Strap on your diving gear, we're jumping in. Introducing the industry's first Advanced Motion 3 tutorial, “Deep Dive into 3D”. In this 4- hour plus tutorial, Apple-certified master trainer Mark Spencer takes you on a deep-sea exploration of Motion’s 3D universe. You'll learn how to work with objects and cameras in 3D space, create virtual 3D sets, place lights, and direct your cameras using Behaviors and Keyframes. If you think working with Text,Shapes, Replicators and Particle Emitters is amazing in 2D, wait unit you see what can be created when these objects are transformed and manipulated in 3D.
This tutorial was designed specifically for current users of Motion 3 who already have a foundational understanding of the program. For those of you who who need to get up to speed, we highly recommend purchasing and going through our introductory Motion tutorial, "Motion 3 Fast Forward" before diving into this tutorial. Motion 3: Deep Dive into 3D is presented in 12 easy-to-follow lessons and include all the necessary project and media files for following along in your own copy of Motion.
We created this tutorial for the simple reason that many Final Cut Pro and Motion users, while comfortable working in a 2D environment, seem to get a bit "queasy" when 3D requests for 3D animations come in from their clients. If you have unspoken (or spoken) phobias about working in 3D, you'll find Mark Spencer an able captain, who approaches his subject matter with authority and humor.
Starting with the first lesson, you will learn basic 3D seamanship by mastering the 3D compass, commanding the 3D Transform Tools, and navigating your way around Motion's 3D world using Viewports and the 3D Grid. As you progress through each lesson, you will build on your knowledge to create increasingly complex 3D animations and effects. By the time you finish lesson 12 you should have the confidence and know-how to begin tackling any 3D projects you or your clients can dream up.
Understanding how anchor points work in the 3D world is the key to creating multi-sided objects such as cubes. In Lesson 5 you will build a 3D cube entirely from Drop Zones for the purpose of replacing each "side" with still or moving images.
Build Your Own Sets
With Motion's incredible 3D tools you can build virtual sets complete with lights and a keyed actor. In Lesson 7, you'll deconstruct a kitchen set from a cooking show, then spice up the scene with a realistic camera move.
Paint in the 3rd Dimension
In Motion, Particle Emitters can behave like Paint Strokes. In Lesson 9 you will learn the secret to having your paint strokes wrap around objects. This is an awesome technique to have in your hip pocket when you need to add some sizzle or sparkle to a product shot.
Trip the Light Fantastic
In Lesson 6 you will become a virtual Gaffer and learn how to light your scenes using Ambient, Spot and Point Lights. You will also learn how to animate and "gel" your lights to create different looks and moods.
Inflate Your Text
Replicators are Motion's "Secret Weapon" and knowing how to use them can open up a world of options. In addition to using them for building 3D video walls, Mark will show you his killer trick for turning flat text objects into fully extruded, 3D text objects!
Explore a Carnival of Possibilites
In Lesson 11 you will start with a single vector image of a painted horse and through the magic of Replicators you will build a fully functioning carousel then place it in a virtual "park" for your cameras to crane and dolly through. This lesson will have you falling out of your chair in amazement (and amusement).
Make Stand Up Text
Why settle for flat type on a path when you can click a magic button and have your type stand up and face the camera. When combined with a 3D Text Sequence Behavior and a Wriggle Behavior, your text will definitely "get jiggy wit' it".
It Came From Outer Z-Space
In lesson 12, you will have enough knowledge to create a "UFO" from animated Paint Strokes and Lights, then track the UFO down a rain-soaked highway built entirely from Shapes, Particle Emitters and Replicators. You'll even add realistic camera jitter as you "follow" the UFO over the southwest terrain.
These are just a few of the projects you will be creating as you dive deep into Motion's 3D universe. But there is more. A lot more. Check out the Table of Contents to see just how much stuff we packed into this training.
Watch on Apple TV
In addtion to the QuickTime tutorial movies, we've formatted all the tutorials for playback Apple TV. This means you can sync our tutorials with iTunes, then sit back on your sofa, remote in hand, and watch the tutorials on your Hi-Def monitor connected over DVI. The picutre quality is stunning.
Who is this Tutorial for?
Anyone desiring to take their knowledge of Motion to the next level will benefit greatly from this tutorial. This tutorial was designed specifically for users of Motion 3 who already have a foundational understanding of the program. For those of you who need to get up to speed, we highly recommend purchasing our introductory Motion product, "Motion 3 Fast Forward" before diving into this tutorial.
What's on this DVD-ROM?
The entire tutorial comprises 12 lessons with a running time of aproximately 4 hours. Each lesson can be viewed
as a stand-alone module. However, because of the complex nature of this subject matter we recommend watching each lesson in its entirety and in order. All lessons include chapter markers so you can go back and watch the sections you need to review. All the project files and media are included with this tutorial in case you want to follow along in your own copy of Motion 3.
About the Instuctor
Mark Spencer is a bay area-based producer, editor, teacher and writer. He owns Day Street Productions, Inc. (www.daystreet.com), a production and post studio focused on corporate video. Mark is also an Apple-certified instructor teaching regularly at BAVC, Stanford University and MacWorld. Mark is the author of the Apple Pro Training Series book Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio, contributing author of the APTS Motion book, and author of the Motion Visual Quickstart Guide, all from Peachpit Press.
