On this week's MacBreak Studio, I show Steve Martin from Ripple Training how easy it is to build a rig in Motion which allows the Final Cut Pro X user to select from different color themes for a title effect. Click either image above to watch.

I have a brand new tutorial out today that teaches you all the magic that is Motion's incredible Replicator. The tutorial is presented in Motion 5 but everything can be accomplished in Motion 4 as well. Check out the sample movies.

So we are getting a little particle crazy on MacBreak Studio! This week I show Steve Martin how you can use a an image sequence and a particle emitter to animate a deck of cards to deal out blackjack hands. It's cool. Watch it here.

On this week's MacBreak Studio, Steve Martin and I have way too much fun talking about particles in Motion. Heck, particles in Motion are alway fun. Check it out for a couple of useful tips for changing cell color and exchanging media.

I have a new tutorial out today that will teach you how to create, modify, and animate particle systems in Motion 5. Everything I cover will also work in Motion 4 as well. Check out sample movies, screenshots, and the full table of contents here.

On this week's MacBreak Studio, I show host Steve Martin how to design a quick title in Motion 5 and publish it for use in Final Cut Pro X. Motion 5 really is a dream fx tool for FCP X editors.

MacBreak Studio Live: Thursday, September 21st, 6pm PDT at pixelcorps.com/live

This is our monthly show with Alex Lindsay, Steve Martin, myself and other guests where we talk about all things production and post. We'll be discussing the FCPX/Motion/Compressor updates from yesterday and I hope to squeeze in a few cool Motion tips.

LAFCPUG: September 28th (info here)

I'll be presenting some Motion tips at the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group's monthly meeting next week - if you are in the area, stop by - it's free - just make sure to register, it usually sells out.

MotionFest Pre-conference October 9th (info here)

If you've never heard of it the Motion conference held every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a fantastic event for anyone who creates motion graphics for a living. Top-notch presenters and sessions, and great networking opportunities. I'll be doing 2 short sessions explaining how to create and use effects for Final Cut Pro X using Motion.

SFCutters: October 19th (info here)

Come to the monthly meeting of the very first Final Cut Pro users group in San Francisco if you'd like to learn more about Motion 5 - and some other great stuff as well. 

Apple today released updates to Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5 and Compressor 4. Fire up the App Store and click the Updates icon.

If you don't see Motion 5.0.1, FCP X 10.0.1, and Compressor 4.0.1, click the Purchases tab. If clicking Install from there won't work, first trash your current version of the appropriate app and try again - that's what worked for me (thanks, Twitter).

The FCP X update is signifcant: media stems export, XML support, Xsan support and more.

What about Motion 5.0.1? Dual monitor support. You can send your Timing Pane or your Canvas to a second monitor (from the Window menu). But it's full frame - you can't manipulate it - and you can't send it to any monitor you wish. Other than that, it's bug fixes. Which ones, I haven't yet seen. More to come.