Best Tips to Become a Great Visual Effects Artist

If you interested in creating some of the fantastic and creative effects that are present in Film or TV shows? As a visual effects artist, you will be the one to add these elements to live action footage, resulting in a fantastic final product. To get into this creative field, start by honing your skills at an animation and VFX training centre. Read on below tips if you want to become part of this exciting field.

Click on below Video: 5 Success Tips for Visual Effects Artist

6 Tips To Become a Great Visual Effects Artist

1. Join in a Good Visual Effects Course

A good Visual Effects course will allow you to learn directly from experienced professionals. Choose a Visual Effects course from an academy that will teach you a wide array of VFX skills. The Visual Effects training academy will also give you the opportunity to network with professionals from different studios in the field.

Click on below Video: Which software is used for VFX?

2. Learn the Basics

It is very important that you learn all the fundamentals before trying anything fancy. Start off by being a generalist. Video Game and Special Effects Artist recommends having a solid grasp of several related fields like basic color theory, modeling, composition, texturing and so on. He also states that there are six basic effects every VFX artist should learn to create, namely fire, water, clouds/smoke, lightning/electricity, explosions and motion trails, in both 2D and 3D as they are especially everyday tasks for Visual effects artist.

3. Practice on Various Software Programs

Train on a number of Visual effects computer programs. Although you may create some hand-drawn sketches, the majority of your work will be completed on the computer using the software. Stay informed about the latest software advances by following VFX blogs and computer tutorials. Not every studio you will work at will use the same computer software. So the more you experiment, the easier it will be to adapt your skills.

Example: Visual Effects Artists are expected to be well-versed in graphics and animation software, such as Creative Suite and JavaScript.

4. Watch Tutorials

Search for VFX tutorial or demonstrations online. Videos will help you to focus on a specific skill set, such as compositing and lighting are the biggest departments with the biggest demand which you then can practice on your own. Challenge yourself to simulate some of the more difficult tasks or also try to improve upon the models used.

5. Pay Attention - Films, TV Shows and Video Games

Watch all type of production creations with an eye for detail. Look for the techniques used and any first approaches that you see. Try to recreate any scenes that you find interesting.

6. Develop a Specialization

As you gain more experience and skills, you will likely find yourself gravitating to a certain aspect of design. This will become your calling card and filmmakers and other professionals will ask you out for this type of work. To build your specialization, start choosing jobs with that emphasis and attend additional training seminars.

Example: Some Visual Effect specialists focus on the character’s faces, animal figures, or town backgrounds.

Career Options in Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the world's most popular photo-editing software for image editing and creative designing. Those who are wishing to use Adobe Photoshop have many career options are there for them. Photoshop is used for all design and print-related career fields. If you are interested in using your graphics program in your career, check out a few of these best career options in adobe Photoshop to grow your career in creativity.

Click on below Video: Adobe Photoshop Tutorial: The Basics for Beginners

Career Options in Adobe Photoshop for Beginners

1. Photographer

A photographer includes getting rid of blemishes on a subject right after the picture is taken, adding light sources, adjusting the colors and adding creative details to pictures. All of the creative insights can be touchdown using Adobe Photoshop.

2. Advertiser

An advertiser expands a brand to appeal its memorable items to their customers. Photoshop is used to create advertisements and much more. It’s used to priories their work by designing as well as editing things for displaying blogs and online videos. The work of a graphic designer and advertiser are combined even to structure the designs which give the best outputs, in the end, to visualize it to the client.

3. Visual Effects Artist

A visual effects artist work includes creating various stages of pre-production and post-production designs. A Pre-Production design includes setting up the artwork for characters in the storyboard and movie. Even the creation of matte paintings is involved in some of the Big Budget films, e.g. Bhahubali, Avatar, etc. A post-production artist works on wire removal, touch-ups, etc. 

4. Web Designing

Web designers create the website design. Photoshop can do much more than manipulate the photos and the program can make web design more accessible. Web designers make use of Photoshop's grids to layout the page basics and use the preset document parameters to streamline the process of creating pages. 

5. Video Editing

Photoshop not just to apply photo and designs. This software can also be used for videos editing from trimming clips to adding transitions like fade ins and fade outs. Video editors who are range from helping produce advertisements to online how-tutorials can also add text and music to the videos.

Click on below Video: How to edit Video in Photoshop CC and CS6 | the Basics, Photoshop Tutorial

The use of adobe Photoshop doesn't only apply to design and pictures. This software or as we all call it software is a complete package to all the art lovers or designers who choose this software as a profession in their career. So it a fair share to understand for ourselves that Photoshop does bring wonders in a way to prove that it's quite valuable for us as we take it forward in the market as a career in adobe Photoshop.

If you are interested in making your career in the creative fields, then specialization in adobe Photoshop software is an excellent opportunity for you.

Learn how to make Action Figure

3D printing has had a massive impact on all type of objects even in action figure. It is all about customization and it is also the perfect technology to create your action figure. Let's get started with how it’s done.

There are many different ways to create an action figure. It could be something of your invention with the help of 3D scanning. Here we will give a broad overview about the different ways you can get a 3D printed miniature figurine, whether you decide to sculpt its own, begin with a file from the web or need a 3D scan of yourself.

Click on below Video: How to make a Paper Action Figure

Best Technology to Create Action Figure

[1] Scratch: To create action figurine from scratch, you need to look into digital sculpting. CAD software that is designed for creating 3D models of mechanical parts or architectural models won’t help a lot – the result will be too edgy and non-organic. There is a specialized digital sculpting program out there.

1. ZBrush: This is ‘tour-de-force’ when it comes to digital sculpting. Most of the professionals use this software since it is by far the most powerful out there. ZBrush offers a wider range of tools to its users. Experts claim that this power and design option involves a slightly steeper learning curve than in other software.
2. Sculptris: Sculptris is the best place to start the digital sculpting experience. The learning curve and user interface are simple. This software now belongs to Pixologic, a company known for its expertise when it comes to cutting-edge digital sculpting solutions.
3. Meshmixer: Meshmixer is a free sculpting program from Autodesk and a great solution for beginners. While the sculpting tools don't hold up to those of sculpture, Meshmixer is perfect for preparing the model for 3D printing. This is the reason why many 3D artists work with several programs and use meshmixer to give their model the "finishing touches" before it goes to the printer.

Click on Below Video: How to Make an Action Figure

[2] File: You can import 3D files from the Web or 3D scans.

1. Finding 3D files on Web: There are lots of websites that offer 3D models to download. Take a look at 10 of the most popular 3D model databases and compared them for selection, printability, price and quality. Starting from a 3D model is helpful for the beginners for 3D printing and 3D modeling.
2. Human 3D Characters: MakeHuman is a great tool to create the first 3D file. It’s an open source software that creates realistic and customized 3D humans which can still be further edited in programs like Meshmixer and ZBrush.

Getting Scanned: To create a figurine that looks just like you, there are 3D scanners for this job. High-end scanning software can cost thousands of dollars, but there are many other cheaper alternatives. On the one hand, you get yourself scanned or you could try to get a scan with a free app on the smartphone. Creating a decent 3D scan with a smartphone camera is a bit trickier and may take a few trials. An essential step is to clean up the 3D scan before print it. ZBrush or Meshmixer is useful for that.

[3] 3D Printing your Design: It does not matter whether you start from scratch, scan or file two more things are essential for a successful 3D print

1. Well-Prepared File

2. Basic Understanding of Intended 3D Printing Material

3D Printing Material

When it comes to action figures in 3D printing quality, you have several excellent options. For a 3D print that is printed in multiple colors, multicolour material is probably the way to go. If you want stronger plastic material and thinking about painting the model you should take a look at Gray Resin or Polyamide.

Important Parts in Character Sketch

How to write Character Sketch

A character sketch is a quick rendering of a character in which a description created to guide the writer on such assignments as introducing a character to the reader in such way that both the writers and readers can have a quick overview of a character characteristics. Before writing a character sketch, you must ask yourself questions about the character.

Character description should answer all the questions - What is their background story? What are the physical character attributes? How do they talk? What character want? What is their psychological state – their dominant emotions, fears and goals? What is their general view of life? How will this information contribute to the story?

Click on below Video: Writing a Character Sketch

You should know the characters well enough. And while there are many ways of writing a creative character sketch, you should consider following the ideas explained in the following paragraphs. The idea is to answer a number of questions about the characters.

Important Parts of a Character Sketch

Physical Character

Physical characteristics are the first things we observe when we meet someone. This is a good starting point when writing a character sketch. Is character a man or a woman? Is he or she short or tall? How old is the character? Is character bald? Does he or she have a disability?

Character Doing

This is the next question because it brings into account other aspects of writing a story such as time and setting. The answer to this question will also affect other aspects of the sketch such as what character is dressing or how he or she is responding. Is character walking down on the road? Is he or she sit in a garden? Is character working in a shop? Asking what the character is doing will not only help you understand the character, but also his or her relation to the setting in the story.

Character Feeling

This is one of the more complex questions about the character. Is the character angry? Is he or she happy, tired, sad or depressed? Does your character love someone or something? Asking questions about the character's life might evolve into the production of character history. While this may be a tempting question, you have to focus on what your subject is feeling in the context of the story. Although the answers to these questions are needed, they are rarely explicitly stated in the story.

Click on below Video: Character sketch of Helen Keller

Character Expression

Different people use different expressions to react. Some people have an aggressive conflict style others are passive aggressive. Some character tries to sound educated others to use a lot of slang. Pay more attention to how the character talks? How the Character expression? Then your story will be that much better.

Click on below Video: How to Draw a Dynamic Expressions

The ultimate purpose of a writer is to take these character sketches and use them to create a magnificently engaging, character-driven work of fiction.

How to Design Storyboard in Animation

The first step in the process of animation is to bring your script to life and present it to other people. A storyboard is a sequence of thumbnails that show the breakdown of the video, illustrating the key scenes who will be present and what actions will take place. It is often used as a mockup for movie scenes, music videos and TV production. It can be created by hand or using digital software. Below we will explain to you the steps on how to design storyboard, illustrate the keyframes and few tips to design storyboard.

Click on below Video: How to Storyboard: Making an Animated Movie

5 Steps to Design Storyboard in Animation

1. Create a Template

Draw a basic storyboard template by hand then simply dividing a posterboard inside empty frames of equal size using a straightedge and a pencil. The template setup looks like a comic book, with rows of square cells that show how the whole scene will look on a screen. If we prefer, you can use Adobe Illustrator or inDesign to create a storyboard template in vertical or horizontal format.

2. Sketch Your Thumbnails

In this step start bringing the scenes to life by sketches you drafted out into the template you designed. As you sketch each scene, tinker with the following components, erasing and redrawing as often as necessary:

• Composition (lighting, color palette,foreground/background, etc.)
• An angle from which the camera is shooting
• Type of shot (wide shots, over-the-shoulder shots, close-ups, tracking shots, etc.)
• Props (objects in a frame)
• Actors (people, cartoon talking couch, animals, etc.)
• Special effects

Click on below Video: Digital Sketch and Painting

3. Add Information

Fill all the other important information below every cell what’s happening in your scene. Add another information about the length of time the shot will take. Lastly, number the cells so they are easy to reference when you discuss your storyboard with others.

4. Finalize the Storyboard

Once you have known the key points of the subject and worked out a design for each frame, review your work and make the final changes. Be sure that each cell represents the action you want it to describe. Change the descriptions and dialogue if necessary.

• Consider adding colour.
• If you are creating an advertisement storyboard, this will help your ideas pop.
• Remember that it’s not fundamentally important that the drawings look realistic.
• Depending on the viewing audience, simple stick figures might suffice.

Tips To Create Storyboard:

• Use squares box that is the same aspect ratio as video.
• Number each box for easy reference in discussions.
• Bone up on standard shot types used in the video before you begin.
• Make objects/subjects in the background smaller, so they appear further away.
• Recombine your storyboards to play in sequencing and narrative.
• Use the finished storyboard to create an original shot list. This way nothing will get overlooked during production.

Click on below Video: How to Storyboard a Film - Basic Tips

Keep the storyboard clean and simple, so it can be understood by anyone who sees it and make sure to share the finished product.

Sketch Effect in Adobe Photoshop

Photo to Pencil Sketch Effect in Adobe Photoshop

In this blog, We will learn how to change a photo into a pencil sketch effect using Adobe Photoshop's filters, blending modes and the brush tool. Also, duplicate layers and make the adjustments to certain layers, and what appears to be a pencil sketch when done.

Click on Below Video: Pencil Sketch Drawing Effect in Photoshop

11 Step to Convert Photo to Pencil Sketch Effect In Adobe Photoshop

1. Create a Pencil Sketch effect in Photoshop

It looks pretty good, but we can make a few adjustments to make it even better. With the top layer selected, click on "Create New Fill or Adjustment” layer button at the bottom of the layers panel.

Choose Levels, move the middle slider slightly to the left side. This will brighten the image a little. You need Photoshop latest version of Photoshop to follow along. Right click on a file to save it to the computer, then open the file in Photoshop.

2. Save File

Choose File > Save As with color photograph open in photoshop. Enter new name then indicate where you want to save the file. Choose a photoshop file format and then click on save.

3. Duplicate and Desaturate Layer

Open the layers panel choose Window > Layers. Right click on the background layer then selects the Duplicate layer. With the duplicated layer selected, choose the Image > Adjustments > Desaturate.

Click on Below Video: How to Transform PHOTOS into Gorgeous, Pencil DRAWINGS

4. Duplicate Desaturated Layer

Duplicate the layer and made adjustments by using the keyboard shortcut of Control J or Command J. It will give you two desaturated layers

5. Change Blend Mode

Change the Blend Mode to "Color Dodge" with top layer selected.

6. Invert Image

Choose the Image > Adjustments > Invert. The image will disappear.

7. Create a Gaussian Blur

Choose the Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Move the slider with a check mark next to "Preview" until the image looks like drawn with a pencil. Set the Radius > 20.0 pixels, which looks good for the image. Click ok.

Click on Below Video: How to Create a Gaussian Blur in Photoshop

8. Brighten The Image

It looks good, but we have to make a few adjustments to make it look better. With the top layers selected, click on "Create new fill or Adjustment layer button of the layers panel. Choose the levels, then move the middle slider slightly to the left side. It will brighten the image a little.

9. Add Details in It

You can correct it if the image loses too much detail. Select the layer > under the Levels layer, click on the Brush tool in the Tools panel. Choose the Airbrush in the Options bar. Indicate that if you want to soft and round. Set the opacity to 15% and change the flow to 100 %.

Then, with foreground color set to black in the Tools panel, go over the areas where you need to see more detail.

You can instantly change the brush size if you want to by pressing on the left or right section. If you make a mistake by going over an area that you didn't want to darken, switch one foreground to white and go over the area to lighten it.

10. Duplicate Merged Layers

Choose Image > Duplicate after you have restored detail. Place a check mark in the box it indicates you want to duplicate the merged layers only, then clicks OK. This will flatten the copy while preserving the original one.

11. Unsharp Mask

Leave the image as it is, or add texture in it. Leaving it as it produces an image that looks as though it was drawn on the smooth paper and blended in the areas. Adding texture will make it look as if it drawn on paper with the rough surface.

Choose the Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask if you want to change the texture, then change the amount to 185 %. Make the Radios 2.4 pixels and set Threshold to 4. You don't have to use these specific values – they will depend on your choices. You can play around with them to find the effect you like. A check mark next to "Preview" lets you see how the image will look before you commit so it.

Click on OK when you are happy with the values you have chosen. Choose File > Save, and you are done! You now have what seems to be a pencil sk

Choose File > Save As with color photograph open in photoshop. Enter new name then indicate where you want to save the file. Choose a photoshop file format and then click on save.

Compositing Video Tutorials

4 Impressive Compositing Video Tutorials in After Effects for Beginners

Compositing is the process of combining all the VFX elements together. So it is surprising that every great visual effect studio has a great compositor. However, you don't have to be a Hollywood level visual effect artist to composite like a Pro, all you need is your creativity and time in Adobe After Effects software.

In this blog, we are going to explain four compositing video tutorials for beginners.

4 Compositing Tutorials in After Effects

1. Basic Compositing

In this video of Dan Allan, he explains how to composite multiple 3D objects into a scene in this after effects video tutorial. As you probably know in the professional 3D modeling world artists don't just render out the final scene altogether. Instead, they combine multiple render-passes to blend the shadows, specular, ambient occlusion, and more together to create a realistic view. This video from Dan Allan shows how it been done using blending modes in After Effects.

Click on Below Video: Basic Compositing

2. Simple Compositing Techniques

There’s been a resurgence of 2D and 3D scene processing over the last few years. This technique combines traditional 2D art with the ‘live-action’ footage to create a unique and creative look. While these scenes can look surreal, it is necessary to match video characteristics like blur and noise, so your scene looks seamless. This below video tutorial from Kert Gartner shows how we can do the compositing in few minutes.

3. Compositing Tips and Tricks

This helpful video tutorial from Tunnelvision shows how to use some of the most basic techniques in After Effects software to create a realistic composite.

There are many helpful techniques to learn from this video tutorial, but one of the techniques that got stuck over is the creativity use of a blur to match the background footage. It can be very easy to drag and drop a video element into the scene without matching the camera distortion, but a great composite will try to match everything from depth of field to the saturation.

Click on Below Video: Compositing Tips and Tricks

4. VFX Breakdown - Compositing Tutorial

This video tutorial from the VFXBro is an excellent example of using lighting which help to sell your composite. The tutorial mainly focuses on keying, but the thing that helps to sell this effect is the shadow that has been motion tracked into a scene, when the shadows and reflections are created by your the objects to match the background plate, during that moment audience will have hard time to figure out which is fake and which is real.

Click Here to Download: Adobe After Affects

Click on Below Video: VFX Breakdown - Compositing Tutorial