Motion 101

This three-day, hands-on course will familiarise you with Motion, Apple’s revolutionary software for motion graphics design. This comprehensive course covers working with Motions Real-Time Design engine and interface, behavior-based animation, parameter behaviors, blend modes, advanced particle system design, advanced title animation, working with templates, chroma key techniques, masking methods, DVD motion menu design, tablet-driven gesture UI techniques, working with audio, keyframing, and integration.

• Understand behaviour-based animation and templates
• Work with blend modes and chroma key techniques
• Advance in particle system design
• Use masking methods
• Use key framing techniques
• Integrate with Apple Professional Applications

This course covers the knowledge necessary to become an Apple Certified Pro, Level One in Motion. Level One certification is granted upon successful completion of the Motion, Level One exam. The exam is sat as part of the course and is taken at the end of the course tuition.

Day 1

Lesson 1 A Tour of Motion

Getting to know the interface, Some Windowing Hot Keys, Gestural Input, Importing Footage, Setting the Play Range, Zooming Options, Adding Layers and Behaviours, Cloning and Instancing, Motion Path Behaviours, Applying Filters, Soloing RAM Previews, Freezing Tracks, Deactivating Behaviours and Filters, Particle Simulations, Adding a Third Dimension and Autosave

Lesson 2 Generators and Particle Presets

Applying Generators from the Library, Motion Blur-dependent Presets, Core Image Content, Working in the Inspector and with Gradients, Using Hotboxes and Sliders, Using the Displacement Filter, Using Image Wells, Rendering and Asset Management

Lesson 3 Groups, Layers and Blend Modes

Building a Multi-Layered Composite, Navigating the Layers Tab, Working with Filters and Behaviours in the Layers Tab, Creating Text, Modifying Blend Modes, Nesting and Collapsing, and Working in Float Space

Lesson 4 The Third Dimension

Converting from 2D to 3D, Getting Around in 3D, "First-person Shooter" Navigation, Arranging Layers with Depth, Mixing 2D and 3D Layers, Adding Lights, 3D Texture Properties, Adding Cameras, Applying an Animation Preset, Working with Behaviors in 3D, and a Quick Look at Particles

Lesson 5 Using Templates

Using Motion's Templates, Accessing Template Elements, Creating Your Own Templates and Working iLIfe Content

Day 2

Lesson 1 Creating Text Effects

Formatting Text, Working with Text Parameters, Browsing Text Presets, Sequencing Test, Animating Text on a Path, Working with 3D Text, and Creating Custom Presets

Lesson 2 Particles and Parameter Behaviours

Building Particles from a Movie Clip, Refining a Particle System, Adding Color, Changing Rotation and Spin, Changing Scale, Birth, Death, and Life, Using Parameter Behaviours, and MIDI Control

Lesson 3 The Replicator

Replicating a Clip, Adjusting the Replicator Shape, Modifying Rows, and Applying the Sequence Replicator Behaviour

Lesson 4 Advanced Particle Design

Sprites, Multiple Particles, One Emitter, Emitter Shapes, Modifying Particle Behaviour, Particle Proxies and RAM Previews, Blending, Particles in 3D Space, and Moving Particles with Simulation Behaviours

Lesson 5 Keyframing

Setting Keys Manually, Record Animation Shortcut, Record Animation Modes, Working in the Keyframe Editor, Parameter Hotkeys, Working with Keyframes in the Timeline and Keyframing FIlters

Day 3

Lesson 1 Painting in Motion

Basic Painting, Write-on Effect, Customizing Brushes, Changing Stroke Properties over Life, Working with a Pen and Tablet, Applying Dynamics and Behaviors, and Creating 3D Effects with Paint Strokes

Lesson 2 Keying and Shapes

Pulling a Key, Treating the Edges, Creating a Garbage Matte, Keyframing the Garbage Matte, and Rotoscoping with the B-spline Tool

Lesson 3 Tracking and Matchmoving

Tracking Defined, Two Trackers, Smoothing Footage, Matchmoving a Screen Insert, Hinting Features, Adding Glass to the Screen, and Tracking with Filter Center Points

Lesson 4 Roundtripping, Nonlinear Editing and O-flow Retiming

Frame Blending vs. O-Flow, Sending from Final Cut Pro, Makers into Motion from Final Cut Pro, Working with the Content in Motion, Returning to Final Cut Pro, Motion Menus with DVD Studio Pro and Soundtrack Pro Integration

Lesson 5 Audio and Markers

Mixing in Sound Effects, Multi-Channel Audio File Support, Using the Waveform and Keyframe Editor and Timeline, Adding Markers and Driving Animation using Audio