http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/index.htmlInformation and training for Apple Motionenmarkspencer@mac.comCopyright 2006 Day Street Productions, Inc.2006-12-20T20:40:37-08:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 20:57:17 -0800markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-12-20T20:40:37-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/e4731a6d76b8076a7191ce1b3779b9cc-41.html#unique-entry-id-41http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/e4731a6d76b8076a7191ce1b3779b9cc-41.html#unique-entry-id-41
The company that lost an "n" has released an awesome light rays type plug-in called Volumetrix. Very sweet, and leverages your graphics card through the FxPlug architecture for realtime performance. Very nice site with great examples. Nice job, Mr. Wiggins!]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-12-20T20:34:44-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/eb2e08633737134da5a7f1fdbc3fe180-40.html#unique-entry-id-40http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/eb2e08633737134da5a7f1fdbc3fe180-40.html#unique-entry-id-40
The momentum is gaining for FxPlug, now that it is supported in Final Cut Pro as well as Motion. That's right, did you know if you have Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 or higher, that you can use Motion's filters right inside Final Cut Pro? Things are getting interesting. CHV Electronics (the company name sounds like a place where you'd order a home radio kit, doesn't it?) has released three packages of plugins: Magic 3D FX, Morphing FX, and a free package: Towers of Film 3D FX. Check them out, let me know what you think.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-10-29T16:23:39-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/a311b7dc95fe767862e1682ed5514b75-39.html#unique-entry-id-39http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/a311b7dc95fe767862e1682ed5514b75-39.html#unique-entry-id-39
These guys had a flyer out at NAB last April and it's been a long wait (the flyer said this product was "coming Summer 2006"), but finally Noise Industries has released its FX Factory set of expandable plugins. Now that Final Cut Pro (as of version 5.1.2) supports FxPlug, these plugins will work in both Motion and Final Cut Pro. The interesting thing about these filters is the "expandable" part - if you buy their FXFactory Pro software, you can create and modify your own visual effects plugins (filters and generators). I've only had a quick peek through the plugins so far, but definitely worth a look. You can see screenshots of the FxFactory Motion pack here, and here is a review by David Saraceno on kenstone.net.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-09-06T06:14:33-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9592a1f5c811ddb7d3199f0731e874ce-38.html#unique-entry-id-38http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9592a1f5c811ddb7d3199f0731e874ce-38.html#unique-entry-id-38
Stephen Schleicher over at DigitalMediaNet brings us Quick Tip #56, this time explaining how to roundtrip from Final Cut Pro to Motion with anamorphically squeezed material and keep everything looking correct.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-08-18T08:22:06-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/f4566fd3733db94ca94c397700786268-37.html#unique-entry-id-37http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/f4566fd3733db94ca94c397700786268-37.html#unique-entry-id-37
There has been an ongoing thread over at Apple's Motion forum discussing fun things you can do with Motion - several participants post movies as well as project files to show how they accomplished their particular design feats - check it out for some inspiration.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-08-17T08:03:20-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/ab8bac29bd42c25c899818b879eacd95-36.html#unique-entry-id-36http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/ab8bac29bd42c25c899818b879eacd95-36.html#unique-entry-id-36
Dave Nagel provides us with an excellent tutorial that explains how to use generators and filters to make a banner blow in the wind. If you like it, you'll really like the 3D Flag plug-in for Motion from Zaxwerks.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-08-01T19:24:46-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/55cc4c58d78f85b5f16d1a2f08e0d95d-35.html#unique-entry-id-35http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/55cc4c58d78f85b5f16d1a2f08e0d95d-35.html#unique-entry-id-35
Here's an extremely clearly articulated method for compositing elements together with a light wrap effect from the prodigious and ever enigmatic specialcase who once again makes it easy to understand how to use Motion to do something complex and useful.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-07-26T08:26:48-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/3151721622b41e4ea0e6a97f55e9e95a-34.html#unique-entry-id-34http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/3151721622b41e4ea0e6a97f55e9e95a-34.html#unique-entry-id-34
A good tip from Apple on how to work with Photoshop and Illustrator files. Surprisingly, it doesn't mention the drag, wait, drop method of choosing how to import a multi-layered Photoshop document, which is faster. ]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-07-26T08:24:22-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/3d1290a15c22d109e038422a227d75fc-33.html#unique-entry-id-33http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/3d1290a15c22d109e038422a227d75fc-33.html#unique-entry-id-33
A short overview from Apple on how to create titles with Motion - see the Tutorials page for more in-depth information on working with text in Motion.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-07-12T16:51:59-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/22666373800ff590b87e1a4e30109624-32.html#unique-entry-id-32http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/22666373800ff590b87e1a4e30109624-32.html#unique-entry-id-32
Short little tutorial from Digital Post Production author Dave Nagel on an alternative to keyframing behaviors when you want them to start and stop.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-07-08T16:23:24-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/781be453c74803bc0b8cf8bc4a516e98-31.html#unique-entry-id-31http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/781be453c74803bc0b8cf8bc4a516e98-31.html#unique-entry-id-31
Well, Special Case is at it again - another excellent tutorial, this time showing us how to create reflections ala iWeb but animated of course.
]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-06-07T13:52:59-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/a184177bfda120e729bd1d5558c15909-30.html#unique-entry-id-30http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/a184177bfda120e729bd1d5558c15909-30.html#unique-entry-id-30Apple says it's not supported, but according to Dave Nagel, it works quite well.

