Motion 101

This class is designed for students who are looking to learn more about creating motion graphics using Motion and who prefer hands-on, interactive instruction.

Understanding behavior-based animation and templates

Working with blend modes and chroma key techniques

Advanced particle system design

Masking methods

Keyframing techniques

Integration with Apple Professional Applications

Basic knowledge of Mac OS X

Some knowledge of Final Cut Pro 6 is helpful

A Tour of Motion: Getting to know the interface, Some Windowing Hot Keys,Gestural Input, Importing Footage, Setting the Play Range, Zooming Options, Adding Layers, Cloning and Instancing, Applying Behaviors,Using the Motion Path Behaviors, Applying Filters, Soloing RAM Previews, Freezing Tracks, Deactivating Behaviors and Filters, Particle Simulations, Adding a Third Dimension and Autosave.

Generators and Particle Presets: Applying Generators from the Library, Motion Blur-dependent Presets, Core Image Content, Working in the Inspector,Working with Gradients, Using Hotboxes and Sliders, Using the Displacement Filter, Using Image Wells, Rendering and Asset Management.

Groups, Layers and Blend Modes: Building a Multi-Layered Composite, Navigating the Layers Tab, Working with Filters and Behaviors in the Layers Tab,Creating Text, Modifying Blend Modes, Nesting and Collapsing, and Working in Float Space.

The Third Dimension: Converting from 2Dto 3D, Getting Around in 3D, 'First-person Shooter' Navigation, Arranging Layers with Depth, Mixing 2D and 3D Layers, Adding Lights, 3DTexture Properties, Adding Cameras, Applying an Animation Preset,Working with Behaviors in 3D, and a Quick Look at Particles.

Using Templates: Using Motion's Templates, Accessing Template Elements, Creating Your Own Templates and Working iLife Content.

Text Effects: Formatting Text, Working with Text Parameters, Browsing Text Presets, Sequencing Test, Animating Text on a Path, Working with 3DText, and Creating Custom Presets.

Particles and Parameter Behaviors: Building Particles froma Movie Clip, Refining a Particle System, Adding Color, Changing Rotation and Spin, Changing Scale, Birth, Death, and Life, Using Parameter Behaviors, and MIDI Control

The Replicator: Replicating a Clip, Adjusting the Replicator Shape, Modifying Rows, and Applying the Sequence Replicator Behavior

Advanced Particle Design: Sprites, Multiple Particles, One Emitter, Emitter Shapes, Modifying Particle Behavior, Particle Proxies and RAM Previews, Blending, Particles in 3D Space, and Moving Particles with Simulation Behaviors

Key framing: Setting Keys Manually, Record Animation Shortcut, Record Animation Modes, Working in the Keyframe Editor, Parameter Hotkeys, Working with Keyframes in the Timeline and Keyframing Filters

Painting in Motion: Basic Painting, Write-on Effect, Customizing Brushes, Changing Stroke Properties over Life, Working with a Pen and Tablet, Applying Dynamics and Behaviors, and Creating 3D Effects with Paint Strokes