Regardless of what software you choose, the world of motion graphics awaits. Whether to spice up the opening of the wedding video with a stunning title sequence or even a fleet of marauding UFOs, motion graphics packages are there to make it happen. All it takes is some time, some practice and some patience.
Why wait? The future beckons.
Tony Bruno is a newly-minted 3D VFX artist. He's been making independent films for six years and has paid the bills for some time as a professional technical writer.
In an era of tightening belts, how can a small studio enter the motion graphics world? Fortunately, there are a couple of alternatives that are both powerful and free. Yes, free.
Blender www.blender.org
Blender is a fully capable, feature-rich 3D modeling and animation package. Though its user interface is far from friendly, its supporters have provided free training videos. Definitely worth a look.
Jahshaka http://jahshaka.org
Less feature-rich than Blender, Jahshaka is an open-source equivalent to After Effects. Perfect for the studio that wants to give motion graphics a try at no cost.
Tutorials can be found here.
Click here to download a PDF Manufacturer's list of Videomaker's Motion Graphics & Animation Software Buyer's Guide.
After Effects Apprentice
Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects, Vol. 1 (3rd Ed., Version 6.5)
Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects, Vol.2, (3rd Ed., Version 6.5)
Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects (4th Ed., Version 6.5)
Videomaker Multimedia Tutorial - After Effects Part 1 (DVD-ROM)
Videomaker Multimedia Tutorial - After Effects Part 2 (DVD-ROM)
Composition 201
Simple Compositing
Wedding Videoland
How to Composite Video for Inserting Backgrounds in Sets