I just had an idea to allow the community to design the graphics for the header that could cycle through for everyone to see. It's not really a contest but I'll make a forum topic where people can post their designs and the VC staff will pick some good ones to publish. Sound good? Good.

Notes:
Must include "Video Copilot" & "Presented By: Andrew Kramer".
Looking for slick inspiring designs and color schemes.
Stay away from any humorous stuff, we want to keep it professional.
No recognizable people or products.
Have fun!

Feel free to use one of our tag lines:
Visual Effects & Motion Graphics
Feeding Creativity with Knowledge
Aspire to create, Create to inspire

File size:
879 x 94

Please don't post anything just yet, I'll get the page ready so we can have them all in one place. Then I will let everyone know on the blog where to post them. Keep your PSDs just in case we have minor format adjustments.

It's no secret that I primarily use 3D Max for animation and I think it is a great tool, but the main reason I use it is because I know how to and I haven't worked on a job that required me to change.

Over the years 3D Max has progressed but it seems the push towards only using their compositing solutions has alienated many After Effects compositors and lacked new features that might encourage better integration as 3D becomes more important.

Cinema 4D:

Now the folks at Maxon and creators of Cinema 4D are continually developing a 3D product that encourages and provides better integration (especially for AE users) with the new 11.5 release. Early on, Cinema 4D was a 3D solution that was easy-to-use but perhaps lacked hard-core 3D features but that was years ago. Now they have all the special rendering , particle generation, AE integration, physics/dynamics, character animation tools, keyboard customization and great motion graphics components.

I've got a bit more to say so be sure to click on the read story link below.

I had a chance to Meet the president Paul a couple years ago at AENY and he really seemed dedicated to listening to customers and innovating where others won't.

Conclusions:
This isn't to say Maya or 3D Max isn't a good choice, in fact I think these programs and other popular 3D apps are powerful and used by many studios and it's exciting to see Cinema 4D showing up more and more. The real truth is that if you understand the world of 3D animation, you can likely transition to whatever program you need to if required.

I encourage everyone to investigate the various 3D programs and even download a demo to find the right app for you. I'm certainly not trying to start a mac VS pc debate on 3D programs so please keep the comments intelligent there is no need for bashing of any program. Besides I'm mainly an After Effects guy anyway.

I just wanted to tip my hat to a company that keeps us in mind on the innovation pathway.

Cinema 4D R 11.5 New Features

Cinema 4D Nab Reel

PS, this is not a sponsored advertisement obviously but if anyone at Maxon wants to sent me a gift-card or a TV. Just let me know :)

When things go bad, they really go bad! Here was the scene recently at my presentation in Los Angeles. Seems wherever I go, people just boo me :(

In reality it was a great meeting and the group was really supportive, oh wait... that was a different meeting. This one was good too though. Big thanks to everyone for coming, I hope to do it again!

When opportunity knocks, it helps to have a camera. OK, so this replica Oval Office may not be the real thing but it is a cool backdrop for something...

To fair, I have no idea what anyone is going to do with this but it just seemed cool to have a 180-degree view inside the home of the greatest US president.

Sample Video HD
Download AE Project and Images (CS3 .aep & jpgs)

I combined several pictures into a panoramic using the panoramic script from AeScripts.com, which is an After Effects script marketplace, where you might finds things you didn't even know you needed.

Feel free to use for your projects but please refer to our License for usage.

BTW:
I don't post often but some people have wondered about our twitter page.

Here is a fun example that uses Normality on a pre-composed particle system emitting a custom texture. I used Trapcode Particular because the Depth of Field option blends the Normals unique coloring together, for a more liquid concoction.

Watch Sample Video (720p HD)
High Quality Pic (see the real colors...)

You can download the blob-element as part of the project files for the latest Normality Tutorial.

One of the interesting benefits of using a normal pass element as a particle (instead a pre-rendered one with shading and reflections), is the viscous coupling generated by the depth of field. The other benefit is happening is the random movement of the highlights in the glob. Even the reflections have variable coverage, which adds to the feel of the scene.

Normality is a 3D re-lighting tool for After Effects which introduces some interesting opportunities when used with other techniques like particle systems. I've also had some fun tests using CC Mr. Mercury but they were a little bit flat looking so I used multiple copies with variable settings. Of course, experimentation is the key to discovery!

Stay curious my friends...

For more information on this free plug-in Normality:
Watch latest tutorial & read our Normals Guide

Using Custom Particles in AE:
Watch Medical Zoom Tutorial or the recent Particle Explosion Tutorial!