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In a recent tutorial Animating a Still, we used tracking data from a real hand-held camera to give our still image a natural look, as opposed to using a mathematical expression like the wiggle. This gave our footage a natural organic look that would be difficult to achieve with expressions.

Then I thought I would try a similar experiment utilizing a real optical rack focus.

So I filmed a dark square while performing a real rack focus to see if I could extract the information inside of after effects to use with a 3D camera.

And since I'm actually posting this, you can assume it worked, unlike my perpetual motion machine that you will never hear about again.

Watch Tutorial Experiment

Download Footage

It's been a while since I've posted a free project file so here is one I've been messing with lately... It uses the CC Hair plug-in to create random moving fibers and then I used the Mirror plug-in to add a classic... well, mirror effect.

Download Project File CS4, just change the font to something you have.

View Sample Video

Our tutorial video player now allows dynamic scrubbing. Basically you can skip to any part of the tutorial without having to download the entire video first.

Benefits:

• Re-watch specific parts or tips quicker
• Skip over bad (but hilarious) jokes
• Watch tutorials in chunks and skip ahead on demand
• Skip over tutorial info and listen to only jokes

Give it a try

Another thing we are working on is the ability to catalog chapter points for easier reference and tracking of in-depth tutorials.

Check out the new Blog Show featuring the most in-depth behind the scenes footage for our recent short 'Payment Plan'.

This blog show includes:

• Original Rough-Cut with Alternate dialogue
• Additional VFX additions
• Art of Hitting Sam in the face
• Workflow Tips

In this tutorial inject life into a still image by creating a 3d-looking camera movement and animate the movement of the smoke. We will also add realistic camera jitter and simulate a rack focus with dirt on the lens.

This tutorial was based on this recent test video that everyone seemed interested in so I put together this tutorial with all of my findings. Enjoy!

Watch Tutorial