New Envato Community Blog – Envato Notes

Today we’ve launched a new Envato Community blog called Envato Notes. The new site is going to be the epicenter of our community not just for the Envato Marketplaces but for our entire network of sites. On the site you’ll find heaps of different stuff including:

  • News about all Envato Sites
  • Interviews of authors and people from the community
  • Case studies about Envato Authors
  • Competitions
  • Announcements about New Features and Categories
  • News from the Envato Dev teams
  • How-To articles for our sites
  • Staff Interviews from the Envato team
  • Polls, Discussions, Contests, Features, Photos, Plugs, Freebies, Reports, Tips, Giveaways, Guest Posts, … you name it, we’re going to have it!

So be sure to head over and check it out now at Notes.Envato.com!

Holiday Hiatus

We would like to announce that Inside the Hive will be taking a “holiday hiatus” over the festive season and will be back in 2010. The wait will definitely be worth it however as we’re going to be changing the format of all our blogs in the new year. This format change will still provide readers with industry news, reviews, and resources. But it will allow us to provide more focused content. You’re not gonna want to miss it! Meanwhile, site news and announcements will continue to be posted right here on the existing blog.

Tut Saturday: Another Technique for “Super-Tight Junk Mattes”

Yes, yes, I have to give credit where credit is due.  Aharon Rabinowitz back in, I think 2006, had a tutorial that makes your keying duties MUCH easier… it was entitled Super-Tight Junk Mattes.  I have to admit, it works really well, but like almost any other task in After Effects, there was another way to do it.  I was talking to Maltaannon a few months back and he had told me about his technique that he uses on this, and I have been using it ever since.  Not only is there fewer steps, but it also takes a lot less time.  I asked him if he wouldn’t mind me making a tutorial on it, since we all know how extensive his tutorials can get, and he told me to go for it, and here is the result… Super Tight Junk Mattes v2.0!

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The Last Two Weeks on AEtuts+

The last couple of week have been loaded with some amazing content!  I had a roundup or two, one of which features a ton of VFX breakdowns, and there were some amazing tutorials like, Understanding Linear Work flow, and the Club Tuts AE Plus tutorial!  As it gets closer to Christmas, expect a ton more awesome stuff from the contributors over at AEtuts+, and some amazing roundups (if I do say so myself).

Every couple weeks we will showcase the tutorials from the past weeks so you can brush up and hone your After Effects skills to learn some new tricks and broaden your horizons when it comes to our favorite application.

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New iPhone Video Apps!

Since the iPhone 3GS came out, video recording has been the thing to utlilize lately, what with all the custom camera mounts like the iPhone Gorillapod and Zacuto’s custom rigs, you might feel a little left out if you don’t have the 3GS yet.  Not to fear!  There are three new apps out that actually allow you to take video using your normal ol’ 3G iPhone!.

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Sci-Fi Shows for a VFX Buff…

If you know anything about me, I love me some sweet looking visual effects, and because of that, I end up watching a lot of sci-fi shows on television.  Now, you may know about some of these shows already and watch them religiously, but some are relatively new and may spark an interest in you.  Anywho, read on to see my list of some of my favorites (and not-so-favorites) that are worth giving a go if you are bored on a Saturday night. (more…)

10 Must See Cinema 4D Tutorials!

There are always essentials that you need to know, no matter what program you are working in.  We are going to check out some of the must-see, most awesome tutorials out there for Cinema 4D, whether they are making-of’s, case studies, or full on tutorials, you should probably check all of them out.  If not, well you are missing out my friend, now behold…

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Tut Tuesday: 3D Credit Roll

So I was watching a movie called Minghags the other day (highly not recommended, I don’t know how I survived through the entire thing), but once I got to the credit roll, it intrigued me.  I liked how it put focus into the middle of the credits, and had a cool 3d look to it.  I decided to give it a go, and it was surprisingly easy to create in After Effects.

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Tut… Friday? AE Quick Tips: Using Bridge and Animation Presets

Yeah, I know I am a little late this week… what can I say?  The holiday season is taking it’s toll on me.  This week we are going to take a look at a feature in After Effects that surprisingly, a lot of beginners and intermediate users alike don’t seem to utilize enough.   The Animation Presets that come bundles with After Effects are highly useful, and an invaluable tool when you actually get around to exploring their uses.  Also, most people don’t use Adobe Bridge enough, so I am going to combine the two to show you some ways you can utilize both in your work flow.

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Awesomeness For The Officeness: Volume II

I am sure you are all a lot like me when it comes to your workspace.  It’s your sanctuary, your safe place, the place where you probably spend the most time per week, besides bed, and you want to be comfortable where you work.  You might as well have some awesome stuff to accompany you and make that work experience a tad bit sweeter.  Check out some of the rad stuff I have found across the net, and pick it up for yourself!

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