FAQ

=Welcome to the FAQ section!=

Got a problem? Ask them here! Know the answer, then answer here.

Don't know how to link? Confused about uploading pictures? Any other questions, feel free to ask them here. There are no questions such as a stupid question.

JAN 30
Hi Andrew,

Sorry to bug you but I am really struggling with the effects in after effects. I have watched the tutorials but can't find what I want or make it do what I want. I am trying to change the colour of some of my text with the effects thing and I am not getting any results. I have used the keyframes and tried to change the colour from the start to finish. I am also trying to make it melt but all i can do is make it liquefy, I want to make it melt down into a puddle or solid shape.

If you have any suggestions that would be great.

Thanks, Haley

Answer:
hey haley,

if you want to change the colour of your text and animate it as the animation goes. you can try applying a hue/saturation on it. colourize, then animate the hue throughout the animation so the colours change.

i've never done a melting effect before, myself. it seems like you're going in the right direction though. as you liquify, try subtlely scaling down the type in height.

also you don't have to use the same layer for the whole effect. you can duplicate the layer, and have the first layer creating some visual goodness until it reaches a point, then you can jump to the other layer that's positioned correctly to look like its the conclusion of the first layer.

remember, it's about creating a visual illusion. the animation will reach a point where it looks good enough. then you can switch things on the audience, and they'll still be with you.

a side note: have you tried searching the creative cow after effects forums? andrew

1) Just to clarify... did you want us to burn a DVD with our video and process work for each exercise? So next week we would be handing in a disk for exercise 1 and 2? Because the briefs just say we will need a copy of all the videos on DVD for archival purposes at the end of the course which kinda confused me after your email.

- Cory

1. Yes, I thought about this and it's better that we do this as we go through the course.
 * ANSWER:**

Please create a DVD with your final video, all rough renders, After Effects Project file (using the Collect Files method i showed in class), etc. Since the first exercise was not made on the computer as much, I skipped gathering all the files, so just do this for everything except for Exercise 1.

Also, please burn your final movie from the first Exercise onto this disc in a separate clearly labelled folder. This will be easier than trying to find your files at the end of the semester and burning a disc then, I think!

2. Update your wiki with the process of what you're doing. This will be used in your presentation of your work to the class.

So, in effect, the wiki will be used as the //narrative// of your process (inspirations, challenges, process, thoughts). That's what I'll look at to understand your exploration. Then burn your final project to a DVD with all work files and renders to hand in. Two parts: wiki narrative and hard copy of all files/renders.

Hope that clears things up! Andrew