http://library.creativecow.net Creative COW Library of tutorials, articles, reviews and more for media professionals world wide. en-us http://library.creativecow.net/articles/smith_stephen/motion_hologram.php Looking to create your own holographic effect? Let CreativeCOW.net Contributing Editor Stephen Smith show you how. This Apple Motion video tutorial will teach you what you need to know to create a hologram effect. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Shape_Tips_3.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to use shape layers to easily create that Old-School look where a red dashed line animates over a map to indicate travel destinations. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/johnson_nel/oasis.php When one of the worlds biggest rock and roll bands, Oasis, celebrated a careers worth of achievement, the film playing behind Rock-n-Roll Star was created by Creative Cow author Nel Johnson and the team at Studio Skylab. Learn the After Effects techniques that helped them complete the project under a ridiculous deadline, while wowing Oasis and a worldwide audience. As Nel puts it, We locked ourselves away, cranked up the music, and went nuts. In this Creative Cow Magazine Extra, we take a closer look at the story, starting with the creation of the films unique look. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Jumbotron.php Its game time baby! In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to create the look of a giant monitor, such as the kind you might see at a stadium or concert. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/Promo_Breakdown_Part_2.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern continue to show you how he designed the 3D Titles for his DVD Promo using Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro and how the final composite was made. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/Promo_Breakdown_Part_1.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern takes you behind the scenes and show you how he created the background animation for his DVD Promo using Trapcode 3D Stroke and Shine. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/hester_grinner/moddin.php The reality shooter has to be mobile and invisible. Futzing around with lighting, support and/or audio can simply mean missing the shot, and often does. Videographer/editor and longtime Cow leader Grinner Hester demonstrates how to mod on a budget in this unique little how-to. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/AE_Shortcuts.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to be an AE road warrior by changing the keyboard shortcuts to account for missing keys on a laptop - such as the Ram Preview key or the Audio Preview key. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/swanson_grant/Creating_Digital_Cinema.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Grant Swanson will explain how to simulate many elements to enhance your DV footage. Many techniques in this tutorial will show how to create effects similar to those in a popular software package. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/lau_dustin/get_fast_in_fcp.php It does not make you a better FCP editor, but no matter what kind of work you do, speed still matters. Cow author Dustin Lau shares some tips and tricks to accelerate your work in Final Cut Pro that even the old dogs can learn from. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/lau_dustin/mediamanagement.php Looking for better media management in Final Cut Pro? TV producer and Cow contributor Dustin Lau says it all begins with better file naming. He shows how its working at ESPN/Star Sports Asia, as they manage their workflow across multiple teams, under the high pressure of episodic TV deadlines. It will work for you too. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/lau_dustin/get_a_life.php Sure, being replaceable can be scary -- but sometimes you NEED somebody to step in and help. Here are some of the tricks that Cow author Dustin Lau has learned for project set-up, file naming, and clear communication with other members on the team. These tricks will create smooth hand-offs from you to your temporary replacement -- and back to you when you return, without driving anyone crazy. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/russell_jake/skip.php Creative Cow Contributor Jake Russell takes you deep into the advanced navigation capabilities in Apple DVD Studio Pro to show you how to take complete control over menu navigation. In this case, hell show you how to make the chapter skip button take you to a menu. It might SOUND easy, but if youve tried it, you might actually think its impossible -- but not if you follow Jakes direction. Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/CCQT_6_Remove_Color_MAtting.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz adds to the concepts he covered in his tutorial Straight Vs. Premultiplied. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/castaneda_alvaro/Maya_Tutorial_005.php Particles are a great world to explore. In this video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Alvaro Castaneda, well learn how to create particles in very simple ways. We also add collision objects gravity and render them in a liquid like mesh. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_tony/Animating_Text_01.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Tony Ross demonstrates how to to create a simple text animation in Flash using Motion tweens and the Distribute to Layers command. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/reeve_dylan/48hours.php Dylan Reeve and a small team of New Zealand filmmakers had 48 hours to get their assignment, write a script, direct, shoot and post their film, then hand in the finished show...oh yeah, and refine their RED shooting and editing skills under the gun while trying to beat out 230 other teams! Sound wild? You have no idea.... Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/Crime_Chaos2.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern will show you how to project text on the floor using light transmission feature in After Effects. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/castaneda_alvaro/Maya_Tutorial_004.php In this video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Alvaro Castaneda, we will create a nice looking effect in Maya that emulates the half-tone print effect. This tutorial shows that Maya can create looks not traditionally associated with 3D rendering applications. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_tony/Masking_writing.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Tony Ross demonstrates how to create text writing itself via masking in Flash. Tools used include Brush tool, Selection tool as well as masking. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/Crime_Chaos1.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern shows you a how to build a 3D scene using Photoshop CS3 Vanishing Point and re-light it inside After Effects. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/castaneda_alvaro/Maya_Tutorial_003.php In this Maya video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Alvaro Castaneda, youll learn why is important to keep everything nice and organized into projects. Well also learn other ways to create folders by using the mighty command line / shell. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/bolton_roger/veeyou.php VFX artist Roger Bolton has worked on films including The Lord of the Rings, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Kingdom of Heaven. He has also created effects for his own use -- in this case, a wide variety of 2D and 3D VU meters, automatically animated by the audio in your project. He now offers these 8 plug-ins to artists using Final Cut Pro, After Effects and Motion -- with no watermarks, no time limits, no price tag. Please note: these plug-ins are MAC ONLY. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Shape_Tips_2.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to combine several shapes to make a complex shape. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/castaneda_alvaro/Maya_Tutorial_002.php In this Maya video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Alvaro Castaneda, we add shaders to our geometry to later light and render our final logo. This is part 2 of a 2 part series Creating a Logo in Maya. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/cowdog/ccms-new-0608.php Article Focus: Now on sale!! Introducing the 3 newest DVDs in the Creative Cow Master Series, training even artists can afford. Learn secrets of advanced rotoscoping and compositing, real-world motion graphics that you can start using right away, and the CS3 tutorials you need to take your work to the next level from true masters from the craft. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/swanson_grant/Final2_mixdown2.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Grant Swanson will explain how to use the After Effects Motion Tracker to remove unwanted jitter and movement while still retaining the original motion of the sequence through the use of an expression or manual keyframes in After Effects. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/Walk_in_the_Park.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern shows you a how to track objects that are moving out of frame using expressions and AE motion tracker. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/castaneda_alvaro/Maya_Tutorial_001.php In this video tutorial from CreativeCOW contributor Alvaro Castaneda, we begin by tracing the logo in a vector app, then use that to start building the logo, using Maya to bring it to life. This is part 1 of a 2 part series Creating a Logo in Maya. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/CCQT_5_Perspective_Offset.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you a cool tip for adding depth to your Fractal Noise animations. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/weiss_roth_david/spartan_pro.php Recently, CreativeCOW leader, David Roth Weiss purchased his very first CD and DVD duplicator. After a lot of research he chose the ILY SpartanPro, and it did not take him long to realize that he should not have gone so long without one. Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Shape_Tips_1.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to move beyond the Basic shape tools to create your own custom shapes. Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_tony/AS3_colors_site.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Tony Ross revisits the tutorial how to build a basic site about Colors in Flash. This version is created using Actionscript 3. The basic principles learned from this tutorial will enable the user to create a variety of simple websites. Elements covered are basic Actionscript 3, navigation, labels, button and graphic symbols. Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/cowdog/poets.php Creative COW Magazines Music Video issue featured a look at the making of Poets of the Falls Carnival of Rust, one of the most imaginative music videos we have seen. Created in Helsinki, Finland by director Stobe Harju and director of photography Eki Halkka, you can read about the making of Carnival of Rust in our free Music Video issue, and here in this magazine extras page you will find links to the videos, interview podcasts, more on the band, their music, as well as the music videos of Stobe and Eki. Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/swanson_grant/sin_city2.