Create a Breathtakingly Awesome Rain Scene – Day 2

Mar 25th in VFX by Alex Verlan

In part 2 of Alex's massive tutorial we finish the tutorial with the construction of the last scene.

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Author: Alex Verlan

Hello! I'm from Ukraine. I've been in love with After Effects and motion graphic design for 2 years. It is and stays my hobby, however last year I started working as a freelance motion graphic designer.

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Requirements:
Trapcode Particular (download the trial version here)
Trapcode 3D Form (download the trial version here)
Trapcode Shine (download the trial version here)

Optional:
Trapcode Horizon (download the trial version here)
Twitch (download the trial version here)
T_Distorto from Foundry Tinderbox 1 collection (download the trial version here)

Step 1-95

Are in Part 1 of this tutorial.

Step 96

Create new composition (Composition->New Composition). Name it 'Scene-2', use preset 'HDVHDTV 720 25', set 20 seconds long.

Step 97

Download the equirectangle image below from Flickr (this photo is licensed under a Creative Commons License from Vitroids)

Step 98

Import image into your project (File->Import->File). Place it in the timeline. Hit 'S' and set scale value to 56%.

Step 99

With layer selected hit 'Enter' and type name 'BG'. Next, apply Trapcode 'Horizon' (Effect->Trapcode->Horizon). Tip: if you don't have Horizon plugin, check out Carl Larsen's 'Cube World' tutorial, you will learn how to make the same thing without the 'Horizon' plugin.

Step 100

Create new Camera (Layer->New->Camera). Use 35mm preset.

Step 101

Create new 'Null' object layer (Layer->New->Null). Rename it 'Camera null', swith on 3D for this layer.

Step 102

Parent Camera to the 'Camera null' layer with pick whip.

Step 103

Now we create "floor" for our text and particles. Create new solid (Layer->New->Solid). Name it 'Floor', make it comp size. Switch on 3D for this layer.

Step 104

Apply 'Grid' to this solid layer (Effect->Generate->Grid).

Step 105

With 'Floor' layer selected hit 'R' button, this reveal Rotation options. Rotate it 90 on X-axis.

Step 106

Go to the 'BG' layer, twirl down Horizon 'Orientation and Distort' submenu. Then hold down 'Alt' click on the 'Z-rotation' of the 'Floor' layer, take pick whip and parent this value to the 'Y - rotation' of the Horizon plugin. This make synchronize rotation of our floor and background.

Step 107

Change 'Y orientation' of the Horizon to 61. Adjust 'Floor' layer position.

Step 108

Adjust scale and position of the 'Floor' layer, just to fit better to the scene perspective. You can uncheck 'Constrain Proportions' swith to try different values for Scale.

Step 109

From the project window drag & drop 'drop' composition to the timeline, shut off visibility (click on the eyeball).

Step 110

Before we go on, let's check our future rotation. Select 'Camera null' layer, hit 'R' button and change 'Y rotation' value from 0 to 180. Readjust 'Floor' layer Scale and Position.

Step 111

After adjustments change back value of 'Camera null' Y rotation again to 0. Shut off visibility of 'Floor' layer.

Step 112

Create New Solid (Layer->New->Solid). Name it 'Rain fill', make comp size.

Step 113

Apply 'Trapcode Particular' to this layer (Effect->Trapcode->Particular). After that, go to the Options and change 'Pre-run' value to 100%.

Step 114

Adjust 'Particular' settings as shown below.

Step 115

Move your Current Time Indicator to the 4:00 sec, than hit 'B', this set beginning of our composition from 4:00 second. We need this for our future particles layers. Turn off temporary visibility of the 'BG' layer. You must receive result something like on screencap below.

Step 116

Now we must make some color correction for our 'BG' layer. Swith on visibility for 'BG' layer and turn off for 'Rain fill' layer. Now apply 'Brightness & Contrast' effect (Effects->Color Correction->Brightness & Contrast) to 'BG' layer. Adjust settings.

Step 117

Next apply 'Tint' effect (Effects->Color Correction->Tint). Adjust settings.

Step 118

Next apply 'Curves' effect (Effects->Color Correction->Curves). Adjust blue channel settings.

Step 119

Next apply 'Levels' effect (Effects->Color Correction->Levels). Adjust RGB, Red and Green channels settings.

Step 120

Finally apply 'Fast Blur' (Effect->Blur & Sharpen->Fast Blur). Place it between 'Horizon' and 'Brightness & Contrast' effect. Set amount to 50%

Step 121

Now let's add some text to the scene. Grab Horizontal Type Tool (Ctrl+T). Type 'spoonfed motion graphic', I use Century Gothic font.

Step 122

Move it to the very bottom of the screen. Fit text width to the comp width (adjust scale or font size values).

Step 123

Pre-compose text layer (Layer->Precompose). Name it 'Mograph text'.

Step 123

Switch on 3D swith for 'Mograph text' composition. Also grab Pan Behind Tool (hit Y) and move composition Anchor point to the bottom of the text.

Step 124

Now let's create reflection of the text. To create this I used Andrew Kramer's free preset: 'Easy Reflection' for After Effects. Apply 'EasyReflect_Blurred' to the 'Mograph text' comp (Animation Presets->Presets->__-Videocopilot-__->Easy Reflections->EasyReflect_Blurred). For more info how to install presets go to the www.videocopilot.net/presets. Adjust settings.

Step 124

Adjust position of the text.

Step 125

Go to the Project window and duplicate 'Mograph text' composition (Edit->Duplicate). After that place it to the timeline and repeat for this composition Step 123.

Step 126

Hit 'Enter' and rename it 'AETUTS text'.

Step 127

Go inside 'AETUTS text' composition (double click on this composition if you in CS4 or 'Alt+click' if you in CS3). Change text to 'aetuts'. Change font size.

Step 128

Apply 'EasyReflect_Blurred' to the 'AETUTS text' comp (Animation Presets->Presets->__-Videocopilot-__->Easy Reflections->EasyReflect_Blurred). Adjust settings.

