[Mike Sevigny]

Uncompressed AVIs are very large and will likely stutter during playback, especially on a ‘crappy MacBook Pro’. Also, I’m on PC but when I encode to uncompressed AVI I select ‘None’ when selecting a codec.

You can try other conversion options
– VLC can convert to AVI on a mac (and play them back)
– If you install Flip4Mac than your QT Pro will be able to output AVI

Mike

[Mike Sevigny]

try to keyframe the ‘levels’ effect under ‘color correction’

[Mike Sevigny]

The comp looks fine, having it be black and white certainly helps blend things together. I can see that the wind is blowing through the tall grass but it’s not affecting the flame. Yo can add displacement to the flame footage so it matches the breeze a bit better.

Mike Sevigny
https://www.torusfx.com

[Mike Sevigny]

After Effects allows you to add additional parameters to use with your expressions. Under ‘Effect’ at the top of the application, select ‘Expression Controls‘ > ‘Point Control‘. This will give you additional parameters to link or keyframe.

So in the case above, you could add the new ‘Point Control’ to your expression instead of the +value. Have a look at the other options in the ‘Expression Controls’ menu. Note that you can also rename the parameters by selecting the name in your ‘Effect Controls’ panel and hitting [ENTER], like you would in your ‘Project Panel’.

Good luck!

Mike Sevigny
https://www.torusfx.com

[Mike Sevigny]

Files that are named the same could pose a serious problem. Get into the habit of renaming those to something descriptive of the specific file. Organizing files is not always easy but it’s specific to the project you’re working on. I like to use the following folder structure depending on what’s needed.

Each project should have its own folder in your ‘Projects’ drive. Inside that folder you should have various directories:
> 3D (all 3D elements provided by department)
> aeSaves (properly labeled ae projects)
> elements (downloads, templates)
> media (all my footage)
> references (any references provided by client, etc.)
> renders (dated folders with labeled renders)

You may need different folders for your work. Start with a folder structure and over time you’ll have what works for you. Even though you’re the only one working in the project, it’s a good habit to label and keep things organized as if someone else was going to open it. It could happen..

Mike Sevigny
https://www.torusfx.com

[Mike Sevigny]

You can add ‘+value’ to the expression. It’ll allow you to move the layer where you want it while still having it follow ‘Bla Bla’. You can also independently animate it using it’s own keyframes

(thisComp.layer(“Bla Bla”).transform.position.valueAtTime(time-(3/25)))+value

You can also add yourself a Position Expression Control from the Effects and add its value if the above is impossible for your current setup.

Mike Sevigny
https://www.torusfx.com

[Mike Sevigny]

hey Guys,
thank you for the help.
It turns out all I had to do was turn off:
‘Use Display Color Management’ in the ‘View’ menu and all is well.

Now onto the LUT and CDL.
thanks again,
Mike

[Mike Sevigny]

It should be fine to get that LUT but I can’t get the plates to look accurate on import. sRGB, Rec709, etc. I’ve spend the last day trying every combination of import settings (Project Color & Interpret Color).

If I set the project to Rec709 and ‘preserve RGB’ on the footage it brings me close. It appears that the gamma is off. If I through levels on it and reduce the gamma to 0.8636 (2.2 to 1.9) it looks VERY close which leads me to believe that there is a gamma issue with my settings. If I can only get it to import correctly we would be in business.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m requesting that LUT right now but the problem still remains.

Mike Sevigny

[Mike Sevigny]

Very useful little script.
thanks a million, it’ll save hours+.

Mike

[Mike Sevigny]

Walker, this is brilliant!

I’m wondering if it’s possible to select more then one shape layer and apply the script. After trying a couple of things I think illustrator won’t accept multiple layers but I figured I’d ask the experts.

I am in your dept.

Mike Sevigny
mike@torusfx.com
https://www.torusfx.com