Joseph W. bourke
Forum Replies Created
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The huge challenge I see is the fact that this is time lapse footage. Take, for example, the couple next to the NYPD patrol car: they are very blurred, which is generally the nature of moving object in time lapse, due to longer exposures. I would normally suggest a corner pin (since the perspective is pretty simple – so Mocha would be overkill), then use the Roto-Brush to mask the people passing in front of the composite.
I would suggest trying the Roto-Brush with a heavy feathering on the mask, and you might be able to pull it off, and have it look real. If you have the option to shoot the time-lapse yourself, I would suggest doing a short test at a few different shutter speeds. Find the shortest speed which gives you the image you want, but also puts less of a motion blur on moving elements in the scene. Then add the Roto-Brush (do the tutorials on it before just jumping in) to the moving figures. Then, if you want the blurred motion look, you might use RSMB (ReelSmart Motion Blur) to add back the motion blur artificially.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
Here’s an education on the topic, targeting at using Audition:
https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/noise-reduction-restoration-effects.html
Not far from the top there’s an entry for “crackle from old vinyl records” which will be a good start, if you want to jump right in.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
I’ve been using Illustrator and AE for years, and, from what I understand (and the way I generally work), the best way to start out in AE with an Illustrator file, is to send the layers in Illustrator out to separate files, then import to AE. In that way, you can make a change to a layer in Illustrator, then save it out, and it will replace the file in AE. Here’s a good article, with not so good news, on just this topic:
https://www.jamesmerry.co.uk/home/?p=388
Another good idea, if you have to update your AI files, is to create at least a couple of blank layers; that way, you can have these layers available to add to or change in the future.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
My guess would be to utilize something such as Particular, since it allows you to take a single layer (the soldier, for example), and turn it into multiples of the layer, controllable by other layers and shapes.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
In terms of having just the drop shadow: create your text, apply the Effect/Perspective/Drop Shadow to your text. In the Effect Controls panel you will see a check box at the bottom of the panel which says “Shadow Only”. When you click that check box, you will have only the Drop Shadow, without the text.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
And to add to David’s technical answer, “looking good on all displays” is an impossibility. Ignoring the fact that nearly all displays come from the factory with slightly different optimizations (mostly to look good in the showroom) across manufacturers, there is the sad fact that most viewers’ setups are straight from the factory – they have no idea that the capability even exists to tweak the color settings.
So you do your best to get color accuracy on your end, and the image ends up getting strained through a sock into a tin can! I worked for many years at a broadcast television station which, you would think, would have the strictest engineering standards for the monitors displaying our signal. Above the front desk in our lobby were 5 monitors – every single one of them having a slightly different color cast!
My conclusion is that you have to get it right to your eye, then make the client happy (with the caveat that it’s going to look slightly different everywhere the client sees it). Unless of course they want to pay you to come out and calibrate every monitor in their facility!
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
I think if you use the Drop Shadow Effect from the Perspective menu, you can set it to be Shadow Only. I don’t have AE open right now so I can’t check that.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
You need to learn about Equalization – there are several types in Audition, and you can find out about them here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/filter-equalizer-effects.html
There’s a little more in my answer here:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/168/858161
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
As Chris said, Element 3D will take 3D file imported from other packages. I’ve had it successfully take .obj files exported from 3DS Max, Blender, as well as CAD files imported to 3DS Max and saved out as .obj files. It will take C4D files as well, but I’ve had scattered luck with that (probably depends on the version of C4D the file was saved from).
Zaxwerks makes 3D Invigorator Pro, which does a lot of what Element 3D does, but I don’t know whether it’s as fast at rendering as Element 3D. You can try out either of these, and see which you prefer. Much of it depends on your workflow, and what 3D packages you might own. But back to your question, there is no way to directly import a 3DS file to After Effects CS6.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
In terms of third party software, Red Giant Planespace will do this, and lots more:
https://www.redgiant.com/products/planespace/
It’s the best 99 bucks you can spend…
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com