Besides covering the basics of using the Apple Motion^R software, Nick Haurauz also covers more advanced techniques in his book entitled Apple Motion 5 Cookbook.

One of my favorite animation techniques is the particle system and Haurauz shows how to use Motion’s powerful particle system. Gone are the days when you need to write complicated code to create particle animations. The author teaches how to create particles by setting values for the parameters in the HUD and Inspector. Beginning with how to use the preset Particle Behaviors in the Library, the author progresses to more advanced techniques such as 3D particles, particle filled text and creating your own Bokeh.

Motion has another option for creating complex animations called Replicators and Haurauz demonstrates controlling the parameters of the Replicated patterns and animations in the HUD and Inspector and using the Sequence Replicator. He also covers using Replicator presets and keyframing animation. Finally, he discusses how to fake 3D animation effects using 3D Extrusion and interactive cameras.

Using cameras in projects is one technique that I dread but Haurauz covers this in Motion very well. The first techniques the author covers are motion tracking and keying. He first demonstrates how these techniques can be used to solve common problems such as stabilizing a clip and then moves on to more advanced techniques such as Analysis Motion, Offset Tracking and Match Move for applying tracking to a second layer in order to synch their movements. Then he introduces Luma Keying for removing backgrounds and green screen keying techniques. He ends this chapter with the popular Spot Color effect and how to use masks and filters to desaturate most of the image on the screen, leaving only one color for effect.

Once you have mastered the use of cameras in Motion, Haurauz introduces you to the 3D environment and all the new options available in the HUD when creating a 3D project. Beginning with the basics of working with the 3D tools and maneuvering within the 3D interface, the author then moves on to integrating layers with cameras, lighting and depth of field. Once you have light, you learn how to add reflections, which is one way to add realism to your 3D space. You also learn how to work with Adjust Around as well as with 2D and 3D elements within the same project and how using Motion’s Framing Camera Behavior to make your workflow easier.

Finally, it’s time to publish your project and Haurauz covers how to publish as a generator, effect or transition for use in Final Cut Pro. He demonstrates the difference between publishing parameters and rigs. Of course, your project might not be destined for Final Cut Pro or Compressor but for sharing on the web, DVD or something else. The author also covers most of the common questions about publishing your current project as a project preset, template, image still and image sequence.

Nick Haurauz is a trainer for Final Cut Pro, Motion 5, After Effects and Premier Pro and the founder of Inconscience Productions.

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http://www.packtpub.com/apple-motion-graphics-5-cookbook/book

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this article. Packtpub provided this ebook for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.