Motion 101: A Comprehensive Study of Motion

Objectives

This three-day, hands-on course will familiarise students with Motion, Apple's revolutionary software for motion graphics design. This comprehensive course covers working with Motion's 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.


Pre-requisites:

A basic knowledge of Mac OS X and some knowledge of Final Cut Pro 6 is helpful.


Course Includes:

A comprehensive set of reference notes covering course topics, follow-up telephone support and, for training on Transmedia premises, lunch and refreshments.


Course Outline


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, Cloning and Instancing, Applying Behaviours, Using the Motion Path Behaviours, Applying Filters, Soloing RAM Previews, Freezing Tracks, Deactivating Behaviours and Filters, Particle Simulations, Adding a Third Dimension and Autosave



Generators and Particle Presets


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



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



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 Behaviours in 3D, and a Quick Look at Particles



Using Templates


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



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








Particles and Parameter Behaviours


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



The Replicator


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



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



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



Painting in Motion


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



Keying and Shapes


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



Tracking and Matchmoving


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



Audio and Markers


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