Jaime Montaño
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I’m running a Macbook Pro Early 2011 with a 2.2 GHz i7 in clamshell mode using a 27 inch HD monitor. There are no virtual differences between using the 27inch or the Laptop display. For what is worth, it’s on the latest build of Mavericks and has 16 GB of RAM.
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Hope it’s not too late to answer so here I come.
In Illustrator a gradient works a bit differently than in Photoshop. In the case of black and blue, for example, the black goes from 100% black to 0% black, also known as white. At the midpoint you have exactly 50% black, also known as gray. The blue one goes from 100% blue to white too and you have pale blue in the midpoint. So it appears as gray mixed with pale blue in the middle because thats what it is.
In Photoshop, the color math is different but I won’t go there.
Solution: Instead of using 100% black use 100% black with a mix of inks of your color, in the case of blue for example if the CMYK mix is 70/15/0/0 your black should be 70/15/0/100.
Example:
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I hope to be clear enough.
– Create your text layer and duplicate it. Work in hires.
– Decrease size and align both to center.
– Reduce opacity of both at 50% so you can see behind.
– Using the pen tool conect the dots between both and create shapes.
– Add a bit of shading via soft brush and there you have it.I’ve done this in 5 minutes.
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Given the features of both laptops, they look alike. But I do prefer OSX over Windows anytime. It’s more functional for me and it feels snappier. More responsive.
Just got a MBP like the one on your post but without the Increased Resolution option. The thing screams! It’s just the fastest laptop I’ve ever worked on. It runs the Adobe Software like butter. Once you tweak your Ps and Ae settings properly, you’re good to go. Buy some ram from OWC to mak out your MBP.
Another advantage it’s the quality of the chasis. The MBP feels solid. Every other laptop, specially the ones from Dell, feels like cheap plastic. Besides, in a few years if you try to sell it, the MBP holds better its value in the market. You will have a hard time trying to sell a Dell Laptop in 3 or 4 years.
Disclaimer: Mac user since 2004. Former owner of an iMac G5, MBP early 2008
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You are right about the assets. Sometimes they drive the whole process. Also, I should note that the workflow I described it’s not rigid. As you already said, we should have enough flexibility in the way we work.
But there are some little details that can save you some headaches later on. One of the problems that I used to have was clients asking for changes in the voiceover script almost at the end of the project when all the recording was done and the final mix was completed. That means the voiceover artist should get back to the booth and the audio engineer needs to make changes to the mix and all that process has a cost involved.
Sometimes you need to do that, but if you specify that all changes made to the script after the completion of the recording have a cost, the client will double or triple check it.
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If it’s something very simple like a “lens flare over a logo” thing or a series of cross dissolves, I sit in front of the software and start to work.
But I do have a workflow:
1. Start with the objectives. It doesn’t matter if the client has them or not, objectives are key to success. Try to find out what’s the main goal of the animation or composition you’re working on and everything should evolve from it.
Write them down and ask the client. ¿Is this what you want to comunicate?
2. Work on the concept. You sureley can start to mix & match graphics right on the PC until it looks nice and it probably will, but if you work on a concept, it gets easier. For example, in a corporate video por a Toy company, maybe the concept its playfulness, so you get in tune with that and work from that mindset.
Again, ask for client approval.
3. Work on a Storyboard. Seriously. I do a sketchy storyboard to get an idea of how the animation is going to flow, how I will compose the frames and get an idea of the timing in general. If you have awesome drawing skills (I don’t) you can present the Storyboard to the client. If not, create a few comps in Photoshop to express your idea.
3b. If you’re working also on the audio and theres a voice over, it’s time to make the script.
3c. You can work on a rough cut in your NLE of choice using your storyboard as frames to set times. Think of it as the bones of your composition. This will help to convey the idea to the client better and it will let you work over something more solid later on.
4. Before presenting the Storyboard to the client, you are going to need to work on the treatment. This is just the look and feel of the piece. Color palette, type, layout style, etc. Create some sample frames with enough detail to show how the end product should look.
Present everything to the client and ask for approval. Make changes as needed and once the are done, ask for a signature because you are very close to start the animation or the composition and they should know that once the work in the compositor is half way done, changing their minds completely should be charged extra. Of course, set a threshold for easy changes. Don’t try to charge more money for a font replacement mid project.
5. Get the necessary assets. Ask your client for pictures, reference material, logos, etc. Also, gather materials you think are going to need.
6. You have everything you need to create your composition (sans audio of course). Do your best. Stick to the treatment and to the storyboard but make slight changes if you think they will suit better the project. Nothing is carved on stone. Remember the concept all along the way.
6b. If you are working on the audio too, look for the best time effective / better quality solution. I’m on the low end of audio expertise, so I work with another guy that uses a rough animation for an initial mix and then the final piece for the final mix.
If it’s my duty to create the sound too, either AE or Garage Band ( I know, it’s sad ) do the trick.
7. Done. Render. Deliver.
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If you are planning to buy some software just to do that task and similar basic tasks like managing layers and such, maybe Photoshop is a bit expensive. If you are on the mac side you could try Pixelmator. Great app with rulers, layers an guides, just for $59.