Graphics and Compositing Articles

• Green Screen / Chroma Keying
• Mattes
• Time Remapping
• Titles

• Tweaks
  May, 2010
  by Douglas Dixon
  Editing for the Future: Moving to 64-bit Video Production
• Tips for Lower Third Titles
  April, 2010
  by Mark Montgomery
  The best way to identify your Spokesperson in your video is by using a lower third byline. Creating them is more than just making a title, they identify a…
• Branding With Bugs
  March, 2010
  by Mark Montgomery
  See that little ID icon in the bottom corner of your TV screen? That's called a "bug". It used to be, only network news shows used bugs. Now everyone is using…
• The Art Of The Title Sequence
  August, 2009
  by Edward B. Driscoll, Jr.
  Title sequences contribute both information & atmosphere to a video. A stylish title sequence when properly executed, adds an immediate air of…
• Adobe After Effects Tutorial: A Flock of Particles
  May, 2009
  by Brian Peterson
  Tutorial on how to use After Effects Particle Playground to create animations. Particles can do more than just add sparkle to an effect. You can use them...
• In Box: Best Media Storage Methods • DIY Chroma Key
  April, 2009
  by Videomaker Editors
  Video Media Archiving - investigating the best method for archiving the video... DIY Chroma Key Wall - inquiring about the chroma key green paint...
• Motion Graphics & Animation Software Buyer's Guide
  April, 2009
  by Tony Bruno
  Computer animation has come a long way. Today, 3D animation software & 2D animation software are being combined to create complex title sequences.
• How to Use Adobe After Effects & Photoshop to Create the Line-Map Animation Effect
  April, 2009
  by Brian Peterson
  Videomaker's tutorial on how to use Adobe After Effects and Photoshop to show your travels by creating a line-moving-through-a-map animation effect.
• Editing Simple Compositing
  January, 2009
  by Morgan Paar
  Everyone loves to be awed by movie magic, and you can bedazzle your audience using our simple compositing tips that reveal the Secret of See Through Layers…
• Tutorial Rotoscoping: fix goofs, change virtual sets, or make your hero fly
  January, 2009
  by Paul Del Vecchio
  How to fix on-set goofs, change virtual sets, or make your action heroes fly through the air amidst gunfire, snowflakes, or magic dust. Rotoscoping is one of…
• Tutorial The ABCs of Chromakeys
  September, 2008
  by Tom Benford
  Without a doubt, you see chromakeys used countless times - probably every time you watch the news on TV - and perhaps you aren't even aware of it.
• Tutorial - Making Realistic Muzzle Flashes
  August, 2008
  by Paul Del Vecchio
  Stop, or I'll Shoot! Have you ever wanted to have a gun in your film? What about a cool action scene with guns blazing, people running, dishes exploding and…
• Tutorial: Burning Down The House
  April, 2008
  by Paul Del Vecchio
  In today's films, it seems everywhere you look you see Visual FX. Visual FX are powerful tools when used correctly, but they are often frowned upon when they're…
• Time Remapping
  February, 2008
  by Morgan Paar
  Changing the speed of a shot is easy... but, unless you're looking for a Keystone Cops effect, to control that shot takes more than just accelerating or…
• The Craft of Family History Videos: Making Classics Out of Clutter
  December, 2007
  by Jeanne Rawlings
  We treasure our memories, but we can be easily overwhelmed. Fearlessly dive into your archives and uncap your camera lens for the holidays to create a video…
• Timeline: Cookin' with Keyframes
  September, 2007
  by Morgan Paar
  Cookin' with Keyframes
• The Keys To Chromakey: How To Use A Green Screen
  September, 2007
  by Ed Driscoll
  How to use a Green Screen to create the background you want in your video.
• Video Editing : Coloring for Style
  March, 2007
  by Morgan Paar
  Think of your fondest memories: the orange setting sun on your vacation, the green cactus and red earth on your last desert hike, the blue of a loved one's…
• Video Editing : A Titillating Tickler on Titling
  February, 2007
  by Morgan Paar
  Quick, open your titler, choose a trendy font and color, then type some words and position it on the screen; done. But there is more, much more, to titles than…
• Video Editing : The Ghosts of Edits yet to Be
  October, 2006
  by Bill Davis
  Time to dim the lights and tell ghost stories. Our Editorial Department demonstrates some techniques on putting some spook into your videos.
• How DID They do that?
  April, 2006
  by Randal K. West
  It's April Fool's Day, and what better way to amuse your friends than getting a little giddy with the camera and going a little wacko with your video?
• Video Editing : Better Composites in 8 Layers
  January, 2006
  by Bill Davis
  Though more of an art than a science, there are a handful of tried and true techniques in compositing that can help convey your message.
• Video Editing : The 3-Ring 3D Title Circus!
  December, 2005
  by Bill Davis
  And in the center ring: the amazing, the gigantic, the most impressive typography known to mankind... Ladies and Gentlemen! Feast your eyes on 3D titles!
• Green Screen Lighting
  October, 2005
  by Jim Stinson
  Virtual green screen sets are no longer just for the privileged Hollywood bigwigs.
• Tools For the Creative Digital Artist
  October, 2005
  by George Furukawa
  Whether you're making movies, or corporate videos, in a virtual production world, having the right video effects are nowadays as important as acquiring that&hel…
• Video Editing : Manipulating Time
  September, 2005
  by Bill Davis
  Tempis Fugit. If you're not up on conversational Latin, that's
• Video Editing : Using Still Photos in Video
  July, 2005
  by Bill Davis
  The Civil War not only changed American history forever, but it changed the future world of video editing.
• Basic Training: The (Alien) Sky's the Limit!
  March, 2005
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Your color creation palette is limited only to the imagination when you understand how to use the simple video filters in your editing software.
• Bringing Pixels to Life
  March, 2005
  by Hal Robertson
  A Guide to Animation Software.
• Video Editing : Tips for Editing Montages
  February, 2005
  by Bill Davis
  When random pictures come together to create a single compelling collection.