Although static graphics is obviously much easier to scan and therefore can be easily perceived, motion graphics brings dynamics and life into otherwise static content. Animation can help designers to convey a deeper meaning with the use of various video-techniques. It can also provide a better data visualization than the static graphics. How and where you use it in real-life situations is totally up to your talent and your abilities to express yourself.
Motion graphics are not only created using digital techniques; also traditional animation and special effects techniques are used. However, digital techniques help to minimize production costs and achieve nice results with less effort. For example, the Juno opening sequence1 was a hand-made motion graphics which took painstakingly long time to finish.
2
A couple of weeks ago we presented Best Tutorials For Cinematic Visual Effects3. In this post we present a collection of useful Tutorials for motion graphics created with the use of digital techniques. These tutorials focus on the designing skills of a motion designer and not on the modeling or the animation. You can use these techniques to create stunning motion graphics or improve upon these ideas and come up with your own creative ideas that will be truly remarkable. Most of the tutorials are from similar sources, because of its quality and usefulness.
Useful Tutorials for Motion Graphics
Stormy and Electric Type Reveal4
This Adobe After Effects tutorial uses a form plug-in to create a mysterious and electric type reveal.
5
Text Explosion6
Create text explosion with the help of 3DS Max and Adobe After Effects software. Part 17 and Part 28
9
Old Paper Look10
Create an Old Paper texture to add old look to the title animation using the Fractal Noise Effect in Adobe After Effects.
11
Dunk Your Logo in a Wave World12
This Adobe After Effects tutorial uses Wave World plug-in to achieve this effect.
13
Sound Reacting 3D Waveform14
Create a sound reacting 3D waveform animation in Adobe After Effect using built-in plug-ins.
15
Stunning Website Demo Presentation16
This tutorial shows how to create a clean and elegant solution to show off your website.
17
Forging Fire18
Give a forging fire effect to title in Adobe After Effects.
19
Particolor20
In this After Effects tutorial you will learn to create colourful dynamic particles by controlling their motion using Trapcode particular.
21
Elegantly Handwritten Text Reveal22
This Adobe After Effects tutorial will teach you how to animate a handwritten text sequence with ink bleeding through the paper to create an elegant old-world style title reveal.
23
Awesome 80s Inspired Title Animation24
Design an Awesome 80s Inspired Title Animation in Adobe After Effects.
25
Ethereal Morphing Letter Canvas26
This tutorial shows how to use the built-in radio waves plug-in to create an incredibly beautiful and ethereal animation of morphing letters.
27
Beautifully Animated Faux 3D Flower Scene28
In this tutorial you will learn how to create and animate a beautiful 3D flower that can be a design element of any motion graphics piece.
29
Chromatic Aberration30
Learn how to virtually create Chromatic Aberration The failure of a lens to focus light rays to the same point. Images obtained from the lens having chromatic aberration are always colourful.
31
iPod Commercial 32
Create iPod ad in Cinema 4D using tracer tool and later composite the final video in Adobe After Effects.
33
Light-tastic Logo Reveal34
This 2 part tutorial you will learn to create some beautifully organic light streaks that are used for logo reveal. This tutorial makes use of expressions in After Effects. Part 135 and Part 236
37
Dreamy Logo in the Clouds38
This tutorial shows how to use a particle generator to create 3D clouds and use them as a transitional device to reveal a logo.
39
Cinematic Opening Title Redux40
This 2 part tutorial uses freely available scripts and expressions to create stunning Hollywood movie style opening. This is deep skill based tutorial which will show some techniques to harness a large amount of text and quickly format and animate it in a cinematic style and use scripts to split up and animate a logo into hundreds of pieces. Part 141 and Part 242
The Juno Opening Credit Look43
Adobe After Effects tutorial to create famous handmade juno opening sequence44.
45
Cinematic Opening Title46
Another Adobe After Effects tutorial to learn how to create a beautiful cinematic opening title using Trapcode Form.