Step 129

Now select 'Camera null' layer, hit 'R' and change value for 'Y rotation' to 180 (this will be end of our rotation inside rain drops mass). After that adjust Position and Orientation options for 'AETUTS text' composition.

Step 130

Change 'Y rotation' value of the 'Camera null' back to 0. Now click on the 'Position' and 'Y rotation' stopwatches. Set values on 4:00, 7:00, 10:00, 18:00 seconds as shown below. Check out your animation with RAM preview (hit numpad 0).

Step 131

Change 'Y rotation' value of the 'Camera null' back to 0. Now click on the 'Position' and 'Y rotation' stopwatches. Set values on 4:00, 7:00, 10:00, 18:00 seconds as shown below. Check out your animation with RAM preview (hit numpad 0).

Step 132

Turn on visibility of the 'Rain fill' layer. Duplicate it (Edit->Duplicate). Rename 'Rain MID'

Step 133

Readjust setting of 'Particular' 'Rain MID' layer. In this layer we will use Particulars 'Aux system' to create fake drops splashes. This is a particle system within the particle system. Aux particles can be emitted from the particles in the main system; either continoulsy or when the particles collide with bounce layers. For more info check Particular help.

Result.

Step 134

Duplicate 'Rain MID' layer (Edit->Duplicate). Hit 'Enter" end rename it 'Rain BIG'.

Step 134

Duplicate 'Rain MID' layer (Edit->Duplicate). Hit 'Enter" end rename it 'Rain BIG'.

Step 135

Readjust particular settings for this layer as shown below.

Result.

Step 136

Now go to the Project window and duplicate 'drop' composition. Place it to the timiline and rename composition 'drop rotation'.

Step 137

Move your Current Time Indicator to 5 second, from this time our 'drop rotation' composition will apear. Shut off temporary visibility of the rain layers. Adjust scale of the 'drop rotation layer' layer. I set 29%.

Step 138

Hit '[' button to move and start 'drop rotation' layer from the 5 seconds.

Step 139

Open 'drop rotation' composition (double click on the layer in CS4 or Alt + double click in CS3 version). Change size to 600*600 pixels and duration of the composition from 3 seconds to 7 seconds (Composition->Composition Settings).

Step 140

Select Adjustment layer on the timeline (click on the layer), than press 'Ctrl+A' and with all layer selected change length of the layers to 7 seconds (with left mouse button hold and drag edges of the layers to the right).

Step 141

Move Current Time Indicator to the 2 seconds on the timeline. Select solid layer and go to the Form 'Fractal Field submenu', click on the stop watches for 'Flow X' and 'Flow Y' set values 0. Go to the 'Transform World' submenu and click on the 'Y rotation' stopwatch. With solid selected on the timeline hit 'U' button to see all your keyframes.

Step 142

Hit 'Pg Up' button (Page Up) once and change 'Flow X' and 'Flow Y' values back to 95.

Step 143

Move Current Time Indicator to 5 seconds on the timeline, adjust settings. Next hit 'Page Down' button, change values for 'Flow X' and 'Flow Y'. Select 'Y - rotation' keyframes and hit 'F9' to make it 'Easy-Easy' type.

Step 144

Go to the 'Scene-2' composition and adjust length of the 'drop rotation' layer (click on the edge of the layer and drag it to the right). Check your animation with RAM preview.

Step 145

Select 'drop rotation' layer, go to the beginning of it (hit 'I' button). Press 'S' button and click on the Scale stopwatch. Go to the 7:21 second on the timeline and change scale value to 39, than go to the 10:00 seconds and change scale value back to 29. Make all Scale keyframes "Easy-Easy' type. Check your animation with RAM preview.

Step 146

Let's now adjust camera movement. Select 'Camera' layer, click on the 'Point of Interest' and 'Position' stopwatches. Set following settings:

Step 147

Next go to the 'drop rotation', hold down shift press 'P' button. Click on the Position stopwatch. Set settings as shown below. Make all keyframes 'Easy-Easy' type.

Step 148

Move Current Time Indicator to 10:22 seconds. Next grab 'Rectangle Tool' (hit 'Q' button) and draw Mask shape on the 'drop rotation' layer.

Step 149

Hit 'M' button twice to reveal mask options, click on the Mask Expansion stopwatch, and change value at 10:22 to -150; at 10:23 to -50; at 10:24 set 0.

Step 150

Now apply 'Turbulent Displace' to 'drop rotation layer (Effect->Distort->Turbulent Displace).

Step 151

Adjust effect setting and set keyframes for Amount and Size options.

Step 152

Select two 'Size' keyframes, right mouse click and from pop-up menu select Keyframe Assistant->Exponential Scale. Now check your animation with RAM preview, we make very realistic drop splash!

Step 153

Create new composition (Composition->New Composition). Name it 'INK precomp' set settings as shown below.

Step 154

I used ink footages from Andrew Kramers 'Riot Gear' collection, Drop_03.mov, Drop_04.mov, Drop_09.mov. Import your footage into your project (File->Import->File). Place it on the timeline and switch on 3D for all layers.

Step 155

Adjust Position, Scale, Opacity values for this layers.

Step 156

Select Drop_04.mov layer and apply 'Shift Channels' (Effect->Channel->Shift Channels). Set 'Take Alpha' from 'Luminance'.

Step 157

Next apply 'Fill' (Effect->Generate->Fill). I used color #D4FFFF.

Step 158

Select all Effects in Effect Controls window (press Ctrl+A), copy (Edit->Copy), than paste to others layers (Edit->Paste).

Step 159

Create new Adjustment layer (Layer->New->Adjustment layer). Name it 'Fading'.

Step 160

Apply 'Linear Wipe' to 'Fading' layer (Effect->Transition->Linear Wipe). Change settings.

