Motion Graphics

Saving a Logo for Video

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When creating graphics for use in a video editing program (like Premiere Pro) you may need to do a little extra preparation. Let’s convert a vector graphic (like an Illustrator file) so it’s ready for the video screen.

1. Create a video-sized document. Choose File > New... and choose a preset that matches your video editing timeline.

2. Add the logo. Choose File > Place then navigate to your desired logo file and click Place and then click OK.

3. Scale the logo to size. Drag the Transform handles to size the logo, hold the shift key to scale proportionately. You can use the guides to help you keep the logo properly sized. Be sure the logo stays inside the inner box (also called the safe title area). Press Return (Enter) to rasterize the logo.

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4. Give the logo a transparent backgroundClick the visibility icon for the Background layer to hide it. Now, only the logo itself is visible and the rest of the file is transparent.

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5. Store the transparency in an alpha channelChoose Window > Actions to view the Actions panel. Click the small triangle in the panel’s upper-right corner and choose Video Actions from the menu that appears. Select the Alpha Channel from Visible Layers action and click the Play button. Click Continue and a new alpha channel is added to the image.

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6. Save the fileChoose File > Save As. Name the file and be sure the Alpha Channels box is checked. Click OK to save the file.

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The History of Alpha Channels

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Alpha channels grew out of work done at the New York Institute of Technology in 1977. The goal was to embed transparency data directly into each file to cut down on rendering. The name alpha was chosen because it’s the part of a mathematical equation that represents blend-ing between composited images. The embedded alpha channel eliminated the need for a separate traveling matte. After Effects users should consider embedding alpha channels as Photoshop users do. Embedded mattes reduce the need for two-step rendering and eliminate the possibility of a misaligned matte.

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Stabilizing Footage with the Warp Stabilizer

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Premiere Pro Video Adrenaline: Stabilizing Footage with the Warp Stabilizer

In this installment of Video Adrenaline for Premiere Pro, Richard Harrington delivers the great new feature in AE CS5.5 for image stabilization and ties it seamlessly into PP using Dynamic Link. Take advantage of this new feature to seamlessly exchange files between the two programs.

Check out more at – http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/

What is the difference between Rotation and Orientation in After Effects?

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When you want to rotate a 3D layer in an After Effects composition, type W to switch to the Rotation tool (V will switch you back to the Black Arrow selection tool when you’re done), and then choose Rotation or Orientation from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the Tools panel.

  • Rotation is the best choice for animating.
  • Orientation is better for posing.


This is because when you keyframe Orientation, it always takes the shortest path between two angles. So if you start with a layer rotated 0 degrees and orient it clockwise to 350 degrees, in the final animation, it will rotate counter-clockwise from 0 to 350.

On the other hand, Rotation remembers which direction you rotated the layer and how many times around you went.

Special Effects and Performance Art

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A cool find of performance art and technology. I love the planning that went into these 3 pieces.

"This video is most interesting is that it did not join any computer post-effects, only the use of cameras, projectors and Play Station Move is realized as the science fiction version of the magical effects."

Painting Frames in Video Layers with Photoshop

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Photoshop Extended lets you combine two great features for creative options. You can open up a video file and then use your painting tools to edit individual frames or to create an animation. This process is typically called rotoscoping.

1. Open or create a new video file. You can either open an existing video file (File > Open). You can also create a new video layer to isolate your animation (Layer > Video Layers > New Blank Video Layer.

2. Prepare to animate. Animation tasks are easier when you change Photoshop’s layout. In the Application bar, click the Motion workspace button to reconfigure Photoshop.

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3. Select a layer and time. You need to choose where to animate. In the Animation or Layers panel, select a video layer. Next, move the current time indicator to the video frame you want to modify. This is where the animation will begin.

4. Start Painting. You can use any of your painting tools to modify the layer. Try using several strokes to create an animated image. You can also use the Clone Stamp, Pattern Stamp, Healing Brush, or Spot Healing Brush to modify individual frames in a video file.

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5. Move Forward. Since your goal is to animate, you’ll need to use more than one frame. You can use the playback controls at the bottom of the frame to advance to the next or previous frame. To make painting easier, click the submenu of the Animation panel (upper right corner of the panel) and choose Enable Onion Skins. This will show you a preview of the previous stroke when painting.

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6. Change your Mind? Any painting you do on a video frame applies non-destructive edits. This means you can discard the altered pixels on a frame at any time. Simply choose Layer > Video Layers > Restore Frame or Restore All Frames command.

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