47
Mac OS X Leopard-style Aura Effect48
In this After Effects tutorial you learn how to create beautiful Mac OS X Leopard-style aura effect.
49
Radio Detection and Ranging50
This tutorial will teach you to create 3 types of animated radar displays using expressions rather than keyframes which will help you to save time.
51
Lottery Balls52
This Adobe After Effects tutorial demonstrates how to use expressions to generate multiple custom particles in Particular to create an animation of bouncing and floating Ping Pong balls.
53
Heart Monitor54
Create a heart monitor display using Adobe After Effects.
55
Volume Meter56
Create a Volume Meter that is reactive to change in sound. It uses expressions in Adobe After Effects to achieve this sound reacting motion graphics.
57
Flying through a tunnel58
Create a flying through tunnel effect in After Effects. Also check the similar tutorial at www.maxafter.com59
60
Automated Odometer61
This tutorial will show you how to create automated odometer in After Effects using expressions.
62
Sunrise63
Create a stylized sun using expressions in Adobe After Effects.
64
Dropping into water65
Create an effect of an object dropping into water, using the Caustics and WaveWorld filters in Adobe After Effects.
66
Line Chart Diagram67
This tutorial will show you to create diagram which can be animated with use of expressions in Adobe After Effects.
68
3D City69
Using this tutorial you can create a stylistic 3D city with 2D images in Adobe After Effects.
70
Card Dance71
Create a effect of millions of pictures flying around.
72
The 007 Intro73
This tutorial shows you how to achieve the classic introduction of James Bond films using only basic After Effects plug-ins.
74
Earth Zoom75
Create a cosmic Earth zoom in Adobe After Effects.
76
Welding Sparks77
Create welding sparks effect using Trapcode particluar in Adobe After Effects.
78
Spin Orbs79
Create a spinning orb in Adobe After Effects that self animates with times
80
Fun with Ink81
This Adobe After Effects tutorial uses Particle World to create ink spatter elements.
82
Swirls83
Learn to create animated swirls in Adobe After Effects.
Moving 3D Lines84
This tutorial will teach you to create flowing light streams using Adobe After Effects.
85
The Blue Planet9886
This tutorial will teach you to create an earth in After Effects with atmosphere, rotation, solar eclipse and lighting. This tutorial uses CC sphere plug-in to convert flat map to 3d earth.
87
Car Racing Scene88
Create a scene of cars racing down a road towards camera from photographs. Part 189 and Part 290
91
Medical Zoom92
This 3 Part tutorial will show you how to model a blood cell (3D Max) and use it in After Effects to create the effect, where a camera goes inside a person`s body. Part193, Part2 94and Part395
96
Dead Planet97
This tutorial is similar to The Blue Planet9886 which will show you to create a dying planet with visible lava and cracks.
99
Planet Explosion100
This tutorial will teach you to create explosion using shatter effect in After Effects.
101
Fancy Title Plate102
Create a beautiful fancy 3D Title in Adobe After Effects.
103
Flaming Chrome Text104
Creates flaming chrome text in Adobe After Effects using the glow and liquefy effects.
105
Growing 3D Vines106
This tutorial will teach you to create growing 3D vines over a water floor in 3D Max and later composite it in After Effects.
107
Smokey Type Effect108
This tutorial will teach you to create Smokey Type animation in Adobe After Effects.
109
Colorful Universe110
This tutorial Uses expression in Adobe After Effect to create a 3D dynamic space world with light streams.
111
Breathtakingly Awesome Rain Scene112
Adobe After Effects tutorial shows how to create the dramatic slow motion rain drops falling scene. Part 1113 and Part 2114
115
Organic Mesh116
This tutorial will teach you to create an bloody wet organic mesh using 3DMax.
117
Spray Paint and Stencil Effect118
In this tutorial you will learn how to create a spray paint effect using After Effects.
119
Shiny Ring120
This tutorial will teach you to create a silver ring in After Effects with a particle wipe and some expressions.