Step 161

Move Current Time Indicator to 02:15 second and click on the stopwatch of the Transition Completion. Than go to the end of composition end set 45%. Select keyframes and make it 'Easy-Easy' type (with keyframes selected hit F9).

Step 162

Go to the 'Scene-2' composition. Move your Current Time Indicator to 10:23 seconds. Place to the timeline our 'INK precomp'. With layer selected hit '[' button. Switch on 3D for this layer, adjust Position and Orientation. Also change blending mode to Screen.

Step 163

Apply 'EasyReflect_Blurred' to the 'INK precomp' (Animation Presets->Presets->__-Videocopilot-__->Easy Reflections->EasyReflect_Blurred). Adjust settings.

Step 164

Select 'AETUTS text' layer and apply 'Fast blur' (Effect->Blur & Sharpen->Fast Blur).Set amount to 15.

Step 165

Move your Current Time Indicator to 10:00 seconds and click on the Fast Blur amount stopwatch. Than go to the 10:24 seconds and change amount to 4.

Step 166

Go to the beginning of the composition (press 'Home' button). Select 'Mograph text' layer and apply 'Fast Blur' (Effect->Blur & Sharpen->Fast Blur), change amount to 20.

Step 167

Select 'drop rotation' layer and all rain layers change blending modes to 'Add'.

Step 168

From the project window grab Defocus.png file and place it into the timeline. Change rotation to 180. Change blending mode to 'Screen'.

Step 169

Create new solid (layer->New->Solid). Name it 'vignette', comp size, color black.

Step 170

Grab 'Ellipse Tool' and create mask on the 'vignette' layer. Adjust mask settings.

Step 171

Create new composition (Composition->New Composition). Name it 'dof 2 map'. Set settings as shown below.

Step 172

Create two solids like we did before: Black and White solid (Layer->New->Solid, repeate twice for each layer).

Step 173

Create two solids like we did before: Black and White solid (Layer->New->Solid, repeate twice for each layer).

Step 174

Grab Rectangle Tool and draw mask on the White solid.

Step 175

Now click on the stopwatches of the 'Mask Path' and 'Mask Expansion'. Adjust settings as shown below.

Step 176

Go back to 'Scene-2' and place from project window 'dof 2 map' composition into the timeline. Shut off visibility of the layer.

Step 177

Create new Adjustment layer (Layer->New->Adjustment layer). Name it 'DOF'.

Step 178

Apply 'Lens Blur' effect to 'DOF' layer (Effect->Blur & Sharpen->Lens Blur). Adjust settings.

Step 179

Move your Curent Time Indicator to 4:00 second, click on the 'Iris Radius' stopwatch. Adjust settings as shown below.

Step 180

Switch on visibility for rain layers and place 'drop rotation' layer above 'Rain fill' layer.

Step 181

Now we make our 'freeze time' effect. Move your Current time Indicator to 6:15 second. Select 'Rain fill' layer. Go to the Particular settings. In the Physics submenu click on the stopwatch of the Physics Time Factor. Adjust settings as shown below.

Step 182

Move your Current time Indicator back to 6:15 second. Select Physics Time Factor and copy to others rain layers (Edit->Copy; Select layer; Edit->Paste).

Step 183

Let's add final touches. Create new solid (Layer->New->Solid). Make comp size, red color. Place it above 'BG' layer. Change blending mode to Overlay.

Step 184

Grab Pen Tool and draw mask. Adjust settings.

Step 185

With layer selected hit 'T'. Hold down 'Alt' and click on the Opacity stopwatch and add expression: wiggle(5,20).

Step 186

Duplicate layer (Edit->Duplicate). Change solid color to #A20BD4 (Layer->Solid settings). Adjust mask shape position.

Step 187

Create new Adjustment layer (Layer->New->Adjustment layer). Than rename it 'Glow All'.

Step 188

Apply Glow effect (Effect->Stylize->Glow). Adjust settings.

Step 189

Create new composition (Composition->New Composition). Name it 'Scene-Final', use settings as shown below.

Step 190

In the project window select 'Scene-1' and 'Scene-2' composition and place it to the timeline.

Step 191

Move Current Time Indicator to the marker #1. Next select 'Scene-2' layer and press '[' button, this move start of the layer to the Current Time Indicator.

Step 192

Select 'Scene-1' layer and hit 'T' button. Move your Curent Time Indicator to the 14:17 seconds and click on the Opacity stopwatch, next move Time Indicator to the 14:21 seconds and change Opacity value to 0. Make last keyframe 'EasyEase' type (with keyframe selected press F9).

Step 193

Go inside 'Scene-2' composition. Move your Curent Time indicator to 4:00 second. Go back to the 'Scene-Final' composition, select 'Scene-2' layer and press '*' on the Numpad. This will create marker on the layer at this point of time.

Step 195

Now move your Time Indicator to 14:17. Next move whole 'Scene-2' layer to match Time Indicator position with layer marker.

Step 196

Create new Adjustment layer (Layer->New->Adjustment layer). Name it 'distortion'.Place it below 'Scene-1' layer and adjust layer length as shown below.

Step 197

Apply 'T_Distorto' effect (Effects->Tinderbox 1->T_Distorto), as alternative you can use 'Vector Blur' effect (Effects->Blur & Sharpen-> Vector Blur). Adjust settings.

Step 198

Move Current Time indicator to the beginning of the 'distortion' layer. Click on the 'Position' and 'Strength' 'T_Distorto' parameters stopwatches. Adjust settings in the timeline as shown below.

Result at 15:05 seconds.

Step 199

Finally, you can increase brightness of our drop. Go inside 'Scene-2' composition. Select 'drop rotation' layer, apply 'Brightness & Contrast' (Effect->Color Correction->Brightness & Contrast). Set brightness amount 50.

That's it. Hope you find this tutorial helpful and useful! Have a nice day! :)


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User Comments

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  1. PG

    ninjtso March 25th

    really nice work my friend ,, i really like it

    ( Reply )
  2. PG

    naim alwan March 25th

    thanks man… great tut.

