Thinking Particles Basics Tryout

Hi guys!
Welcome to the Thinking Particles Basics series of tutorials. In these video tutorials, we'll be in Cinema4D and take a look at how to use xpresso, how to set up Thinking Particles, as well as some of the cool things you can do with it. At the end, you'll gain a good understanding of Thinking Particles, learn how to approach its problems and also know how to build upon the knowledge to build more complex systems.

The series begins with two videos.

The first is an introduction to Xpresso. If you've used xpresso before, feel free to skip ahead to the next section.

I've been looking to improve the content here, so I figured what better way than to create a video tutorial series, so your feedback is important. As per the title, this is a tryout and I'd really like to hear what you guys think :) Thanks in advance.

Anyway, here you go:

Lesson 0 - Getting to Know Xpresso

Lesson 1 - Getting Started

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Be a Pro like a Pro

Adam Everett Miller of the tutsplus network did this nice little video about working like a professional. Some very useful points he shares, and I recommend you watch it now!!

Original post

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i2c_Proximity - Coming Soon

I recently finished work on a project and I created a nice little preset that assisted me in animating a long list of stuff... Naturally, I'm going to share it with you.

Proximity.

It's yet another batch-animation preset that is based on positions of layers relative to another. (Transit is based on time). For example, if the layers came close to the middle of the comp, they'd scale up and get a bit more opaque (first video) or move slightly off to the side (second video).
As simple as that, but I think the possibilities are plenty!

The demos are with text, yes, but it's easy to change this out for anything...
Also, there'll be an update to Transit. Changed up UI, and a new feature that I think you'll love!

Updates soon. Keep a look out here, on Twitter or on Facebook for more information.

Awesome Iron Man Interface Tutorials

Stefan Surmabojov of AE tuts+ has done a series of tutorials on recreating the Iron Man Holographic Interface as seen in Avengers using only Adobe After Effects. It's an amazingly detailed project and definitely something worth checking out! See the promo for one of the pieces below:

The first part is creating the "Battle Widget" (above) in a 5-part set that covers creating the individual elements, placing them in 3D space and animating the pieces.

Part 1-2 are here, parts 3-5 here.

The second part is creating the "Radar Widget" here.

There's only been one other real tutorial on creating HUD elements, which is by Video Copilot. The VCP tutorial is EVERYWHERE and I'd only recommend that you use it to learn some new techniques, don't just use it directly. Everyone's seen it tons of times before!

Anyway, the Video Copilot tutorial is here.

Enjoy!

Multipass Compositing with Cinema4D and After Effects 02

In the previous part we learnt how multipass works, now we'll take a look at how to save the passes and take them to After Effects.

VFX Breakdown: "In Dire Need" and Camera Mapping

Colin Levy talks about "In Dire Need" and the camera mapping he did for the matte painting. Some really good tips here, especially if you've never done camera mapping before.

"In Dire Need" - Camera Mapping Breakdown from Colin Levy on Vimeo.

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Maxon announces Cinema4D R14

Maxon Computer announced a new version of their 3D-program Cinema 4D, Release 14.

Cinema4D is an easy-to-use application that lets artists achieve high-quality, realistic renders in no time at all. It's fans include mostly motion graphics artists (thanks to its MoGraph module), but it is quickly growing as an all rounder.

R13 added the Physical Renderer and a few workflow tweaks. R14 now comes with some AMAZING new tools, including Digital Sculpting (which can then be converted to displacement and normal maps), new Modelling tools, Integration with the Foundry's Nuke and faster render times with various tweaks to the renderer including GI and Caustics.

The list is long and features some amazing tools! Check out their announcement post here!

Or you could download the demo version and try it for yourself!

What's feature are you looking forward to most?
Leave a comment below! :)