121
TV Screens122
This Adobe After Effects tutorial will teach you to create many TV screens placed in a grid. Also some optical effects are added to make it look interesting.
123
DVD Motion Menu Design124
Major difference between this tutorial and the other DVD menu design tutorial is that it shows you create interactive menus from pen-and-paper sketches.
125
Graffiti Writing126
This is an awesome After Effect tutorial to simulate graffiti writing on a wall in 3D along with some paint splatter elements.
127
Ink Bleeding Effect128
Create an ink bleeding effect. This tutorial makes use of Photoshop, Illustrator and Adobe After Effects with Trapcodes Particular
129
Cool TV bumper130
In this tutorial you will learn to create a cool TV bumper using mattes in Adobe After Effects.
131
Speed Particles132
Create sandy like particles that fly off of text using expressions to drive particles based on speed.
133
3D Watch Animation134
This 3 part tutorial will teach you to create a 3D Watch Animation. This tutorial makes use of Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extendend with Google 3D Warehouse135 Plug-in and Adobe After Effects. Part 1136, Part 2137 and Part 3138.
139
Droste Effect140
This tutorial demonstrates the use of new Pixel Bender plug-in141 to obtain Droste Effect.
142
Retro Style143
Learn how to create a vintage retro style.
144
Building and animating a CGSnake145
Learn how to create a animated snake in Adobe After Effects based on a chain rig.
146
3D Toon on Paper147
Transform your hand drawn sketch from paper to digital animation.
148
Fracture Design149
Use expressions and scripts to create a distressed title in Adobe After Effects.
150
Best Sources for Motion Graphics Tutorials
- aetuts+151
Website is full of great Adobe After Effects tutorials. - Video Copilot152
High quality After Effects video tutorials for motion graphics and visual effects presented by Andrew Kramer. - Creative Cow153
Support community for digital video, video editing, and media production professionals in broadcasting, motion graphics, special FX and film. - GREYSCALEGORILLA154
Blog dedicated to Graphic Design. - maltaannon.com155
Adobe After Effects and Production Studio Video Tutorials - GomediaZine156
Resources for artists and designers. - Digital Arts157
A place for digital artist to find articles, reviews and tutorials. - Layers Magazine158
Everything about Adobe. - ayato@web159
Japanese website providing useful Adobe After effects tips and tutorials. - Maxafter160
Visual Effects and Motion Graphic Design tutorials. - www.henrythejedi.com161
New website providing visual effects, motion graphic and animation tutorials.
Footnotes
- 1 http://www.shadowplaystudio.com/juno/
- 2 http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowplaystudio/
- 3 http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/05/04/best-tutorials-for-cinematic-visual-effects/
- 4 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-stormy-electric-type-reveal/
- 5 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-stormy-electric-type-reveal/
- 6 http://www.maxafter.com/textexplosion.htm
- 7 http://www.maxafter.com/textexplosion.htm
- 8 http://www.maxafter.com/textexplosion2.htm
- 9 http://www.maxafter.com/textexplosion.htm
- 10 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/zwar_chris/OldPaper.php
- 11 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/zwar_chris/OldPaper.php
- 12 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/dunk-your-logo-in-a-wave-world/
- 13 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/dunk-your-logo-in-a-wave-world/
- 14 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-sound-reacting-3d-waveform-animation-without-3rd-party-plugins/
- 15 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-sound-reacting-3d-waveform-animation-without-3rd-party-plugins/
- 16 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-stunning-website-demo/
- 17 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-stunning-website-demo/
- 18 http://tutorials.forgingfire.com/2009/02/forging-fire-after-effects-tutorial/
- 19 http://tutorials.forgingfire.com/2009/02/forging-fire-after-effects-tutorial/
- 20 http://www.maxafter.com/particolour.htm
- 21 http://www.maxafter.com/particolour.htm
- 22 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-an-elegantly-handwritten-text-reveal/
- 23 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-an-elegantly-handwritten-text-reveal/
- 24 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/design-an-awesome-80s-inspired-title-animation/
- 25 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/design-an-awesome-80s-inspired-title-animation/
- 26 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-an-ethereal-morphing-letter-canvas/
- 27 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-an-ethereal-morphing-letter-canvas/
- 28 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-beautifully-animated-faux-3d-flower-scene/
- 29 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-beautifully-animated-faux-3d-flower-scene/
- 30 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/learn-how-to-create-chromatic-aberration/
