http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/ Mark Simpson's library of tutorials, articles, reviews and more for media professionals world wide. en-us http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/arches.php In this article Mark Simpson discusses a technique to to model arches using Cinema 4D. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:23 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/arndts_book_rev.php In this article, Mark Simpson thoroughly explores the book Maxon Cinema 4D 7:A Workshop for 2D/3D Graphics Pros by Arndt von Koenigsmarck of Vreel-3D. In his review Mark looks at reasons why he thinks the book published by Peachpit Press is of genuine value as a resource. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:22 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/waterdrop.php In this article, Mark Simpson demonstrates how to use the BhodiNUT 'Proximal' shader in the displacement channel of a standard material to simulate the ripples created when an object is dropped into a body of water.This project requires Cinema 4D XL V7 or later (no external plug-ins are required). Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:22 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/tornado.php Mark Simpson uses the masking capabilities of After Effects along with some 3rd party plug-ins to simulate an animated Tornado. This tutorial is in response to the many requests about how to make a Tornado in After Effects. This simple tutorial uses the pen tool to create multiple masks in conjunction with the 'Turbulator' plug-in, to make a quick and dirty Tornado. It can't compete with the advanced particle emitters of a dedicated 3D app, but it is sure to be useful in some instances, where the lack of time or high end 3D tools required for a fully realistic tornado are not available. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/text_shatter1.php Mark Simpson uses Atomic Power Evolution 'Shatter' effect and Adobe Illustrator to simulate text being blown off of a page. Evolution is built into After Effects 5.0. This tutorial should be easily adapted for use with AE 5. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/surreal_text.php Mark Simpson uses The Foundry 'Tinderbox' plug-ins, T_Sky, T_Rays, & T_Blur filters to create some unique text effects against an artificial sky. In this first look at the new TinderBox series from The Foundry -- Mark Simpson explores some of the powers of the incredible fractal skies plug-in and the beauty of the TinderBox Rays plug-in. Mark's conclusions give high praise to a new set of AE plug-ins just beginning to grow in popularity among After Effects users. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/shine.php Mark Simpson has written this tutorial in response to the many requests for info on a sample movie he posted in the Trapcode Forum using Shine in After Effects. This tutorial was done in AE4.1 using Filters from the Cult Effects Collection and the new Trapcode Plug-in Shine. Here's the rundown of how Mark creates the effect. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/prepare_text.php This tutorial is in response to the many requests about how to use Adobe Illustrator to make the text files for the 'Animating Skies and Writing Text with Light' tutorial Mark Simpson wrote demonstrating the Foundry 'Tinderbox' set of Plug-ins for After Effects. This simple tutorial focuses on creating text for the aforementioned tutorial, but is useful for creating any text for use in AE. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/prepare_mattes.php Mark Simpson shows users how to create mattes in Adobe Illustrator for use in Adobe After Effects. If you're trying to do Mark's tutorial 'Animating Skies and Writing Text With Light!' but don't know how to use Illustrator, then this little 'sub-tutorial' is for you. Even if you're not doing Mark's tutorial, this is a handy tip to know. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/jamrack.php Mark Simpson uses Atomic Power Evolution 'Card Wipe' effect and Adobe After Effects Production Bundle's 'Motion Math' to simulate an LED style Audio Meter. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/growing_tree.php Mark Simpson uses Cult Effects 'CE Lightning', 'CE Radial Shadow' and Atomic Power Evolution 'Foam' effects to simulate a time-lapse like effect of tree being grown out of the ground and then leaves growing on the tree. This tutorial could easily be adapted to be used with the built-in plug-ins of AE 5. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/firehose_new.php This article will demonstrate how to set up the SplinMotion Plug-in to build an animation rig allowing you to animate a fire hose by moving only one null. The article will not focus on the modeling or texturing aspects of the project as they're really not important, but rather the rig used to animate the spline from which the firehose is formed. This principle can be used to animate any spline based model. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/articles/simpson_mark/beam.php Mark Simpson uses The Foundry Tinderbox plug-in T_Beam filter to sweep a narrow beam across a logo, eventually widening the beam to reveal the entire logo. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 GMT