Ever wonder how the pros get their work looking so sharp?

The popular and proven Making It Look Great™ video workshop series has been designed to answer that question. Throughout these in-depth DVD workshops, professional motion graphics designers demonstrate techniques essential to their daily work and give the design decisions and rationale that support them.

The featured projects are demonstrated step–by–step from start to finish, giving priceless insight into what it takes to design and produce professional broadcast motion graphics.

Making It Look Great™ 1

Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects & Zaxwerks ProAnimator

Senior broadcast designer and After Effects expert
John Dickinson guides you step–by–step through real–world techniques for creating an impactful broadcast motion graphics promotion. 

Topics include: Making backgrounds with ProAnimator, Fractal Noise and other effects • Using ProAnimator primitives and textures to create the planet Mars • Using After Effects versus ProAnimator cameras and lights • Enhancing your work’s mood and “watch-ability factor” • Secrets to getting faster workflow • Preparing Illustrator files for the smoothest workflow • Modelling, texturing and animating logos in ProAnimator • Using ProAnimator for beyond–the–ordinary text animations • Workflow tips for creating multiple versions • Design and production tricks for integrating logos and text using effects such as Trapcode Shine, Starglow, Knoll Light Factory and more.

Check out the free Introduction movie.

Making It Look Great™ 2

 

Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects & Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro

Sit with freelance artist and After Effects expert 
Alan Shisko as he walks you through his favorite techniques, tips and tricks for creating a stunning broadcast news animation sequence. 

Topics include: Learning how to think like a designer • Effective project workflow • Pro-level modeling and texturing with Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro • Advanced techniques for transforming and deforming Invigorator objects • Building dynamic transitions using text • Beyond–the–ordinary background design • Creative color grading with blend modes • Quick and easy lower third design • Mastering the After Effects Graph Editor • Tips and tricks for taking control of masks.

Check out the free Introduction movie.

Making It Look Great™ 3

 

Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects, Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro, Trapcode Particular and Trapcode Form

Look over the shoulder of motion graphic designer and After Effects expert Harry Frank as he shares pro–level techniques for creating a beautiful, organic broadcast promotion. 

Topics include: Understanding and working with consistent color palettes using Adobe Kuler • Advanced animation and texturing with Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro • Generating realistic clouds with Trapcode Particular and light emittters • Creating life–like 3D grass with CC Hair • Animating with expressions to save time • Using gravity and turbulence to create realistic 3D falling leaves • Advanced type animation plus an in–depth study of After Effects’ type animation tools • Creating organic, flowing design elements with Trapcode Flow • Finishing touches to add color and mood.

ProAnimator Users: You can also take advantage of this great training. Check out this free video tutorial that shows you step-by-step how to use ProAnimator in place of 3D Invigorator for this workshop.

Check out the free Introduction movie.

Making It Look Great™ 4

 

Design and Production Techniques for Adobe After Effects, Zaxwerks ProAnimator and Zaxwerks 3D Flag

Work side–by–side with senior broadcast designer, After Effects expert and Zaxwerks demo artist John Dickinson, to create the powerful Northstar Martial Arts animation from start to finish.

Topics include: Discussing key design decisions • Background creation and modification • Creating graphic elements in Adobe Illustrator and After Effects • Logo preparation in Illustrator • Logo modelling and texturing in ProAnimator • Preparing JPEG files with Illustrator Live Trace • Getting the most out of mini-dv footage • Creating 3D banners with 3D Flag • Tricks for isolating glows to logo bevels • Simulating refraction and depth of field • Finishing touches to add mood.

Check out the free Introduction movie.