- 31 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/learn-how-to-create-chromatic-aberration/
- 32 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/mylenium/Mograph_ipod.php
- 33 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/mylenium/Mograph_ipod.php
- 34 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-light-tastical-logo-reveal-animation-part-1/
- 35 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-light-tastical-logo-reveal-animation-part-1/
- 36 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-light-tastical-logo-reveal-animation-part-2/
- 37 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-light-tastical-logo-reveal-animation-part-1/
- 38 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-logo-in-the-clouds-animation/
- 39 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/create-a-logo-in-the-clouds-animation/
- 40 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/cinematic-opening-title-redux-day-1/
- 41 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/cinematic-opening-title-redux-day-1/
- 42 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/cinematic-opening-title-redux-day-2/
- 43 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/bonner_simon/The_Juno_Look.php
- 44 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20PQBtyfNZY
- 45 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/bonner_simon/The_Juno_Look.php
- 46 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/how-to-create-a-cinematic-opening-title/
- 47 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/how-to-create-a-cinematic-opening-title/
- 48 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/quick-effect-create-a-mac-os-x-leopard-style-aura-effect/
- 49 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/quick-effect-create-a-mac-os-x-leopard-style-aura-effect/
- 50 http://maltaannon.com/articles/after-effects/radar/
- 51 http://maltaannon.com/articles/after-effects/radar/
- 52 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/agliata_tony/lotto_balls.php
- 53 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/agliata_tony/lotto_balls.php
- 54 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/CC_Heart_Monitor.php
- 55 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/CC_Heart_Monitor.php
- 56 http://maltaannon.com/articles/after-effects/smart-volume-meter/
- 57 http://maltaannon.com/articles/after-effects/smart-volume-meter/
- 58 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/zwar_chris/tunnel.php
- 59 http://www.maxafter.com/tunnel.htm
- 60 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/zwar_chris/tunnel.php
- 61 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Odometer_2/
- 62 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rabinowitz_aharon/Odometer_2/
- 63 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/mylenium/sun.php
- 64 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/mylenium/sun.php
- 65 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/tierney_jim/caustics.php
- 66 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/tierney_jim/caustics.php
- 67 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/mylenium/line_chart.php
- 68 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/mylenium/line_chart.php
- 69 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/3d_city/
- 70 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/3d_city/
- 71 http://www.maxafter.com/carddance.htm
- 72 http://www.maxafter.com/carddance.htm
- 73 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/park_michael/007_Intro.php
- 74 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/park_michael/007_Intro.php
- 75 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/earth_zoom/
- 76 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/earth_zoom/
- 77 http://www.maxafter.com/weldingParticular.htm
- 78 http://www.maxafter.com/weldingParticular.htm
- 79 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/spin_orbs/
- 80 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/spin_orbs/
- 81 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/fun_with_ink/
- 82 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/fun_with_ink/
- 83 http://www.layersmagazine.com/animated-swirls-in-adobe-after-effects.html
- 84 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/moving_3d_lines/
- 85 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/moving_3d_lines/
- 86 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/the_blue_planet/
- 87 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/the_blue_planet/
- 88 http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/2009/04/15/after-effects-tutorial-build-a-car-racing-scene-from-photographs-part-1/
- 89 http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/2009/04/15/after-effects-tutorial-build-a-car-racing-scene-from-photographs-part-1/
- 90 http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/2009/04/16/after-effects-tutorial-build-a-car-racing-scene-from-photographs-part-2/
- 91 http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/2009/04/15/after-effects-tutorial-build-a-car-racing-scene-from-photographs-part-1/
- 92 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/medical_zoom_01/