Keeping Camera Behaviors Intact While Rearranging Sets
Using the Zoom In/Out Behavior
Animating Cameras with Keyframes
Using Proxies to Increase Performance
Spreading Out Sets in 3D Space
Using Markers to Time Animations
Animating to Audio Cues
Animating the Camera by Recording Keyframes
When to Set Manual Keyframes
Framing vs. Viewpoint Cameras
Understanding the Walk Camera Tool
Using Frame to Animate
Changing Keyframe Interpolation
Mixing 2D and 3D Groups
Cutting Between Cameras
Building a 3D Cube
Working with Drop Zones
Getting Precise with Rulers and Guides
Understanding the Importance of the Anchor Point
Building 3D Objects from 2D Planes
Resetting Multiple Anchor Points Simultaneously
Creating Animations with Parameter Behaviors
Building Sets by Duplicating Groups
Using Library Elements
Creating Backgrounds with 2D Groups
Exploding a Cube
Animating to Music with the Audio Behavior
Creating a Fauz Animated Depth-of-Field Effect
Working with Lights
Creating Sets with Library Elements
The Default Ambient Light
Adding and Adjusting Lights
Working with Point Lights
Understanding Falloff
Keeping Lights from Affecting Layers
Using the Shading Parameter
Creating a Faux Light Source
Soloing Groups to Improve Performance
Animating Lights with Behaviors
Setting up Spotlights on a Virtual 3D Stage
Using Ambient and Directional Lights
Faking Volumetric Lights
Faking Shadows
Breaking Down a 3D Set
Building a 3D Set for Talent
Breaking Down a Project
Coloring a Set with Filters
Working with Keyed Footage
Lighting a Set
Animating a Camera to Sweep the Set
Tweaking the Animation
3D Text
Breaking Down a Complex Project
Using Generators for Background Elements
Creating Highlights with Shininess
Using Clones
Replacing Content
Animating with the Wriggle Parameter Behavior
Using Multiple Sweep Behaviors
Creating Faux 3D Text with Filters
When Filters Break Down
Moving Letters in 3D Space with Behaviors
Adjusting 3D Text Sequence Behaviors
Combining Behaviors
Animating Text Along a 3D Path
3D Path Limitations
3D Paint
Keying with Mattes
Changing Clip Speed
The Paint Tool vs. Shapes
Animating 2D Paint Strokes in 3D Space
Creating 3D Paint
Working with Shape Styles
Using a Sequence Paint Behavior
Using Animated 3D Image Dabs
Applying Jitter
Working with Shape Behaviors
Understanding Local 3D
Using Dynamics
3D Particle Emitters
Making Library Particle Emitters 3D
Understanding "Face Camera"
Making Particles Interact with Other Layers
Local vs. Global 3D Tradeoffs
Modifying a Preset Particle Emitter
Working with the Shape Parameter
Leveraging the Anchor Point
Creating a 3D Ring of Fire
Creating a 3D Fireball
When Particles are Better Than Paint
Creating a 3D Motion Path
Creating 3D Animations with Particles and Simulation Behaviors
3D Replicators
Replicating Layers in 3D Space
Using the Replicator 3D Checkbox
The Power of the Angle End Parameter
The Secret of Adjusting the Source Image
Replicating an Image Sequence
Creating a 3D Video Wall
Making True 3D Text
Building a 3D Carousel with Replicators
Duplicating Replicators and Swapping Source Objects
Replicating a Bezier Shape
The Power of the Align Angle Checkbox
Animating Replicated Objects with Behaviors
Building a Custom Sequence Replicator Behavior
Using the Shuffle Order
Changing the 3D Grid
Using the Gradient Tool
Turning Flat Objects Into 3D Objects
Bringing it All Together
Creating Set Elements with Shapes, Lights, Paint, Emitters and Replicators
Using Shapes to Create a Mountain Range
Using Particle Emitters for 3D Clouds and Rain
Making a UFO with Paint Strokes
Animating Objects with the Motion Path Behavior
Using a Replicator for Road Stripes
Animating a Camera Along a Motion Path
Understanding the Point At Behavior
Using Parameter Behaviors to Shake the Camera
Using Snap Alignment to Motion Behavior: What to Watch Out For
Minumum System Requirements
MAC G5 1Ghz or better
MacOS X
A DVD ROM drive
1 GB or more of RAM
QuickTime 7.0 or above
Monitor Depth - Millions
1280 x 800 screen size or better
Please Note: The system requirment to both watch and follow along with this tutorial are quite steep and require a G5 processor. For optimal performance we recommend an Intel Core Duo processor and an approved graphics card with at least 256MB of RAM.
Why DVD-ROM not DVD-Video?
We deliberately chose NOT to deliver this training product using DVD video. There are a few reasons for this. The first is quality. DVD-Video is primarily an NTSC medium and as such, requires us to use scan converters and other analog trappings that result in a smaller frame size and a picture quality that looks noticeably soft when played on a computer. Second, with processor speeds now at super computing levels, software for capturing full motion (30fps) screen activity is now a reality. If you watch our tutorials, you will see crisp 1280x 800 widescreen movies delivered at full frame rates.