    ( Reply )
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    Modisana March 25th

    You really nailed it dude…..I just wish your tutorial was a screencast….but AWESOME regardless….and I see you also visit the Great ANDREW KRAMER….now I officially declare you as one of the best…. exept that you didnt make a screencast like Mr Kramer does….

    Just kidding….

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Modisana March 25th

      Well Im not kidding about the Screencats…..you still rock & roll

      ( Reply )
  4. PG

    Dan Pope March 25th

    Im having a problem rendering out the first scene, it says not enough memory or something, I do have enough hard drive space and 4gig of ram. What could be the problem and how can i stop it from failing? any help would be fantastic

    ( Reply )
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      R080T March 25th

      Hey Dan -

      Not sure if this will help, but I was having render issues as well… fixed it up by changing the [FORM>Base Form>Sphere Layers] to “1″ inside the “drop” comp. I had it set at 3 originally and it seemed to really bog down my render.

      Good luck -

      R080T

      ( Reply )
      1. PG

        Billy May 14th

        What you can do is go through the tutorial and make sure you have all the same settings for the plugins he has. He does not highlight every change with the orange box so be careful. Also what you can do is render and AVI Uncompressed then add the codec in Adobe Meida Encoder.

        I didnt encounter that error and i have only 2gb to work with. But then agian i dedicated my machine to just AE.

        But See if that Works.

  5. PG

    michael keal March 25th

    Very nice i love Pierre Michel too
    where can we donwload the project please ?

    ( Reply )
  6. PG

    R080T March 25th

    Just finished scene01… only 102 more steps to go! Can’t wait…

    Thanks for the inspiration

    ( Reply )
  7. PG

    informix March 25th

    hey man ,thx very much. pretty cool

    ( Reply )
  8. PG

    Alexandre Broggio March 25th

    very cool

    ( Reply )
  9. PG

    Andrea March 25th

    200 steps! Holy shit! Really good job and explanation

    ( Reply )
  10. PG

    Joe March 25th

    I’m glad part 2 is up here because those splashes are so cool

    ( Reply )
  11. PG

    Markyoki March 25th

    Awesome Tutorial!!!one of THEEEEE BEST!!!

    ( Reply )
  12. PG

    erdinc okumus March 25th

    hi from istanbul turkey,thanks a lot ,waiting for new tuts..

    ( Reply )
  13. PG

    lzx917 March 25th

    really cool
    i like it very much
    i hope more

    ( Reply )
  14. PG

    VIJAY INDIA March 25th

    great work keep goin

    ( Reply )
  15. PG

    zak March 25th

    NO COMMENT::: Simply amazing. hope a screencast to

    ( Reply )
  16. PG

    Mudi March 25th

    Will you upload project file ? if no then please upload video tutorial thank :)

    ( Reply )
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      sara November 11th

      Yeah i agree there should be a project file of this or a video tut that would be wayyy easyer infact i never really liked reading because its not exsplaned as well i think.I cant stand reading i tryed to make this but it didnt work out as good as i exspected it too……..:(

      it dint work cuz i did somthing wrong im going to try again though somday :)

      ( Reply )
  17. PG

    mike March 25th

    o yeah,i`m waiting for this a long time
    thx dude

    ( Reply )
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    Tigris67 March 25th

    This tutorial really is quite epic in size. I had to stop around step 60 b/c my PC can’t handle the ram previews. Waiting on my new Mac pro to resume the project =D.

    ( Reply )
  19. PG

    Snorri3D March 25th

    WOW…..WOW

    ( Reply )
  20. PG

    Diego SA March 25th

    Yes! The best After Effects tutorial ever made!
    And I think it’s a new record: 199 steps! One more and you’d reach 200 steps! Congratulations!

    Man, I’m your fan!

    ( Reply )
  21. PG

    Audi March 25th

    Brilliant!!! the title’s spot on, breathtaking!!
    Just feel in many ways a video tutorial would’ve been a lot more helpful, considering the sheer size of this project.
    But that apart it’s one of the best things I’ve seen.

    ( Reply )
  22. PG

    Stefan March 25th

    Great tutorial but better make a video tutorials about this effect.

    ( Reply )
  23. PG

    BurningChariot TV March 25th

    I always support sites like this, and make a conscious effort to buy the majority of products advertised to show my appreciation and keep these kind of sites going.

    But as amazing as this tutorial is (or the example video that i watched was anyway…) I simply cannot bring myself to read this 200 detailed step -by -step written tutorial! Wether it’s down to pure laziness or just the thought of staring at my 24″ bright monitor, reading minute text for the next ‘god knows’ how long, this one just misses the mark, and I found myself scanning it for 10 seconds and thinking ” Nah…I’ll just try to figure it out myself! ”

    Unfortunately, the same is true for another one of your awesome tutorials – the falling 3D faux flower : (

    On other well established and successful free and subscription based AE tutorial websites, they tend to stick to ONE format of presenting the tutorials.
    I think that the favored format of the vast majority of us viewers would without doubt be the timeless video tutorial.

    ( videocopilot.net is the perfect example of this in action- i never seem to come accross any complaints nor anything but praise there! )

    I always get really excited when I see a new post on AETUTS, ( by the way, you have an excellent and very regular turnaround of tuts here which I LOVE! ) – but then my bubble’s burst when it loads a 100 step written thing!!

    I don’t mean this in any obnoxious ‘a-hole’ kinda’ way, as i truly appreciate the effort that goes into making these tutorials, and the fact that they are handed to us on a plate – for free, is AMAZING!

    But the bottom line is – and I’m sure many would agree, I think all future tutorials posted on AETUTS should adhere to a single format, that being the mighty VIDEO tutorial. 1 HOUR OF VIDEO TUT IS BETTER THAN 3-5 HOURS OF READING (plus i’ve always found that making a video tut is much easier and more fun!)

