The Dark Knight Trailer I would like to try to create something that closely resembles this, but instead of shards of metal, I want it to be flashes of light. I'm able to get elements of it within Particular, but can' fully achieve the light blasts. I have something close, but it's steady streams, I can't figure out how to create the bursts in Trapcode Particular.
Re: Recreate this effect for Logo by Jeff Bloch on Feb 13, 2008 at 9:29:58 pm
To do the short light burst... I would try Knoll Light Factory from Red Giant. You'd have better control over the light. I would also use an animated matte to control and isolate some bursts.
Hope this helps and gives you some ideas.
Jeff Bloch
Commercial Production Manager
CBS Television, Sacramento
Re: Recreate this effect for Logo by Joe Moya on Feb 14, 2008 at 1:01:53 am
If you have Trapcode... you can control the "burst" by changing the velocity and/or number of particles and/or size of particles... you can even assign a track to the movement of particles.
Re: Recreate this effect for Logo by Mike Park on Feb 14, 2008 at 10:05:34 pm
Just for fun, I recreated the effect for you using Trapcode Particular and Trapcode lux. It is not perfect, but very close approximate for the effect. The only thing I would change, had I more time would be to change the flare. I used lux, but a customized Knoll light flare, as said above, would be better and offer more control.
All of the particle layers are linked to the rotation of the null layer named "Particle Rotation" so to move the direction of the entire effect, just adjust the x and y rotation.
PS, you will need to download the trailer in 720p to use as a background comparison image in the comp. The name of the trailer from the website you provided above is the_dark_knight-tlr1_720p.mov
Finally, I must confess that virtually everything I learned about AFX was due to this forum and the contributions of everyone and the tutorials - thank you all
Re: Recreate this effect for Logo by Mike Park on Feb 15, 2008 at 1:33:39 am
One quick follow up, if you want to make more streaks, I suggest you precompose the layers which make up the entire particle streak effect, including the point light. Duplicate the precomp and then adjust the rotation null in the new precomp. Adjust the point light and the fallout particle source position and then drop it back into the main comp. Offset the time, and you have another streak ready made. Duplicate this process as many times as necessary to achieve the result you need.
PS, if you have any comments or constructive criticism, or know how to achieve this look in a different or more efficient way, by all means let me know. I appreciate you time.
Re: Recreate this effect for Logo by Daniel Elder on Feb 15, 2008 at 8:25:32 pm
That looks great, I will play around with it and see if II can tweak it. But I like where you were going with it, it'd be nice to see if you completed the spot. In my humble opinions I think you have nailed it on the spot, I couldn't tell too much of a difference between their flares and yours. Well done Mike and thanks for posting that, it'll be useful
Re: Recreate this effect for Logo by Mike Park on Feb 15, 2008 at 10:13:01 pm
Thank you for the compliment. This effect could be produced in a true 3d program like maya or max using actual 3d particles. I fact, it would have been easier to do this entire shot, in my opinion, in 3d max using particles. However, it is fun to try to recreate the same look in afx. My only concern is the render times for afx once you get quite a few instances of the flares going at the end. You may have to render out a few at a time and then compose the footage back in using a screen or add transfer. I would like to finish the shot and may give it a go if I have some free time or other pressing need.
Good luck on your own project, and if you have any other questions or need any help, let me know. Also, I would love to see your finished project, so shoot me a link once you are done.
