Adobe has a great website called Kuler that helps create useful color schemes to jump start the design process. This site allows you to upload an image and create swatches from the tones within. It also has options on how to interpret the colors for specific looks or tone styles.

If you are in need of some color inspiration, this is a great place to start. Visit Kuler

Now if you need some more inspiration, I would start by checking out some of the Video Copilot Products!

Alright, I Just got back last night from the After Effects New York meeting. The room was jammed packed and everyone seemed very enthusiastic. My usual audience consists of a microphone and cold root beer. Admittedly, I was a little nervous at first but everyone was very friendly and I had a great time up there. It was also nice to meet so many of you and I appreciate everyone stopping by.

I don't have any photos or videos to show other than the proof from above but in the future I will be making a few tutorials about some of the techniques demonstrated. For now, we should have another After Effects tutorial this week and I can settle back in to California time.

If anyone has pictures from the meeting, please email them over, my wife would love to see how ridiculous I looked :)

Here is a sample of what's coming up on Video Copilot. The idea is to make your CG objects cast shadows in the real world. The first image shows a Text Layer in AE casting a shadow on the street using a transparent solid layer. The second example is a 3D object with a matte/shadow material on a floor plane. This material allows only the shadow to render on the object so you are able composite in a live action scene.

The free AENY meeting is around the corner and I'm still not sure what I'll be presenting but I'm sure it will be exciting or at the very least you will get your money's worth. I'll be joined by Aharon Rabinowitz, Jim Geduldick and Adobe's Dennis Radeke, so I'm sure it will be plenty of fun.

Now I just have to pack some shorts, squeeze out half of my toothpaste and find a ride to the airport.

The information about the meeting is can be found at the AENY website.

Christopher at Lightning Rod Studios in Wisconsin was nice enough to put together a write up tutorial for Cinema 4D users on the latest 3D vines Tutorial.

Download Written Tutorial

Thanks Christopher!