    I am never one to complain, and I write this with a massive cloud of guilt hanging over me, but I mean this as constructive criticism, and I will appreciate any ones comments or opinions on this issue.

    I hope that this is not taken offensively by any one involved in this wonderful website – keep up the good work, and keep recording those desktops ; )

    [ I've just noticed how much I've written here - LOL! What a hypocrite !! ]

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Dan Pope March 31st

      i for one do prefer these step by steps as it means you can following them as fast or as slow as you like without having to pause the video tutorial and rewind if you miss certain parts.

      ( Reply )
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    Marco-san March 25th

    I’m fully in accord with BurningChariot. Well i hope someone will make a videotutorial for this and 3d flower too

    ( Reply )
  25. PG

    illd March 25th

    Very good tutorial, but it seems to be a render hog :)

    ( Reply )
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    illd March 25th

    I think it is really good not to share the projectfile. People should learning by doing – and not copy paste!

    ( Reply )
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      BurningChariot TV March 25th

      I totally agree – forget putting projects files up for download, it only inspires flat out rip-offs!
      lol

      Unless of course, the include vital Plug-ins or essential material.

      ( Reply )
  27. PG

    E11World March 25th

    Ooo ya.. this is it.. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH

    ( Reply )
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    Chintan March 25th

    Hey BurningChariotTV,

    I have to say that it does take a lot of effort to sit and type 200+ steps & then screen grab the settings… and mark the settings and crop them and send it over here to post… so from author’s point of view he definitely has put tons of effort… also if you do go through this tutorial you would indeed be surprised by the way he has explained everything in detail… in fact i would suggest the admins of the site to advise the tutors to write the tuts in this detailed format. Also the screen grabs and the markings are big enough for the viewers to read which i doubt might not be the case in a screencast…

    thats my opinion… and no disrespect to you as well buddy… not looking to start a war over here :D

    so all in all screencast or written tuts I am all up for it :D

    And To Alex,… You totally ROCK… i had seen the peirre michel ad in stash dvd… and i was wondering how in the world did he manage to do such effects…. and you just showed us how to do it after effects… THATS JUST AWESOME !!! If you can please write a tutorial for peirre michel’s ad for LORIS jewelery it would be great… infact i m now inspired to try similar effect myself.
    Thank you so much for this tutorial it taught me a lot of things

    One suggestion to the editor/admins or whoever is in charge of the site…would be that in future if there are any more written tutorials please suggest the author to write in this detailed format with the screen grabs settings marked the way they are over here.

    Thanks a lot – BOW to Alex and aetuts :D

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      BurningChariot TV March 25th

      Hey dude – cheers for the response. I’ve actually given it a go and Ive got to agree – it’s absolutly perfectly scripted and the steps do cover EVERYTHING!!

      I’m starting to see the benefit of this ‘Hard Copy’ instruction manual style tutor and realize that this is an excellent reference or troubleshoot resource for many of my ongoing ‘trial and error’ attempts on various other projects I’m working on.

      LOL- I slightly eat a few of my words, and have come to a new conclusion:
      I know it’s a load of effort, but maybe we could get the best of both worlds – similar to schooling systems, you get the pleasant ‘face to face’ lesson (or in this case video tutor) and then get handed the hard copy notes to keep for future reference and more in depth information. (I am in no way suggesting that my school lessons were at any point ‘pleasant’ but you catch my drift right! lol)

      I think now and again, people just need a rant, and today was my day! haha, anyway, this tutorials wicked, so I’m going to follow it through regardless of the horrid bright white BG burning my now 38 hour day strained retina. I work far to much. might actually just go to bed…

      cheers for the reply anyways Chintan.

      x

      ( Reply )
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        Chintan March 27th

        hey BurningChariot TV,

        Glad to know that you found this hand written tut helpful…and its great to know that you are not like those who just rant and rant and rant more :D … and infact your reply made me think benefits of both the “worlds” that you can actually save the HTML page for future reference and if sometimes the tut is not covered well in-depth thats when the screencast tutor kicks in actually shows what he is doing (and also if you find a novel way to download the video is even better)

        and ya incase if you are using firefox or new IE… then hit “CTRL” & “+” it will increase the text size for you…and help your strained retina a lil bit…

        cheers and all the best to you as well mate

        cya around
        Chintan

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      mandeep September 11th

      You said something i had to say , i have made tutorials and it takes 5 times the amount of time and labour one has to put in step by step html tutorial.

      Andrew Kramers screen cast are good, but for a new comer there is nothing better then the step by step tutorial, specially for audience who dosent speak english as a native language.

      What a brilliant piece of art of tutorial . The best AE tutorial i have ever found , and i am not a newbie here.

      ( Reply )
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    Amila March 26th

    awasome dude………………………………….

    ( Reply )
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    Johannes Film Studios March 26th

    very nice tutorial only a shame is that there is no project file because i did everything you said and i get an error why is this

    but keep up the good work and thanks again

    greetz from belgium

    ( Reply )
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    Mikkel Johansen March 26th

    WOW!!…. Amazing video… I actually got the chills when I watched it, seriously :)

    Can’t wait to try this one out myself…

    Kudos from Denmark

    ( Reply )
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    mitko March 26th

    can you make a video tutorial please

    ( Reply )
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    Dot March 26th

    Great tutorial one of the best around
    as most people said too bad its not a video tutorial
    and here you dont explain in short why you put this number and why you do that so its just follow around like a robot and not knowing why you set it this way
    anyway this a great tutorial hope the next will be a video
    thanx again

    ( Reply )
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    Ponayck March 26th

    I normally do not post

    But this is an outstanding tutorial

    The use of perspective & camera moves, just those two aspects could be standalone tutorials

    IMHO: I like the Step by Step, having to stop and start video players becomes rather tiresome & clumsy. If this was a discussion on a concept then sure video is the way to go but who actually can keep up with a video tutorial

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    lari2009 March 27th

    nice work man…..pls pls pls upload project file ….10x

    ( Reply )
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    Todd March 27th

    Wow, thanks. I feel like I owe you some money for the time you spent on this.