- 93 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/medical_zoom_01/
- 94 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/medical_zoom_02/
- 95 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/medical_zoom_03/
- 96 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/medical_zoom_01/
- 97 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/dead_planet/
- 98 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/the_blue_planet/
- 99 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/dead_planet/
- 100 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/planet_explosion/
- 101 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/planet_explosion/
- 102 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/fancy_title_plate/
- 103 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/fancy_title_plate/
- 104 http://www.layersmagazine.com/flaming-chrome-text-in-after-effects.html
- 105 http://www.layersmagazine.com/flaming-chrome-text-in-after-effects.html
- 106 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/growing_3d_vines/
- 107 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/growing_3d_vines/
- 108 http://www.layersmagazine.com/smokey-type-effect-in-after-effects.html
- 109 http://www.layersmagazine.com/smokey-type-effect-in-after-effects.html
- 110 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/colorful_universe/
- 111 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/colorful_universe/
- 112 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/vfx/create-a-breathtakingly-awesome-rain-scene-part-1/
- 113 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/vfx/create-a-breathtakingly-awesome-rain-scene-part-1/
- 114 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/vfx/create-a-breathtakingly-awesome-rain-scene-day-2/
- 115 http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/vfx/create-a-breathtakingly-awesome-rain-scene-part-1/
- 116 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/organic_mesh_in_3d_max/
- 117 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/organic_mesh_in_3d_max/
- 118 http://www.gomediazine.com/tutorials/animating-spray-paint-and-stencil-effect-in-after-effects/
- 119 http://www.gomediazine.com/tutorials/animating-spray-paint-and-stencil-effect-in-after-effects/
- 120 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/the_ring/
- 121 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/the_ring/
- 122 http://www.maxafter.com/tvscreen.htm
- 123 http://www.maxafter.com/tvscreen.htm
- 124 http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/tutorials/index.cfm?featureID=1717
- 125 http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/tutorials/index.cfm?featureID=1717
- 126 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/graffiti_writing/
- 127 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/graffiti_writing/
- 128 http://www.gomediazine.com/tutorials/ink-bleeding-effect-in-after-effects-like-gnarls/
- 129 http://www.gomediazine.com/tutorials/ink-bleeding-effect-in-after-effects-like-gnarls/
- 130 http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/tutorials/index.cfm?featureID=1598
- 131 http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/tutorials/index.cfm?featureID=1598
- 132 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/speed_particles/
- 133 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/speed_particles/
- 134 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/3D_Watch_pt_1.php
- 135 http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/Photoshop_CS3_Extended_Plug-In_for_Google_3D_Warehouse
- 136 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/3D_Watch_pt_1.php
- 137 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/3D_Watch_pt_2.php
- 138 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/3D_Watch_pt_3.php
- 139 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/stern_eran/3D_Watch_pt_1.php
- 140 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/larsen_carl/droste_effect.php
- 141 http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/pixelbender/
- 142 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/larsen_carl/droste_effect.php
- 143 http://www.graymachine.com/tutorials/retro-style-graphics
- 144 http://www.graymachine.com/tutorials/retro-style-graphics
- 145 http://maltaannon.com/articles/after-effects/cgsnake/
- 146 http://maltaannon.com/articles/after-effects/cgsnake/
- 147 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/val_mark/3d_toon.php
- 148 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/val_mark/3d_toon.php
- 149 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/fracture_design/
- 150 http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/fracture_design/
- 151 http://ae.tutsplus.com
- 152 http://www.videocopilot.net/
- 153 http://www.creativecow.net/
- 154 http://greyscalegorilla.com
- 155 http://maltaannon.com/
- 156 http://www.gomediazine.com
- 157 http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk
- 158 http://www.layersmagazine.com/
- 159 http://www.ayatoweb.com/ae_tips_e.html
- 160 http://www.maxafter.com
- 161 http://www.henrythejedi.com/
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