ShiveringCactus

YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX This NEW Free Black Hole Plugin for After Effects is Insane!

@productioncrate.bsky.social have quietly released a free #blackhole plugin that allows you to create Interstellar style singularities directly inside @adobevideo.adobe.com #aftereffects. I've made a tutorial showing how to get, install and use it.
youtu.be/7ChSu8UwWNU

How #StarTrek : #TNG made planets and clouds (using talcum powder)
This clip comes from my full deep-dive video essay, where I break down the models, optical tricks, and pioneering VFX techniques that brought TNG to life.
youtu.be/o3r2EGlsaYY

I've always loved Star Trek: The Next Generation, and decided to do a deep dive into how the VFX teams created the effects in the days before digital compositing and 3D rendering. I learned show much and wanted to share it.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3r2...

YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX After Effects PC Buying Guide | RAM vs Cores, GPU & Laptop vs Desktop

've put together a "buyer's guide" for @adobevideo.adobe.com
#AfterEffects to help users figure out what they need to prioritise once they know how AE works. I hope everyone finds it useful. #adobecommunityexperts
youtu.be/xU9tHrJH6KM

I decided to challenge myself to see how close I could get to realistic fireworks just using the included effects in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects. I think I got pretty close.
Tutorial, plus project files and print version: youtu.be/s6-q5x_oFA4

YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX Don't Let Your Vertical Videos Get CUT OFF! Safe Zones for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok

I'm sharing a new preset and mogrt file to help creators with vertical videos by overlaying safe zones. There's no Bluesky option, because it seems like the whole video is shown without things getting in the way!
youtu.be/I6tGaxotm1s

The three thumbnails from my latest @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #tutorial, where I add rings to the sky using sky replacement techniques.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsT...

@blender.org vs @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #Planets. Each time I share a space #tutorial someone asks "why don't you use Blender?" So I did and then compare it to what I can do in AE.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Co_...

A black mug with a green tracking marker

A mouse mat with standard color reference bars, like you'd see from a TV signal.

A notebook with a transparency grid pattern.

I've been having fun setting up a @fourthwall.com for my #YouTube. Honestly, I don't really expect anyone to buy anything, but has reminded me of being 11 years-old and getting a printer. There's something magical about designing something on a computer and then seeing a physical version it.

I've been having a lot of fun making planets in @adobevideo.adobe.com #aftereffects and in this video, I show how to add two types of planetary rings. Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySpa...

A YouTube video page showing my next tutorial with the merchandise shelf underneath

I've been having a bit of fun / getting distracted this weekend setting up a shop on YouTube's product shelf ... thingy. Honestly, I don't expect anyone to buy anything but it looks cool seeing my work on mugs and hoodies next to my videos. shiveringcactus-shop.fourthwall.com @adobecommunityexperts

Having fun with the new Advanced 3D Light shadows in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects #adobecommunityexperts. Recreating Captain America: Civil War titles is pretty simple:

I've been playing A LOT with @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects 3D renderer and have come up with a method to create nightside lights for a planet.
youtu.be/ExoPpcyZyTo

#adobecommunityexperts #tutorial

YouTube video by ShiveringCactus: VFX Create ANY PLANET in After Effects

Tutorial: Create ANY planet in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects without needing 3D software. I show how to take a simple OBJ sphere, create a new texture map for it and add clouds and atmospheres.
And I've included a text version of the #tutorial too.
youtu.be/wWtaAxRsPWQ
#AdobeCommunityExperts

Next-gen Pokémon card.
(Not really, I was just having a bit of fun in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects )
#AdobeCommunityExperts

Figuring out how to do this in @adobevideo.adobe.com #AfterEffects has bugged me for ages. A seemingly simple motion graphic of 3D travel arcs going from point to point on a globe. I finally had a chance to sit down and crack it.
#Tutorial:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQLN...

The thumbnail for my video on exporting videos with alpha transparency.

I kept seeing posts on #AfterEffects forums asking about videos with #transparency and so decided to look into it. I've always had a preferred method, so I didn't understand the confusion - but wow - there's a lot of bad infomation out there. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS5n...

The natural movements you’ve got in the rail and head as it walks are great.

Very cool, is it all 2D or did you use a 3D model? Either way, it’s great.

I've figured out a simple workflow to create 3D Luma Mattes in #Blender so that I can replace and animate screens of 3D objects directly in @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects.
#Tutorial: youtu.be/DQq1Nm_CS58

Change the color of 3D objects directly inside @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects with only a tiny bit of #Blender needed. #Tutorial : www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1e9...

I have some thoughts but need to think about it some more before posting further.

Just got access to @adobelive.bsky.social #Firefly generative video. Asked for “flying through clouds, bright sunlight”

Animating Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night using Curl Noise in @adobelive.bsky.social #AfterEffects. I've been meaning to try this ever since that #DoctorWho episode.
Tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dell...

Flying through clouds made using @adobelive.bsky.social Express, removing the backgrounds in #Photoshop and then animating in #AfterEffects. And while watching Carry-On I spotted the Dreamworks logo might have been made using the same sort of techniques!
Tutorial: youtu.be/GNGB2_Wn8rA

#VFX History: bluescreen and how color film works. A deep dive into the everything from the BBC's CSO for #DoctorWho , the Sodium Vapour process, #StarTrek's UV screens, #Superman and an awful lot more.
I'm really pleased with the result, I hope you find it enjoyable:
youtu.be/Yhf-QQMjHwA

That’s a very good point, I knew he reminded me of someone! Still I like the direction they’ve taken Kirk in.

Finally finished the first draft of my next VFX history video (sadly no interview with Dan Curry) and watched it back and immediately begged to my wife for help. It’s good, but needs tightening in places, loosening in others. Fingers crossed.

I've been having loads of fun recreating the nebula from #StarTrek Insurrrection. NJM Photo on YouTube has their own motion control rig to shoot miniatures and we collaborated on that to make "The Battle of the Briar Patch".
Battle: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNj...
Tutorial: youtu.be/V3yKTZEPoLg

That’s very cool. I’d love to see how you’ve done this.