In the Demon Face Warp Tutorial we learned to reverse track by adding expressions. One expression reversed the rotation by multiplying it by -1.

Now I had a question about reverse scaling... I didn't know, until now:

Basically you create a variable inside the final comp where you apply the reverse rotation expression but instead we alt click on the scale and write
m=100/comp("yourPreComp").layer("originalLayer".transform.scale[0];
value*m

So if m=400%, then 100/400=.25, and .25*100% is 25%. And 25% of the now 400 percent image is now back to the original size.
To create the layer variable, you can pickwhip the scale of the precomposed layer as shown in the tutorial. Then add [0] so that you only use one of the scale values for the width.

Try it out and hopefully you can use it in the future.

EDIT for Clarification: When you motion stabilizing something with 2 points you can calculate the rotation and scale from the Motion Tracking Menu, this scales up or down as needed to keep the 2 points the exact distance appart. Thanks for bringing this up Kyle, I'm tired too.

Dele, stumbled upon this great website that is possibly inspired in part by Video Copilot. I think it is an excellent example of adding your own creative twist in addition to some really nice camera work. I'm excited to see people taking the tutorials to the next level ; )

ADMIN NOTE: Please try to keep comments relevant. I love when everyone gets involved and posts comments but lets keep the discussions neat for all visitors and for me, I have to read all these things ; ) I know you guys have great things to contribute... New servers almost ready, please bare with us.

Getting back to Motion Graphics...
I'm working on a new tutorial that will demonstrate practical ways to use gravity and give mass and elasticity to layers.

Watch Sample Video

Download Project File (AE7)

I know I haven't been posting as often but I'm working on some important website updates before we transfer to the new Dedicated Servers. These updates will make it easier for me to post more frequently and some other great features you'll just have to wait and see. I still plan to release a new tutorial every week; although this one may be out on Tuesday or so. Of course, don't worry if there isn't a new tutorial one week, just go outside and play some hopscotch. And I'll let you know when the little Kramer is here. Tick-tock.

I think Sam looks best as a Cartoon!

In the world of the "cartoon look" I don't think there is any QUICK way to make video look like good animation. There are a few plug-ins that are impressive but are nothing more than a cool trick that you add to low quality footage to make it look "Artistic". In the film A Scanner Darkly, dozens of artists were commissioned to animate the entire film BY HAND! They certainly developed techniques that sped up the workflow but overall they ended up drawing on virtually every frame. This was a lot of work but the result was very impressive.

Now the look they went for is very difficult and I don't think I would try to tackle such a complicated process. But I did recently see a very cool hand drawn effect that was like a sketch book come to life. I may do a tutorial to show some techniques I learned along the way.

The truth is this TWO second animation took me about an hour to complete at 12fps. So If I were to animate a 30 second commercial it would take me about 15 hours. Figure about a day or two including a couple of bathroom breaks and a YouTube session, and you will have a very impressive hand drawn commercial. I've done far less in a single day. Just remember not everything is a quick fix and a plug-in away, sometime creativity takes hard work too. Besides, if you get paid $5K to animate a commercial, that's not bad for a single hard day of work.

Hey Everyone!
I've been working hard on some new projects, including setting up the server and a new unknown product set for September. I want to thank Marc Biorklund for his computer help and direction for preparing the new servers and home for Video Copilot. We are laying some impressive ground work that should make the site better and easier to update, which can only mean more content.

I'm still planning a tutorial for monday, and yes it is the day to night one. No baby yet, but sometime in the next couple of weeks, I have a feeling.