be my honor to visit you in Paris and will go for a selfie with Andrew. The man who encouraged me to follow my dream and a career switch.
My wife won't be accompanying me as she's been hearing 'My name is AK and welcome to this exciting tutorial' through the room for over a decade and using pillows to mute his voice.
Let's make a selfie video using your text... she would be thrilled. See you in Paris!
Your dutch friend,
Vincent
DiVi Media.
6 years ago
Done deal!
Rob
6 years ago
Ha ha - My wife actually was ok with me watching your tutorials in front of her as she thinks you're 'that cute guy that does all those videos'. I stopped watching them in front of her

Best of luck in Europe!! Enjoy!!! And bring a hat and coat, it's cold here at the moment!!
Sakata
6 years ago
I dont know, where u get Astrolab text??
Bergy
6 years ago
I totally was singing that "Crossfire" jingle when I saw the title for this tut! AK - thou art hilarious. I love your humor. You have made me enjoy working in AE more than anything.
Andrew Alexander
6 years ago
I am in Romania. I can't afford to get to Germany because I'm an artist )
LWAddict
6 years ago
Dang I was close on this one but still learned a ton already.
Thanks again Andrew and team!
Choi PD
6 years ago
Always much more than expected.
So touched by the greatest work ever!
Thx ANDREW!!!!
Choi PD
6 years ago
1st!
So touched by the greatest work ever!
Thx ANDREW!!!!
J the Second
6 years ago
Welcome to Europe! Welcome to Paris more particularly!
Tim
6 years ago
You're coming to Europe! First time? I can't believe it. Bring your family - they will love it. I hope to meet you in Berlin.
6 years ago
Would fly to one of those cities just to attend the event, but I'm in the middle of a post-production work for a documentary series. Will you come to Vancouver?
LWAddict
6 years ago
Nice website Omid!
Good stuff.
6 years ago
Thanks LWAddict. Andrew Kramer got me into this and a year after my career began. Definitely want to meet him one day to thank him in-person.
vinicius
6 years ago
wheres the download?
6 years ago
Download what? It's a tutorial. There is nothing to download.
AlexPakulichev
6 years ago
They created a link below VC Live video.
6 years ago
Below the video
R-CANE
6 years ago
Yessss... this weekend is gonna be so amazing when I experiment with this tutorial! Thanks a lot and welcome back!!!
6 years ago
I am just going to miss you, will be in Barcelona the week after!
6 years ago
See you in London!
Tosha
6 years ago
Great!!!
6 years ago
Thank you thank you thank you Andrew. Have a wonderful life forever sir.
Ron Albert Ramos
6 years ago
Been waiting for this for ages! Awesome effects! Thank you for your hard work, Andrew. For the free tutorials and everything. You're a freaking legend!