MacBreak Studio: Motion Font Tricks

Back on MacBreak Studio, I discuss several font-related Motion tips with Brian Gary. See it on iTunes here or on the web here.

NAB Post Production World

It's underway and it's been great so far! Posting direct from my iPhone with the SquareSpace app.

NAB

I'm in Las Vegas all this week teaching at the Post Production World Conference, part of the massive yearly NAB show. My first class is today, Saturday, and I teach through Wednesday - 9 sessions in all, covering various aspects of Motion. Here is the schedule of all PPW speakers, including myself. If you are in Vegas, I hope to see you! I'll be posting updates on PVC.

MacBreak Studio: Adjustable Master Templates

Back on MacBreak Studio, I show Steve Martin a fantastic tip from fellow Motion guru Patrick Sheffield on how to make adjustable Master Templates in Motion for use in Final Cut Pro. This is a good one, folks. Watch it on the web here or on iTunes here. Oh, and buy his book here!

Motion Library Expansion Pack: Shapes Volume 1

Motion's Shape objects are incredibly versatile and powerful. You can adjust their edit points, style them using the outstanding style presets, and animate them with Shape Behaviors to write-on, wriggle, and spread out or assemble -even in 3D space.

I've released a new product: 101 everyday Shape Objects. Read more...

Motion Tip: Creating an Outline

A quick (under 4-minute) tip on how to create an outline around any graphic or video that has an alpha channel. To see the full video without any cropping, watch it on YouTube by clicking here.

Ripple Alpha Transitions

Alpha Transitions Volume 1 is a collection of 36 professionally-designed Alpha Transitions that can be used royalty free in any Final Cut Pro 7 project. Each of our alpha transitions were designed in 1920x1080 and output using Apple's ProRes codec. They can be used in any HD or SD widescreen sequence. We also include a tutorial that explains how to work with and modify them in Final Cut Pro 7.

Click on thumbnails to preview

Click here to read more 

MacBreak Studio: Custom Keyboard Shortcuts

I talk with Brian Gary about how to make a keyboard shortcut for any action you perform in Motion. Watch it on iTunes here or on YouTube here.

Motion Tip: Color Matching

Having trouble getting an exact color match to a logo or corporate colors? Here's the solution. Click on the video after playback starts to watch it on YouTube in HD.

MacBreak Studio: Cinema 4D and Motion

I talk with Alex Lindsay about Cinema 4D version 11.5 and it's great new support for Motion. See it on iTunes here or on the web here.

MacBreak Studio: It's Good to Share

I talk with Brian Gary about the different export options in Motion, including the new Share command. See it on iTunes here or on the web here.

New Motion Designer Template

Steve Martin and I have just released our latest HD Designer Template - check it out here.

MacBreak Studio: Using a "Null" Object

I talk with Brian about a trick to make your camera moves much more flexible. See it on iTunes here or on YouTube here.

Motion Tip: Changing the Color of LiveFonts

A quick tip since I see a lot of folks asking this question. Sorry the video is a little cut off, I need to fix my template. Best is to watch in HD on YouTube by clicking anywhere in the movie after it starts playing, or just click here.

MacBreak Studio: Motion Keyboard Shortcuts

I talk with Brian Gary about Motion keyboard shortcuts that I use on a daily basis to speed up my workflow. See it directly here or in iTunes here.

Quick Tip: RTF Import and Scrolling Text

Motion 4 makes it easy to create scrolling credits by simply importing an RTF file and applying the scrolling text behavior. However, thing may not line up properly. This short video shows you how to make everything work nicely. You may want to click on the video to watch it in HD on YouTube. Oh, and if you subscribe to my site on the right, I'll send you a free RTF scrolling credits template for your next project to make things even easier.

Cinema 4D to Motion Workflow

With the release of version 11.5, Cinema 4D now supports the exporting of lights, cameras, and object location data to Motion - allowing you to easily integrate true 3D objects and scenes into your motion graphics compositions. This short video explains the basic workflow.

MacBreak Studio: Solving Camera Problems

On MacBreak Studio Episode #64, Brian asks me to triage his 3D Motion project for SpeedFreaks. See it on the web here or on iTunes here.

Reapplying Keyframes in Motion

Want to take the keyframes you've created on one object in Motion and apply them to another? You can copy-paste, but that may not be the best solution. Here's a short video showing three different approaches.

The Audio Parameter Behavior

Last night I had the opportunity to be a guest lecturer at Expression College for Digital Arts. The class is about creating live digital performance art, and I discussed how to use Motion's MIDI and Audio parameter behaviors to create audio-driven animation. What I love about teaching is that I get some focussed experimentation time when I prepare - Motion's audio behavior is fantastically powerful and I found some great new ways to animate with it. I highly recommend you check it out yourself. You can find a little primer video here.