Loose change and new plugin offerings…What would you do?? Big fat oops post…

[Michael Munkittrick]

I just got an email about my original post being relocated, so I apologize for my repost. I would however like to get the view of my peers who are more than likely at, or beyond my own skillset as opposed to those getting a grasp on After Effects.

Thanks again…

Michael Munkittrick
Gainesville, Florida USA

[Kathlyn Lindeboom]

This question has been discussed so much. Perhaps you could do a search to find out what favorite plugins your peers love.

Also, to clarify. The leaders that have volunteered for the calf are NOT newbies and people just starting out. A lot of very knowledgeable people — well, seasoned graphic artists hang out over there to help answer this kind of question and others that get asked over and over.

Kathlyn Lindeboom
The Mistress of Mmmooooo!

[Michael Munkittrick]

Yeah, I actually did that first. I even searched the archives, but I realize that there are some folks who just like what they like at a given time because of recent work or just because they found new and exciting uses. I can see why it might drive you guys crazy though. I meant no disrespect. I just wanted to see what was on the minds of the masses.

We should have a forum for “the hot new thing” made by folks who find new uses for old tools or just find interesting trinkets along the way.

All my best…

Michael Munkittrick
Gainesville, Florida USA

[Steve Roberts]

You know, in terms of new ‘n’ nifty, Trapcode seems to be the king, as you know. DA is there, too, but development of funky plugs seems to have slowed down, while development of practical workflow tools seems to have sped up. It may just be me …

[Michael Munkittrick]

That’s actually kind of funny. I got an email from a buddy of mine who asked if DA had sold their “desire” to create. I am a huge fan of Digital Anarchy and their flair for the unusual, but I have only used one of their tools and to be honest, it seemed a bit beyond my real-world needs. But then if they were aiming for me, they’d hav nmed the place Digital Suits & Stuff.

I guess that it’s time that I give them another look.

Michael Munkittrick
Gainesville, Florida USA

[Mylenium]

Well, if you don’t use any DA tools, you should at least take a look at them again. I agree, though, that Jim and his staff seem to have to moved rather towards mainstream and their plugins aren’t just as cool as in the past. Then again as AE grows so more competitors have emerged making it harder to be “cool”.

Anyway, since you asked, here’s my list of all time classics:

WE Premultiply
OE Erodilation
DA Gradient, Anarchy Toolbox, Geomancy, Text Anarchy
TC 3DStroke, Shine, Starglow and Particular
Knoll Light Factory

Beyond that I rarely have a need for other plugins as I’m still do some extent a 3D artist, having many options there as wel las being at least minimally versed in the use of those damn nice expressions… I also deal with mainly synthetic imagery and therefore I have of course little need for Magic Bullet or other tools of that kind.

Mylenium

[Pour Myl

[Michael Munkittrick]

These seem to make the short-list more often than any others, so I’m going to have to take your advice and look at the DA tools again. Light Factory was one I bought years ago, but sold before I actually had time to use it because we started outsourcing a lot of our heavier compositing…but it did make incredible looking light flares and so on.

I suppose I anticipated a Boris user or two to drop a response or maybe some DigiEffects people to mention their favorites, but your message seems to echo the mass consensus.

Thanks for the input.

Michael Munkittrick
Gainesville, Florida USA

[Sean Maloney]

Although somewhat pricey, I keep finding new ways of using the numerous effects and transitions found in the Sapphire bundles.