[Ebarfield]

Hmmmm…I don’t seem to have any problems shooting in 24P (scene mode 5 on dvx100B; not advanced 24p, or scene mode 6) and bringing into After Effects (v7.0) with default settings and placing on timeline. However, I must preface with this workflow explanation:

I capture in Premiere Pro (2.0) first (NTSC 30 fps project (or 29.97, I suppose)), then bring these files into After Effects. Pulldown, etc., seems to be handled correctly, as I experience no jitter, no problems.

my .02 worth.

egb

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

I use 3D Invigorator Pro version (an upgrade to the Classic version you get with After Effects; or, at least, you got it with 6.5 version…not sure about 7.0, which I do have). With Pro version, you create your own text within the Invigorator plugin, which is nice. With classic version, you have to import text/graphics from Adobe Illustrator files.

I have 2 gig RAM (you almost MUST have 2 gig min.) and have done mostly simplified 3D stuff, with one or two complicated things, with Invig. Render time is fairly long, but, in general, it works fine once the learning curve is achieved.

egb

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

to be explicit, now that I am at my system, it’s the “Effects & Presents” dialog area (Window/Effects & Presets) where it says “Contains:”. Type in “Pixel” here and you will see if you have the effect or not.

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

It’s called “CC Pixel Polly”. I am not at my system, but just type in “Pixel” in the Effect Controls search dialog area and the effect should appear for selection if you have it. either drag it onto the selected layer, or double-click it to apply the effect onto the currently selected layer.

With 7.0 (Pro version), I know you have to install it as a separate selection on the install CD for AE. It’s called “Cycore Effects”, or something like that.

BTW, I have the pro version of 7.0; not sure if you get this effect with standard version. Others here will know.

egb

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

I was going to suggest CC Pixel Polly (Cycore effects with 6.5, 7.0), which allows an object to be shattered into tiny pieces (you can keyframe the size, set the shape, etc.) but after looking at the picture, I don’t think it will work, since these “shards” (keep in mind I have not seen the movie)seem to be more “hairlike” in nature…give it a look and see.

my .02 worth…

egb

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

Here is an idea from another thread…sounds different than what you are trying to do, however. This thread takes you to ayatoweb.com site, where there is an interesting effect of text from “smoke”…

https://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_read_post.cgi?forumid=2&postid=748630&archive=T

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

That would be longer than my lacie…{;>}

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

It may be just me, and they seem to have a good reputation, but I’ve had two Lacie drives go bad just out of warranty in the past 3 years, so I’m done with Lacie…I purchased a 1 Terrabyte Maxtor drive (USB) about a year ago, and it has worked nicely (so far).

egb

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

You might give this tutorial a look…don’t know if you could apply this principle to your still shot to put it in motion or not.

https://studio.adobe.com/us/tips/tip.jsp?p=1&id=100775&xml=aft65sddisplace

good luck,

egb

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra

[Ebarfield]

The other 3D alternative is to use Zaxwerks Invigorator, which comes (or used to, anyway) with After Effects as a plug-in. Trick is, the one that comes with AE is the version which requires Adobe Illustrator to create the text characters/vectors, which you then import into AE’s Zaxwerks plug-in for 3D letters. If you upgrade to the Pro version, which is pricey, you create your own 3D text right inside the plugin. It has camera, light effects, many textures and material types you can apply. You could also then apply shine, glow effects, etc., as mentioned by other responses. You can get glass and chrome look, among many others. Look on the Zaxwerks forum here for more info. Also, there are several tutorials on Invigorator.

I bought the pro version and have used it a number of times. Works quite well.

“deja vu all over again” — Yogi Berra