    ( Reply )
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    bimdas March 28th

    one of the best ae tuts i’ve seen. well done!

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    Erik March 28th

    Do not post project files please, it’s much more fun to make it yourself and with all these detailed steps anyone can do it with patience. I prefer this over a video tutorial because a video tutorial I always pause, minimize, go back to AE and sometimes rewind and pause etc. It’s much more easy with these steps. I can actually see every change instead of wondering where someone clicked in a video tutorial because some people are doing it so fast and forget they are actually making a tutorial! Very good job on this tutorial !!!!!

    ( Reply )
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      fantasmo May 8th

      It’s more fun making it yourself… but not if you sit there for hours, and your rain, and especially your big drop is missing.
      Yes, my rain fall is missing, I can only see it VERY SLIGHTLY when i turn off all other layers and my big drop is completely missing… I followed every step carefully though… does anybody know, what might went wrong?
      By the way: I’m using the trial versions of these plugins, that means I couldn’t do the thing with “Particular > Options > 100%…” because it tells me to enter the serial when I click “Options”. Could this be the reason, why it doesn’t work?

      ( Reply )
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    Alex McCabe March 28th

    just..beautiful

    ( Reply )
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    Erik March 29th

    I said I was going to follow this part and I did, watch from 0:53 for the result!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-KaoUUJfYc

    I have to say again this tutorial has been very helpfull, never seen such a good step by step tutorial as here! So keep doing what your doing because it’s perfect! Thanks for this :)

    ( Reply )
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    trak March 29th

    Awesome Rain In Paris^^

    http://www.vimeo.com/3905733

    ( Reply )
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      atifqureshi June 24th

      just a preview

      there is no tut

      ( Reply )
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    Billy March 30th

    Just a helpful hint for all who are still doing this tutorial. From the few examples I’ve seen…and from what I saw in my own tutorial…the number of particles in the 3 main layers comprising the slow rain….there are WAY too many in the examples given by Versa.

    Drop the particle count several hundred in the first two slow rain layers (leave the count at 5 in the BIG layer) and you’ll see MUCH better results. Just a helpful hint.

    ( Reply )
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    ryanrobot March 30th

    Tormenta

    http://www.ryanrobot.com/tormenta

    Thanks again for the tutorial! This project was a lot of fun : )

    ( Reply )
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      Shinfo December 4th

      That was great. What was the music?

      ( Reply )
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    E.A.N. March 30th

    Ahahaha I discovered that this tutorial was used to make the beginning of Youg Jeezy’s new video “DON’T DO IT” :

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWTZ73y9gbs

    cheers,
    E.A.N.

    ( Reply )
  45. PG

    Dimisg March 30th

    This is a great tutorial, and very detailed indeed.

    I spent almost 3 days over those steps and I still can’t get it right. I am not sure what I missed, because actually I’ve been through all the steps and the settings again and again. It seems everything correct but I don’t get the effects I should get. I would be glad if there was the project file available and be able to go through all the setting and find out where I got it wrong.

    I was really amazed by the video and all these effects, but I feel so disappointed now that I cannot get the right results. Is there any possibility to PM the file please.

    I would appreciate if you can please send me the file and see where did I do wrong.

    Thanks a lot and keep up with the good work.

    ( Reply )
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    Billy March 31st

    I’m not totally done….but having followed the steps exactly….there is a major problem with the camera move in step 146. I don’t think it’s necessary. when you turn back on the rain visibility in step 180, the rain is splashing halfway up the screen….get rid of the camera move keyframes in step 146 and the problem goes away.

    Great tutorial…but there appears to be some problems that require a little bit of AE experience to overcome.

    ( Reply )
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    Billy April 1st

    Continued….the numbers in step 147 indicate that the camera move in 146 is NOT necessary. When the camera move is deleted, the numbers used in the tutorial come out exact in step 148.

    DO NOT USE THE CAMERA MOVE IN STEP 146. Upon further review, I lost over an hour of my life thanks to step 146.

    DO NOT USE!

    ( Reply )
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      Dimisg April 1st

      Thanks for that tip, I will try this.

      I am not an experienced AE user, I just got my hands on AE.

      ( Reply )
  48. PG

    Navarro Parker April 1st

    GOR-JUSS! What’s the music from?

    ( Reply )
  49. PG

    ALex April 1st

    My preview is completely slow. It takes 30 seconds to load 1 frame. WHat am I doing wrong?

    ( Reply )
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      Billy April 2nd

      You are not doing anything wrong. Form combined with particular is a resource nightmare. In addition, all the particular layers is causing the lag. You can upgrade your memory….but otherwise, drop the resolution to a third and be patient. I was having the same problems…..always do with a lot of particular stuff.

      ( Reply )
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    Julian April 2nd

    wow! this is just great!
    how is the music exactly called because hans zimmer has composed a number of titles and i really like this one.

    thank you very much,

    Julian from Austria

    ( Reply )
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    Treetippitak April 4th

    I thought that was Amazing! Wow. Need more tuts like this.

    ( Reply )
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    Kingpen April 4th

    Simply outstanding. . By the way, where did you get that music from?

    ( Reply )
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    vic April 5th

    done and done. wow. ppl got some balls asking for project file. this is one of those do it yourself pieces. imagine how good that intro to the young jeezy video WOULD HAVE looked if he passed out the project file ;) .

    “(–Ahahaha I discovered that this tutorial was used to make the beginning of Youg Jeezy’s new video “DON’T DO IT” :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWTZ73y9gbs
    cheers,
    E.A.N.)”

    nice. the tutorial that is. not the jeezy thing-looks too rushed. have fun all-peace out!

    ( Reply )
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    Harley Alexander April 5th

    You are absolutely nuts. That is one of the most intense tutorials I have ever seen in my entire life. Wow. Kudos to you my man.

    ( Reply )
  55. PG

    Pallas April 5th

    Loving the whole thing! Beautiful! Where is the epic music from? I saw composed by Hans Zimmer, but no titles. :) Anyone have a clue?

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Shelley Kasli May 27th

      Attack from Pearl Harbour :)

      ( Reply )
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    Jonas Bonn April 6th

    awesome. big thanks for this nice and detail tutorial….
    i will stay tuned …

    ( Reply )
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    Greg April 7th

    wow great tut..

    but why are my rain drops going sideways instead of falling down?? I’ve been through all the steps twice now.. it’s only doing this in scene 2.

    ( Reply )
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    clancy30 April 9th

    your work is beyond great ,iam working on your tutorial at the moment thank you for the hard work your a true artist my friend.

    ( Reply )
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    TeamMax April 11th

    非常伟大的教程，令人敬畏！

    ( Reply )
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    iPad April 12th

    Great tutorial! pretty amazing

    ( Reply )
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    Leland Clemmons April 13th

    Not too sure about “breathtakingly awesome” – it seems more along the lines of “cheesy.” Some decidedly cool effects, but those sayings are just terrible. “Waters my soul?” Nevertheless, an excellent tutorial.

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Complaint April 19th

      You’re obviously stupid then. The quotes are brilliant.

      ( Reply )
  62. PG

    Jonathan Hernandez Capistran April 13th

    The only I can say is AWESOME. I’m from Mexico and I’ve been working with after effect only 2 moths but I’m not pretty good, but this is awesome

    ( Reply )
  63. PG

    Samuel Rustenburg April 14th

    Im not sure about everyone else but I am stuck at one part, I am creating a similar effect for a website banner. Im working in 908×178 trying to get the drop to slow down rotate 180* reveiling text flyby and by the end of the rotation we see a girl. When I begin the rotation the rain drops look 3d but as I animate the layers come up 2D. When I rotate 90* I see my text but the rain is now not visable….

    I doubled check the tutorial and I don’t see anywhere to make these rain drops stay attached to the floor so when I rotate the rain drops don’t turn 2D….

    I noticed shortly after the floor was created there is a light layer visable in the timeline but you didn’t mention to create it.

    Hopefully you understand where I am stuck….if someone can let me know what I am missing that would be great.

    Other then this part great tutorial, my project is looking great.

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Samuel Rustenburg April 21st

      Never mind I got the drops to slow down I didn’t even see the time factor part in the tutorial, still having issues creating 3d enviroment for drops so that I can move the camera without causing the rain layer to go 2d any suggestions would be helpful thanks

      p.s is this because I am not using a equirectangle picture? (i have the floor created but no 3d enviroment)

      ( Reply )
  64. PG

    Alex C. April 14th

    Great tutorial!

    Here’s my result:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MC11zElMuY

    ( Reply )
  65. PG

    Ali April 17th

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE could some1 tell us the song please

    ( Reply )
  66. PG

    CgBaran Tuts April 18th

    Great Tutorial

    ( Reply )
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    Aman April 19th

    Great tutorials. but i want this video tutorilas and which soundtrack use here from hans Zimmer

    ( Reply )
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    Nikkey April 23rd

    simply super tutorial…………
    Hey i have one doubt, how did u render it to low capacity video…
    can u send those steps…… i get bulk capacity… whats the reason???

    ( Reply )
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    Hadi April 30th

    Awesome tutorial, really needed this one. I saw one BMW add it was amazing since then I was searching web sites for tutorial on that technique. Finally found it in aetuts.

    One favor.
    Do you have this tutorial in PDF format. Both part one and two.

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Lloyd April 30th

      Just choose File->Print and you will get a printable version free of all unnecessary stuff. Check out this article for more details.

      ( Reply )
      1. PG

        Hadi May 5th

        Thanks LIoyed. Got a PDF print.

  70. PG

    kell May 5th

    Every time I try to follow Step 123, I get an error window that says that there’s no BG layer and no Floor layer, even though I’ve followed all the steps up to 123. I can’t get the reflection at all.

    Any ideas?

    ( Reply )
  71. PG

    newbie May 6th

    I have the same problem in step 123. Pleace let me know if you find out of it kell.
    Or if other people know what to do!
    An about the tutorial, I think best tutorial made ever, I learn a lot. Extramyl much useful clues to uce in other prodjects. AF is coool, but steal time :-)

    ( Reply )
  72. PG

    newbie May 7th

    Hi again
    I went back to step 106, removed the pick whip between z-rotation and the y -rotation, by delete the
    thisComp.layer(“BG”).effect(“Horizon”)(“Y Rotatin”)
    text. Then I went to step 123, did the pre-compose, now without any errors, and then back to step 106 and did the pick whip again!
    I hope it would work, I don know for sure if everything will be ok, but so far for me I can move further on :-) Pleace someone corect me if I am wrong about this way to do it!
    Again thanks for extreamly cool tutoral

    ( Reply )
  73. PG

    :( May 9th

    where do i get the defocus.png from?

    ( Reply )
  74. PG

    newbie May 10th

    You find the defocus.png in the link in step 93 “day one”

    ( Reply )
  75. PG

    I May 11th

    I went through the first part and now I am on these steps and I tryed multiple times to get the same look but for some reason mine always turns out different. I dont get that fisheye look like you do on step 108. I went back to see if i missed anything and its always the same. Any suggestions??

    ( Reply )
  76. PG

    me May 11th

    I don’t understand step 123 using the pan behind tool : /

    Any help anyone??