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Grant Swanson will cover important and useful techniques for working with alpha channels that are specifically derived from certain color luminance values. He will explain how to extract the color of a certain area of the image, turn it into an alpha channel, and use it to manipulate the image. Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/Tornado_Text2.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern enhances the 3D ribbon text composition by adding a ripple effect to the floor plus a flock of fireflies that dance around the scene. Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/wilson_tim/fcserver.php Everybody wants to know, what is Final Cut Server? And if they know the answer (hint: a very, very big deal), they want to know if it actually works. Who better to ask than people actually using it? The answers provided will change as the situation does, but this is where you can find everything you need to know about Final Cut Server, in real time. Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/hurwicz_michael/hp_xw4600.php Creative Cow Leader Michael Hurwicz looks at The HP XW4600 Workstation and finds it a good value in terms of price/performance and productivity. Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/smith_stephen/stack_traxx.php In need of some high-end royalty free music that can fit any media professionals budget? Creative Cow Contributing Editor Stephen Smith explains why Digital Juices StackTraxx layered music library can be the perfect solution for your next project. Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/Tornado_Text1.php In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Eran Stern shows you a very cool way to create 3D ribbon text animation using After Effects CS3 Text tool. Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/reeve_dylan/xdcamex.php Creative Cow Contributing Editor Dylan Reeve says that the EX1 is another Sony breakthrough. A truly professional camera, the XDCAM EX1 offers format and workflow advantages previously unseen in other small cameras. Dylan will show you how the camera works, and how the footage works with your favorite NLE, while also looking ahead to the PMW-EX3. Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/shanks_andrew/on_set_articlev3.php In this article Creative Cow Leader Andrew Shanks plans to go through some of the software options for checking greenscreens on set (Lensfeed, Veescope and Conduit Live). Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/murphy_kurt/invigorator_tr_rev.php Broadcast designer Kurt Murphy has been using After Effects since it went by the name of CoSA, but even then, Kurt found its one big drawback was the inability to create true 3D objects in 3D space. That is until Zaxwerks Invigorator came along. And now Zaxwerks Invigorator Training (Volume 1) by Serge Hamad is the perfect solution to get up to speed using this plug-in. Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Copy_Expression.php In this video tutorial, CreativeCow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you a menu item for speeding up the process of copying expressions to other layers, without typing or altering the current values. Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_tony/action-title_template.php In this video tutorial from CreativeCOW leader Tony Ross, you will learn to create an Action/ Title Safe template in Flash. Use this as a guide when making animations or motion graphics going to DVD or TV. Using rectangle tool, transform window, saving layers as a guide, and learn to save a document as a template. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/cowdog/automator.php Apple Automator is a tiny application included with Mac OS X with big power, quickly and easily creating custom workflows based on the work you actually do - no programming required. Its the perfect way to handle those pesky repetitive tasks in FCP. Do something once, then let Automator take it from there. This handy little tool can make the difference between keeping and losing your sanity -- and making or missing your deadline. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Show_Waveform.php In this video tutorial, CreativeCow leader Aharon Rabinowitz returns to the subject of Audio (Workflow tips #8) and shares a tip for working with audio waveforms that he got from an AE user via email. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harvey_jim/excalibur_6.php If you read the review of Excalibur 4.5 from Jim Harvey in 2005, you know that he liked the plug in very much. So much so that he gave it the full 5 cows. So it will come as no surprise that Jim likes the newest edition as well. In this review, Jim points out that there are some very nice and useful additions to the toolset that will interface seamlessly with the new Vegas Pro 8 editing package. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/oneil_bill/SlamDunk.php Fix it in post? This article shows how to BUILD it in post. Here in April, as March Madness ends and the NBA Playoffs begin, the Cows Bill ONeill shows how he combined greenscreen, 2D graphics and 3D compositing in a remarkable promo for Big Ten basketball. This Web Extra from Bills article in the Cow Magazines Commercials issue shows you rough edits along the way, and shares some of the production secrets for building an entire world in post. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/smith_stephen/expanding_assets.php Who doesnt love high quality free stuff? Let Creative Cow Contributing Editor Stephen Smith be your maitre D. Hell provide a menu that will show you some of the best places to get free video, photo and audio assets that will benefit every media professional. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT