3D Warps, 3D Layer Tools and The Werks Version 2.0 are now available for download. The new versions are compatible with After Effects CS3 – CS5.5.

In addition to the After Effects CS5 and CS5.5 compatibility, we also added support for 16-bit and 32-bit rendering. For 3D Warps, a new adjustable Draft Mode lets you work even faster than before. The Werks now offer real-time Gradient and Glow updates while editing.

The version 2 plug-ins are available now via the Zaxwerks website. Upgrades from version 1 to version 2 are $25 each.

In this tutorial Jeff Carrion from Suite Take, shows you how to make a fluttering 3D leaf effect using the 3D Warps plug-in. He’ll show you several tips to speed up your workflow and quicken rendering and previews with the 3D Warps plug-in. Jeff uses particles and other built-in AE effects to create a realistic scene from a still image. Plus, he’ll also show how to look at refining motion paths with After Effects graph editor to create smooth organic motion. Watch this comprehensive tutorial to learn the entire 3D Warps workflow!

Topics discussed:

• Creating flies and nats with Particular

• Working with masks

• Drawing an organic and realistic 3D Path

• Using the After Effects graph editor

• Applying 3D Warps

• Setting up the shadows

• Optimizing the project for faster rendering

Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Click to watch Jeff Carrion’s tutorial!

In this tutorial, we’re going to go over all the details of working with shadows. If you ever wondered about how to get shadows to work with your 3D objects, what settings to use, or how to speed up your projects, you’ll want to watch this video tutorial and find out!

Topics discussed:

• Creating a floor to set up the shadows in 3D Serpentine, 3D Warps, and 3D Invigorator.

• Creating a Light, and positioning it correctly.

• Working with Light Intensity, Shadow Darkness, and Shadow Diffusion.

• Setting up the Shadow Quality and Shadow Catcher.

• Optimizing the setup in After Effects for faster previews.

• Setting up lights in 3D Invigorator and working with Shadow Catcher materials.

Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Click to watch the Working with Shadows Tutorial

In this tutorial, we’re going in depth to create a baseball animation. One of the cool things you can do with 3D Warps is to create interesting reveals. So, we’ll go over how to create an animation where a baseball splits open to reveal a baseball player!

Topics discussed:

• Applying 3D Warps correctly.

• Mixing 3D Invigorator, 3D Warps, and After Effects 3D Layers together.

• Learn how to create an animation path with an After Effects 3D Layer, and use it as a tracker layer.

• Applying scaling and rotation for a nice ball animation.

• Casting shadows onto After Effects 3D Layers.

• Adding cool effects from Zaxwerks Easy Glow to enhance the looks.

Be sure to download 3D Layer Warps version 1.5.1 to have all the latest bug fixes!

http://www.zaxwerks.com/download/

Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Click to watch the 3D Warps Baseball Tutorial

3D Warps version 1.5.1 is now available to download:

Visit our download page: HERE

3D Warps Version 1.5.1 Update:

- Fixes an issue where shadows casted onto After Effects 3D Layers may not look accurate.

- Updated display for objects using 3D Layer Tracking.

- Fixes an issue where the object may not move correctly using 3D Layer Tracking when the tracking layer has Orientation applied.

- Automatically sets the Warp Limits to 100 when using the Spherify Warp Style. This prevents the sphere from being too big when initially created.

In this tutorial, John Dickinson covers how to combine a lot of different effects together to create a captivating jumbotron! In this extensive tutorial, John covers many effects such as our very own Layer Warps, as well as Trapcode Shine and Magic Bullet Looks.

Topics discussed:

• Learn how to identify the field order of footage and interpret it collectly.

• Learn about using CC Ball Action, Glow, Levels and Curves.

• Turn the jumbotron into a 3D column mounted on grungy wire mesh using Zaxwerks 3D Layer Warps.

• Fine tune the look by adding animated arrows plus a touch of Trapcode Shine and Magic Bullet Looks.

Support Motionworks by purchasing the CS4 project file too!

Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Click to watch John Dickinson’s Jumbotron Column Tutorial

3D Warps Quick Start is now available! Learn how to install the plug-in as well how to set up 3D Warps. Learn how to apply multiple warps together, as well as using the different presets.

Check out the new video tutorial below:

Zaxwerks Video Tutorials

With the holidays right around the corner, here are a set of streamer presets to use with the 3D Grid Warp plug-in. These streamers can all be customized and animated in a variety of ways. You can change how tight or loose the ribbon is wrapped; the length and width of the ribbon; how twisty it is; and of course the colors and transparencies in the ribbon.

Most of these streamers use a single warp. One of them uses two warps so you can see how to take a fairly simple streamer and make it deliciously irregular. Also notice how these streamers make use of the Highlight feature which gives the ribbons beautiful shiny highlights when the curves of the ribbon catch the light.

This download contains a set of preset files for 3D Grid Warp. (Click here to download) Once you download and unzip, place the preset files into the Grid Warp Presets folder and restart After Effects. Then in any AE project, add a layer, apply the Grid Warp effect to it, and choose one of the Streamer presets from the Effect Presets menu.

This project was created in After Effects (AE) by combining various AE effects with Zaxwerks 3D Warps, Zaxwerks ProAnimator and Knoll Light Factory. For a movie and breakdown click here.

POST SCRIPT FROM ZAX:
The CS3 versions have been officially released. Any software available from the Download Link will work in AE 6.5, 7 and CS3.

Here’s a quick link to get to the download page and check version numbers.