    ( Reply )
  77. PG

    newbie May 11th

    You find the pan behind tool on the topp nr 6 ion from left. Put your mouce over it and you find it. (me on cs3 windows) Then first be sure to have the layer switshed to 3d. Then with the pan behind tool selected you can move the arrows with red and green arrows in front and with the Anchor point in blue in middle of the arrows. You take this Anchor point to bouttom on the text as deskribed in step 123..OK :-)

    And abot the problem I had in 123, later it was still a problem, and I did it an another way, and now it seams that the earlier 123 is taken away. probably it was some wrong..I dont know? From a still newbie witch is xtreamly happy for this tutorial, have learned a looooot. And now in the rendering prosess on big project :-)

    ( Reply )
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    newbie May 12th

    anyone having trouble get the null layer and camera to turn on the y axis 180 degrees on step 110?? I’ve tryed a million times and nothing works. help!

    ( Reply )
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    Kat May 12th

    Hi, can someone please help me……….I’m losing the will to live! Every time i apply the horizon effect in step 99 it makes my image turn to solid black. I’ve tried putting it on a different layer and although i can then see the image, it doesn’t do what it’s meant to do with the image – the image remains stationery. Help please anyone? What am i doing wrong?

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      newbie May 12th

      Kat,

      The image will turn grey/black, but as soon as you change the settings for the horizon layer the image should reappear. Also, make sure you have the appropriate layers set to 3D

      ( Reply )
      1. PG

        Kat May 13th

        Hi thanks for getting back to me. Sorry to be a pest but does that mean that the horizon effect is meant to be on it’s own layer and not added as an effect to the BG layer?
        When I do that I can see my image like you said when I make the setting changes but it doesn’t then seem to connect to the BG layer and move the image around like it’s meant to?
        Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

  80. PG

    Kat May 12th

    Oh, really good tutorial by the way, thanks! It’s been really great to follow, I’m just being a bit dopey today! Cheers Alex!

    ( Reply )
  81. PG

    newbie May 12th

    Anyone know why my rain layers don’t appear as drastic as the ones here in the tutorial? I don’t have the same looking rain like shown in the picture.

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Billy May 14th

      Um, Make sure you have all the same settings as he does, He does not Highlight Everychange with the orange box. So go back and check your settings.

      ( Reply )
  82. PG

    Shelley Kasli May 15th

    Thanks for the nice tutorial.
    Here’s my work

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aUnN8gs-64

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Shelley Kasli May 24th

      Above link is dead.
      Reloaded here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-koC0D4LMOM

      Thanks

      ( Reply )
  83. PG

    dgr May 16th

    very good nice thanks

    ( Reply )
  84. PG

    presa1200 June 9th

    whoaaa….i hope i’m not dreaming to watch great tut like this….

    ( Reply )
  85. PG

    kami June 11th

    this tutorial is very good. thank you for it and part 2.

    ( Reply )
  86. PG

    dre7dwarf June 16th

    This is crazy tut!!
    Thanks!!

    ( Reply )
  87. PG

    john June 16th

    Where did you get the footage for the scene with the clouds upon the mirrored building from? that is awesome!

    ( Reply )
  88. PG

    wtfitslekzen June 19th

    Cool man..

    ( Reply )
  89. PG

    Gentle Wu July 1st

    That great, Thank you

    ( Reply )
  90. PG

    Victor July 2nd

    GOOD JOB, I CAN’T WAIT TO START DOING THIS PROJECT
    GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND!

    ( Reply )
  91. PG

    Rainer July 3rd

    I cannot follow the tutorial, cause my position of the null object is total different. Same was with the first tutorial. Is there anybody who can help me out?

    The x,y,z axis are total different in my CS4

    ( Reply )
  92. PG

    Dmitry July 7th

    best tutorial i’ve ever seen

    ( Reply )
  93. PG

    Mr.son August 1st

    good job

    ( Reply )
  94. PG

    Pat Callahan August 5th

    That was UN-FREAKIN’-BELIEVABLE!

    ( Reply )
  95. PG

    rajesh August 14th

    Thanks

    ( Reply )
  96. PG

    AfterEffect Killer August 16th

    hi all
    Thank you for great Tut
    but could any one upload the .AE
    pleasssssssssssss !
    i make to step #120
    and the After effect hang and i could not do any thing
    so all my work !@!
    Thank you agian
    alimanasra90@yahoo.com

    ( Reply )
  97. PG

    Effxtsproobie September 10th

    Hi,

    I am stuck at Step 106 (nothing happens when i hold down alt and click) (maybe because its mac or what ever.

    Please help.

    (newest version of after effects.

    ( Reply )
  98. PG

    Auffique September 22nd

    hey! i see KLCC.. from Malaysia.. the twin towers..

    great tutorial..gonna try it out..

    ( Reply )
  99. PG

    D Weston October 12th

    Hi there -

    I’m creating a video for a non-profit charity in Canada, and elements of this video would be amazing in something we’re putting together, but it’s only a few days away and I’m not sure I have the time to do the tutorial from scratch.

    Is there anyone who would be willing to share their Project file for this?

    It’s for a good cause – I would send you a copy of the completed video, with full credit – it will be shown at a fundraiser with about 400 people at it – and this is PURELY at a non-profit occasion, i.e. not redistributed anywhere. A one-time thing.

    The help would be much appreciated.

    Oh, if anyone is interested in helping, as mentioned in the above message
    you can email me at damian.weston@gmail.com

    ( Reply )
  100. PG

    ramesh October 27th

    for the outcome there is only one word

    “SPEECHLESS”

    ( Reply )
  101. PG

    henry October 28th

    one annoying thing is that u don’t really explain how to do it without the plugins. You give links which i followed but then the instructions are different :(

    ( Reply )
  102. PG

    theagle November 7th

    please explain me how to do this without the trapcode horizon???

    ( Reply )
  103. PG

    opener November 24th

    спасибо за урок! :)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arkPGnY6Igo

    ( Reply )
  104. PG

    bilguitei January 23rd

    hey dude.this is the best tutorial i have ever seen.this preview makes me cry.

    ( Reply )
  105. PG

    cj January 29th

    yeah bro nice done

    a videotut would be great!!!!

    ( Reply )

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