I have had the opportunity to work in Motion 4 for about an hour and all I wanted to test first was the addition of the reflection and cast shadow features.  Let me say that before Motion 4, to create these effects required multiple layers/groups and a lot of keyframing.  A reflection could be created by duplicating the image or object, inverting and adding an alpha gradient, adjusting the blur and opacity, and you end up with something that works.  To animate it was labor intensive and difficult to make look correct.  A similar problem existed when trying to create realistic looking cast shadows.  And to animate them was even more difficult process to make move and lengthen or shorten appropriately.

Motion 4 has made both of the features automatic and easy to manipulate.  I am going to have a tutorial on using these features next week.  I have been very pleased with this new addition by Apple.  They are making this program more functional for animations and compositing.  There are several features with the camera that need to be enhanced and a “true” 3-D environment before it will be able to truly compete with the likes of After Effects, but they have made some significant improvements.  If you are a Motion fan, you will love the changes!

Here is a quick, crude sample of the reflection and cast shadows.

If you read my post about the image manipulation program called GIMP and downloaded it, I’m sure you fall into one of two groups.  You either have found your way around the program to the point that you are creating new and awesome stuff, or you can’t seem to get out of the application what is in your head.

If you are the first group, congratulations.  You have a high quality imaging manipulation program that will serve you in your professional productions.  If, however, you find yourself wondering how to use all the tools and features that come with GIMP, then I have something perfect to recommend for you.

I was online looking for GIMP tutorials the other night and I stumbled upon this site that offered free tutorials for GIMP.  It is an excellent resource to teach the interface and the “how to’s’ of GIMP.  Learning Gimp Fast has broken the process into 33 different lessons that will add tremendous function to your workflow.  If you are looking for some tutorials on how to use this free, open source application, then check out Learning Gimp Fast.

I have to say, the first thing that struck me about the new Final Cut Studio 3 from Apple was not the new features.  There are many and most of them are advantageous to workflow.  As I get the opportunity to play with them, I will give you my review of each.  But have you seen the box?  Final Cut Studio 2 came in this huge box with all the manuals as hard copies.  It weighed a ton!

When I went to the Apple store to buy my copy, I also picked up a new wireless mighty mouse.  As I was standing at the counter getting ready to buy my goods, I noticed that I had what appeared to be two mighy mice.  As I looked closer I noticed that one box was in fact Final Cut Studio!  That’s right, the new program fit in a box the same size as mouse.  Now that is pretty cool, because I could actually carry it out in a bag and didn’t need a hand truck to get it to the car.

I did get Final Cut Studio installed yesterday and everything wen’t as smooth as possible!  I was doing the install on my new iMac and had the upgrade version.  At the magic point during the process, I was asked for my previous product code.  I inserted the code and the install continued.  So after a few hours of sitting at the computer and loading disks, the install was complete.

I will let you know how all the features are as I get to use them.  I am most excited about the new features in Motion and will explore those first.  If there are any specifics that you are interested in, let me know and I’ll try it out and give an update.

One of the cool thing about using wordpress as a content management  program for your website is all the free, open source, Themes you can choose from.  If you take the time to look you can find a theme that has the layout you want or one that will only need minor tweaks to be ideal.  One thing that is certain, however, is the need to modify some graphic element.  Whether it is the header graphic or the development of your website logo, you will inevitably need to do some graphic work on your site.

Most web users don’t have access to Photoshop or some other high end professional graphics program.  That is why I like to recommend GIMP.  It is an open source, FREE, graphics manipulation program that does everything you would every need to modify your wordpress theme.  I think it is golden.  You can modify your header, add your logo and save it to .jpeg, .gif, .png or any other web compatible format

If you have not checked out GIMP yet, you are missing an excellent program for web based applications.

I have jumped on board and bought my upgrade to Final Cut Studio!  $299 for an upgrade is amazing when you consider all the apps you get for that price.  Color alone, a $25,000.00 app before Apple purchased it, is well worth the measly $299.  I am most excited about the upgrades to Motion and the additional flavors of ProRes.

I am about to install my version of the software and will give a status report when I have had the opportunity to kick the tires a little.  Stay tuned for my review.