Comments?
]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-05-18T17:15:48-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/3fa6241ca861a97432a2731f398a5056-29.html#unique-entry-id-29http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/3fa6241ca861a97432a2731f398a5056-29.html#unique-entry-id-29
The enigmatic "specialcase" has create another new excellent free tutorial - this one explains how to make a very cool text effect using particles.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-04-08T12:53:05-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/5e9fcd760743a26218b82f9aa74d56e8-28.html#unique-entry-id-28http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/5e9fcd760743a26218b82f9aa74d56e8-28.html#unique-entry-id-28
Peter Wiggins has come up with a new free template, this time a very cool radar effect. Check it out here, where you can also find his 5 other great templates. Note that the template was created with Universal Binaries so you'll need Motion version 2.1.1 or higher to run it - but it should run on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. Thanks, Peter!]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-03-22T22:40:04-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/fedf2ce7abceb504a4528d9eb651490f-27.html#unique-entry-id-27http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/fedf2ce7abceb504a4528d9eb651490f-27.html#unique-entry-id-27I haven't played with this yet myself, but have heard good things about it. According to their website, "AutoMotion is a groundbreaking new application which automates the production and management of multiple graphics in conjunction with Apple’s Motion." If you've used it, comment here.
]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-03-20T09:08:12-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/2fc1105ba2fc981e03104adf30b89f94-26.html#unique-entry-id-26http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/2fc1105ba2fc981e03104adf30b89f94-26.html#unique-entry-id-26Ken Stone's extraordinary site of Apple Pro apps articles and reviews is now pushing 600 articles - and until today, all on one page! He's reorganized the site, and now Motion enthusiasts can get straight to the Motion articles without all that scrolling. Check them out.

]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-03-12T20:59:57-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/b2d4f4e906ebb3cdc6299342a2dbc7f9-25.html#unique-entry-id-25http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/b2d4f4e906ebb3cdc6299342a2dbc7f9-25.html#unique-entry-id-25The ever creative and ever generous has come up with another nice little Motion gift for all of you who have wanted to simulate the original Star Wars opening.

]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-03-01T10:33:45-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9f1ffdb6439aab9fb0aef87437bba38f-24.html#unique-entry-id-24http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9f1ffdb6439aab9fb0aef87437bba38f-24.html#unique-entry-id-24Steve Martin from Ripple Training has just posted this nifty new tutorial - the link will directly download the Quicktime movie as well as the project file. Great stuff, Steve, thanks!

