[Dave Navarro]

I’ll check that site out, thanks!

[Dave Navarro]

Jeff,

One thing I know is that google’s index algorythm increases the frequency of visit proportional to the amount of change it sees. So, if a site’s content rarely changes, google rarely visits. If the site’s content rapidly changes, it more frequently visits.

There “used” to be a trick where you could search a specific site using google and any new content google found it would add to it’s own index. However, I’ve read that no longer works.

And finally, Google does have a backend API for directly submitting new content for index that is used by eBay and many news sites which have rapidly changing content that quickly expires. There is a fee for the service from what I understand. However, perhaps WordPress cut some kind of deal with Google to allow them to use the API in their code…

[Dave Navarro]

Have you downloaded the demo and tried it?

I haven’t personally used it, but I’ve seen stuff from a few friends who have and it can give you some interesting looks.

The only way to know for sure if it will work for you is to try the demo.

[Dave Navarro]

You may get lots of different opinions… 🙂

I used Ulead’s (now Corel) VideoStudio for a very long time with AE simply because of price and ease of use. I had spent a huge chunk of my “startup” budget on AE, so I couldn’t afford Premiere.

However, after several frustrations with VS, I went ahead and bought Premiere Pro and forced myself to switch, even though the learning curve was a bit steap (funny how it ‘feels’ that Premiere is harder to use than AE).

And honestly, I do MOST simple editing jobs in AE and only move to Premiere when I have to.

[Dave Navarro]

Thanks, I will most definitely check that out!

Right now, I’m just playing with 2D masks in AE:

https://www.topekadesign.com/animation/cow_puzzle_test_01.mov

I grabbed the Cow logo from one of AR’s podcasts and looped it over 30 seconds. I created a puzzle mask in Photoshop using AV Puzzle Pro and saved it as a PSD file with each layer having once piece of the puzzle.

I imported the PSD file then created 9 comps (1 for each piece of the puzzle) using each piece as a luma matt. Then dropped all 9 comps into my main comp and played with the positions as shown…

I still need to move the anchor point of each piece to the center and then I’ll start playing with some 3D motions. I also need to change all of the puzzle piece comps to use a single main comp for footage, so that I can quickly drop in any footage to overlay on the pieces.

I’m sure it’s all been done before… but it got my brain pan working…

[Dave Navarro]

I found something useful for 3D Studio that I might play with later.

At the moment, I’m playing with ProAnimator to see if I can get it to do that I want…

If not, I’ll probably just do it in 3D studio.

[Dave Navarro]

This exact effect is what I am looking to duplicate:

https://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/object/3909556_puzzle_usa_canada_flags_loop_alpha.php?id=3909556

Hopefully without creating dozens of layers for each individual piece. Was hoping to cheat and create a custom shatter map. 🙂

[Dave Navarro]

Thanks Ron! 🙂

My point being that in the years I have seen this posted repeatedly, you’d think it would have *already* been covered.

That said… based on recommendations in this forum, I purchased the Trapcode Form product and I am experimenting with it. I am NO WHERE NEAR as creative or talented as the Cow staff, but if I do make anything workable, I’ll post a response.

In the meantime, if it hasn’t already been done, let me make a formal request for something fire related from the AE Cow people. Other than an explosion or just overlaying some existing fire footage.

[Dave Navarro]

As much as this topic gets brought up over and over again… I’m surprised none of the CC leaders have picked up on it and done a tutorial.

[Dave Navarro]

Do you have any sample footage for this effect?