Article Focus: In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Michael Park shows you how to create a realistic 3d earth, complete with clouds and atmosphere, using only After Effects' built in effects. Special attention will be given to combining multiple instances of the CC Sphere effect to create unique layers with different specular properties for the land and water masses, as well as creating lights from urban centers on the night side of the earth.
Hey, might be a stupid question, if so please forgive. I'm really wondering why there is no option on my browser to pause your tutorial. Is there something i'm not seeing?
Making it more photorealistic
by Lee Loechler on Aug 13, 2009
Amazing Tutorial! Thanks so much!
I spent a lot of time tweaking the resulting earth to make it look photorealistic [as close as possible to actual pictures of the earth from space.] For people trying to make their earth as photorealistic as possible, I have some suggestions:
1. Instead of using 'Screen' to composite the atmosphere, try using 'Hard Light' and then fine tune using the lighting section of CC Sphere. This gives the earth a darker blue coloring and makes the whole thing less glossy.
2. Nest the composition, then add an 'Unsharp Mask' Filter to the whole thing. Makes it look more like pictures.
Instead of this:
The earth will look more like this:
Hope that helps!
Hey guys, Sorry about the lack
by Mike Park on Jul 27, 2009
Hey guys,
Sorry about the lack of controls. It must be a flv thing. I will see if I can get this sorted for the future. Thanks for the positive feedback. If you are having any trouble at all, let me know, and I will help you out. You can post here or can find me at the Trapcode forum here at the cow.
Creating a Realistic 3d Earth using only AE
by Don Kipilii on Jul 26, 2009
Great Job Mike. Frustrating without the controls to pause and rewind your tutorial. I must've re-started your tutorial over about 15 times and waited for it to get to the part I missed or was trying to catch up on. Again, great tutorial and thanks for your work
Wonderful tutorial! I'm using the techniques from this in another project. The explanation is very easy to follow.
Only issue I had is there are no transport controls on the bottom of the window when viewing this tutorial. Would prefer to replay portions that didn't sink in the first time(s).
Awesome! Thanx very much Michael! This
by Leo Blees on Jun 5, 2009
Awesome! Thanx very much Michael! This will be perfect to use in the intro I'm working on. Appreciate it very much!!
Looking forward to the next one.
Keep up the good work!
Peace!
Leo
Creating a Realistic 3d Earth using only AE
by Ged Yeates on May 17, 2009
Forgot to add my rating...definitely five cows!
Ged Yeates Scotland)
Creating a Realistic 3d Earth using only AE
by Ged Yeates on May 17, 2009
Michael
Your tutorial was just perfect! I had just received a request for a graphic to explain the effect of the Moon on the Earth's ocean tides and was trying to produce a more realistic looking Earth using only After Effects with no real idea of how to go about it when I discovered your tutorial. Your explanation and walk through the procedure was always clear and easy to understand and following your instruction has produced a graphic my client is delighted with.
Your efforts in producing this tutorial were well worth it as I'm sure I'm not alone in having gained an insight into producing a quality animation of the Earth and it is all down to your relaxed and concise teaching style which made the whole animation project rather enjoyable to undertake.
Thanks for your help - Ged Yeates (Scotland)
Creating a Realistic 3d Earth using only AE
by Mike Park on Mar 13, 2009
Thank you for your kind comments. I learned much of what I know of after effects from the generocity of others willing to teach and enjoy giving back to the community. Knowing I am helping you guys makes all the time and effort spent in developing these tutorials worth it. If you have any other tutorial topics you would like to see, throw them out there and it may be the feature of an upcoming tutorial.
Thanks again for your kind words.
Creating a Realistic 3d Earth using only AE
by John Corbett on Mar 13, 2009
Outstanding video, Michael. Not only have you highlighted a little-known feature of After Effects, you did it in a way that was patient and thorough. I've only been using AE for about five months, and I had no difficulty whatsoever following along, which isn't true of every video tutorial I've ever watched. Thank you for taking the time to explain shortcuts for things like expressions, even when you've already done so once in a tutorial; seeing it more than once helps with reinforcement and learning. I wish all videos were this thorough.
Creating a Realistic 3d Earth using only AE
by Rob Mize on Mar 13, 2009
Michael... that's fantastic... very inspiring.
I look forward to your next tutorial.
Thanks very much...
Rob Mize
Creating a Realistic 3d Earth using only AE
by Gregory Butner on Mar 12, 2009
I had no idea I could do 3d that looks this good with After Effects. Thanks! This tutorial has just opened up many new possibilities for me in AE.
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