]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-02-11T12:44:02-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/94aaef735eab5bf65d1410c87eef51b9-23.html#unique-entry-id-23http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/94aaef735eab5bf65d1410c87eef51b9-23.html#unique-entry-id-23Once again the enigmatic, talented and generous Special Case offers up his/her talents for free on their Motion Smarts website - this time it's a layer preset (scroll to the bottom of the page) that you can simply drag in from your File Browser in Motion and drop onto footage to give it that old film look.

]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-31T07:06:33-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/f917a71dd9317c7f743494f461cb3bd3-22.html#unique-entry-id-22http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/f917a71dd9317c7f743494f461cb3bd3-22.html#unique-entry-id-22An article on Ken Stone's site by yours truly, discussing several options for working with speed changes in Motion.

]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-26T20:26:30-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/2ff79fa43877e3a604e32062718b2e9b-21.html#unique-entry-id-21http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/2ff79fa43877e3a604e32062718b2e9b-21.html#unique-entry-id-21A loopable, rotating 3d dollar sign, yours for the downloading. Complete with an alpha channel so will key easily in your Motion project. Nice guy, that Peter.

]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-21T06:44:51-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/be88babd0c37cc44d5118506d52c437b-20.html#unique-entry-id-20http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/be88babd0c37cc44d5118506d52c437b-20.html#unique-entry-id-20Just came across these - they have 2 different DVDs for learning Motion: Mastering Motion 2 and Advanced Motion 2. If you've seen them, let me know what you think.

]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-20T06:42:17-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/32e3fb963403437b4b8494fee7f48556-19.html#unique-entry-id-19http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/32e3fb963403437b4b8494fee7f48556-19.html#unique-entry-id-19Motion Quick Tip 3: Particles on a Motion Path
Dave Nagle shows us how to use particles to create an animated dotted line. You can do the same thing with the replicator; here's an article from Special Case that explains how. ]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-17T16:13:25-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/25ca4d1f60320deaa438d3fda60a7a85-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/25ca4d1f60320deaa438d3fda60a7a85-18.html#unique-entry-id-18Here is a link DV Knowledgebase.org website to an FAQ regarding Apple's new pricing structure effective immediately ]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-16T13:07:49-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/2c9f8ad0f37d4e8e0b15961dd6d80a7f-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/2c9f8ad0f37d4e8e0b15961dd6d80a7f-17.html#unique-entry-id-17Working with mulitple Motion Paths: builds on the first Quick Tip, explains how to trim behaviors in the timeline. Good beginner info. I personally prefer to use keyframes for this sort of animation because you can control the interpolation, but the tip does discuss some important concepts.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-16T12:55:38-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/8829a956cbfa35ffac54a72f3e7b13fc-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/8829a956cbfa35ffac54a72f3e7b13fc-16.html#unique-entry-id-16DMO (Digital Media Online) has officially launched the Apple Motion Channel, the latest member of the DMN (Digital Media Net) portal of publications serving creative professionals.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-13T13:53:27-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/6bed72fb66a0a5a707f4f6684d2962b3-15.html#unique-entry-id-15http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/6bed72fb66a0a5a707f4f6684d2962b3-15.html#unique-entry-id-15Catching up on my email, I found these and 7 other great little Quicktime tutorials on Szymon Masiak's site. One deals with using the Replicator to create an animated ripped paper effect, and the other uses the Replicator to create a video wall of random images. Check out all of Szymon's tutorials and his forum in the Tutorials section and the Forums section. ]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-11T06:45:01-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/1c83d126e02abbfa921803d4ee149ebe-14.html#unique-entry-id-14http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/1c83d126e02abbfa921803d4ee149ebe-14.html#unique-entry-id-14Motion Paths: using paths and behaviors for simple animation on macanimationpro.com. A short beginner tip with movies examples on how to use the Basic Motion behaviors Motion Path and Snap Alignment to Motion. ]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-10T10:31:03-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/525cf9f62045486083104b00403c816c-13.html#unique-entry-id-13http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/525cf9f62045486083104b00403c816c-13.html#unique-entry-id-13After managing this site for the past year and a half, the list of resources has gotten too large to fit on a single page, so I've broken the site up into categories listed on the right to make it easier to find exactly what you are looking for. I've also added comments, an RSS feed, and a little indicator to show if I'm available via iChat. I'm using RapidWeaver to manage the site now - a little restrictive but nice and simple. I hope you like the changes, feedback always welcome. ]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-06T13:31:40-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/0bf17746246683c13becfc1ab5d3028a-12.html#unique-entry-id-12http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/0bf17746246683c13becfc1ab5d3028a-12.html#unique-entry-id-12The first Motion training DVD to be updated for Motion version 2. Check the DVDs link. As soon as my copy arrives and I work through it, I'll post my thoughts. In the meantime, Alex Alexzander has already written a review on LAFCPUG's site.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2006-01-02T17:34:00-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/79033eaff6732ac8a9e7dae908ef965e-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/79033eaff6732ac8a9e7dae908ef965e-11.html#unique-entry-id-11Another great Replicator tutorial from Special Case. He has a small, excellent site where he posts his articles and downloads.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-12-06T17:33:04-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/096d76f82b8708a8b1f3b1f42a7be495-10.html#unique-entry-id-10http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/096d76f82b8708a8b1f3b1f42a7be495-10.html#unique-entry-id-10Countdown Clock and Filmstrip templates from Peter Wiggins]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-11-16T17:32:12-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/d5b99ac066ddb02496cc653c6f5a9cd1-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/d5b99ac066ddb02496cc653c6f5a9cd1-9.html#unique-entry-id-9Layer Scale by Dave Nagel
In this article, Dave does a great job explaining how layers scale based on the objects they contain, and when and why to use the Fixed Resolution checkbox. Special Case has also written a tutorial on the same subject that provides a more detailed overview.]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-11-11T17:28:37-08:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/fc9b764dd37e7f2d620a885eee07fb54-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/fc9b764dd37e7f2d620a885eee07fb54-8.html#unique-entry-id-8MIDI in Motion 2, Part 2 by Dave Nagel]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-10-25T17:27:40-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/7c80fa5dcd6f69678893cbdfa4d71a87-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/7c80fa5dcd6f69678893cbdfa4d71a87-7.html#unique-entry-id-7Tickling the Ivoroids - Midi in Motion 2 Part 1by Dave Nagel]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-10-23T17:26:52-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/85b555ca74b3f167ead4c64c9e41342e-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/85b555ca74b3f167ead4c64c9e41342e-6.html#unique-entry-id-6Getting Starting in Motion DVD from Ripple Training]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-09-26T17:26:01-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/5a88920c3bf9895b8fa246bc7d7d456d-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/5a88920c3bf9895b8fa246bc7d7d456d-5.html#unique-entry-id-5Replicators in Motion 2, Part 2 by Dave Nagel]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-09-21T17:24:36-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/39dc7b18fc81a4c8bc9380370be6647f-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/39dc7b18fc81a4c8bc9380370be6647f-4.html#unique-entry-id-4Replicator tutorial: "Flow" by Special Case]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-09-15T17:23:21-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9ea68338aeae363c1ce13771a912b6b4-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9ea68338aeae363c1ce13771a912b6b4-3.html#unique-entry-id-3Replicators in Motion 2 by Dave Nagel]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-08-22T17:17:27-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9ecde1a3addcbbbd592bb4661e8c82bc-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/9ecde1a3addcbbbd592bb4661e8c82bc-2.html#unique-entry-id-2Motion templates from Motion|VFX]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-08-04T17:17:15-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/7e3beaa9a350563911200799c60f4ab8-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/7e3beaa9a350563911200799c60f4ab8-1.html#unique-entry-id-1DVGarage releases dvMatte Blast real-time dv/hdv/hd keyer for Motion 2]]>markspencer@mac.comMotion News2005-07-20T17:16:59-07:00http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/cfbd2fdc7ef4e6914c99bb2c7f3a63cb-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://homepage.mac.com/markspencer/motion/files/cfbd2fdc7ef4e6914c99bb2c7f3a63cb-0.html#unique-entry-id-0Motion 2 Review by Dave Nagel at Creative Mac]]>