LOOKING FOR LYNDA

Recently, I signed up to www.lynda.com to access some training in Final Cut Studio.

There are many good free tutorials out there, but sometimes you need something that goes a bit more in-depth and has a good structure. And that means paying for it.

Now, as a member, I've just received an email saying they are giving away tutorials for Final Cut Studio 3 away free to everyone.

What irony.

It is only an overview AND it is obviously only for Final Cut Studio 3, but it should give you a good handle on the tools and power of any version of the studio. Either way, it's free so it's definitely worth a look.

AFTER EFFECTS TUTORIALS

PART ONE
I am an avid After Effects user. I've been using it for about a year now and I've found it to be a truly amazing and innovative program. I'm getting better everyday and I thought I'd share some of the tutorials that have got me to the stage I'm at now. These tutorials are only use the default plugins that come with after effects because that's all I have. The ones I've put here aren't about teaching you, bit by bit, how to do a cool effect. They're about teaching you techniques so you can generate your own.

So here goes:

1 - VideoCopilot Basic Training

Hosted by Andrew Kramer from videocopilot.net, this is a fantastic introduction to the main components of AE.

2 - VideoCopilot Set Extension

Staying with VideoCopilot this is a great tutorial for using motion-tracking and null objects in a real-world project.

3 - VideoCopilot 3D Stroke

One more from Kramer. This shows you the basics of creating a 3D environment, using depth of field, and, most importantly, gives you an expression for more control of CC Particle World.

4 - The MoGraph Blog - Mastering The Render Queue

Not the most exciting tutorial but, sooner or later, this will be one of the most helpful tutorials you will ever come across.

5 - Graymachine - Reverse Shatter

Great tutorial which shows a neat trick with illustrator and also, more importantly, a quick lesson in how illustrator and after effects combine.

6 - GreyScaleGorilla - How To Use Simple Shapes and Masks to Create an Entire Animation

Not the snappiest title I've ever come across. But if you're looking for a tutorial that demonstrates how a simple idea can really work, this is it.

Well, I think we'll leave it at 6 for now. I hope you find these tutorials as helpful as I have. Check around these sites for more great stuff too.

I'll have another couple of great tutorials coming your way soon!