AE Character Animation Upgrade, Maxon's Mystery, AI Art Debate | Motion Mondays

Introduction

Welcome to this week’s edition of Motion Mondays! We have a lot of exciting updates and announcements to cover, from character animation tools and registration opportunities to industry insights on AI art. So, let’s dive in!

Limber 2 for After Effects Launches

Limber 2 for After Effects has officially launched, making waves in the 2D character animation space. This new tool has rapidly gained popularity due to its flexibility and thoughtfully designed features. From simple one-click rigging to advanced IK and FK blending, Limber 2 offers a unique float system for further control over elbow and knee movements. The latest version introduces a limb library boasting over 100 presets, with promises of support for four-legged characters soon. A recent walkthrough video showcased impressive character designs, highlighting the potential for high-end work in After Effects.

Limber 2 is currently available at a 20% discount until September 18th at AEScripts.com, providing a great opportunity for character animators to elevate their animation game.

School Motion's Fall 2024 Session is Open

School Motion is excited to announce that registration for the Fall 2024 session is now open! You can save 10% on your registration if you sign up today or tomorrow using the code “fall regge 10.” Additionally, you will receive a free workshop of your choice! The interactive courses cover everything from After Effects and Cinema 4D to design and VFX, ensuring that you find the right fit for your skill level. Classes begin on October 7th, so check out schoolmotion.com/fall2024 for all details.

Fresh Inspiration Sources

Looking for new design inspiration? Check out Mimo on X, which features outstanding work from emerging artists and studios. Their feed, available at moshimo.dxyz, is a treasure trove of inspiration and tips. Another fantastic resource is Spectacle by Think Mojo Studio, focusing on marketing videos and showcasing innovative techniques used by various brands.

Gaussian Splats and V-Ray Updates

Georgie Zov from Chaos, the creators of V-Ray, recently unveiled a mind-bending tech demo involving ray tracing with Gaussian Splats. If you're unfamiliar with Gaussian splatting, it's a voxel-based technology designed for photorealistic 3D environments and objects rendered in near real time. The combination of ray tracing and Gaussian Splats aims to enhance camera effects like motion blur and depth of field, promising groundbreaking advancements in photorealism.

Student Spotlight: Hari Young

This week, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on our School Motion Student of the Week, Hari Young. She successfully tackled the rubber gold bounce assignment in Animation Boot Camp, demonstrating an impressive understanding of physically plausible animation.

Maxon’s Mystery Announcement

Maxon has been teasing a big announcement set for tomorrow, September 10th. They’ve released a video filled with clues, and excitement is in the air. We’ll also be sharing a video to explore this mystery further, detailing how it may impact motion designers.

Adobe Max Creativity Awards

Adobe Max is headed to Miami, Florida, from October 14th to 16th, bringing with it the Adobe Max Creativity Awards. This contest is an opportunity to showcase your work created with Adobe products, with categories spanning all facets of design. You have until September 19th to submit your entries for a chance to win a free pass, hotel accommodations, and airfare.

Animation Contest

Our School Motion animation contest is still in full swing! Don’t worry if you missed last week's prompt; you can still participate. Each week, our site drops a new challenge. Sign up to receive updates and have a two-day head start on the prompts!

Quick Tips for After Effects Users

Here’s a handy tip for After Effects users: You can set a default project structure. All you need to do is create your ideal organization of folders, save it as a template file, and load it in your new project settings. This saves time and maintains consistency in team projects—a game changer for many users!

Frame.io’s Comprehensive Color Correction Guide

Frame.io just released an updated color correction Bible for Premiere Pro 2024. This guide covers everything from color space management to advanced Lumetri techniques, making it invaluable for any post-production work.

Ted Chiang on AI Art

In a thought-provoking New Yorker essay, author Ted Chiang argues that AI cannot create true art because it lacks intent and conscious choice. Using AI for art is likened to using Photoshop with a purely textual interface—a possibility but not necessarily practical. This discussion brings to light contrasting viewpoints in the industry, such as Procreate’s recent anti-AI stance.

Conclusion

That wraps up this week's Motion Mondays! Don't forget your chance to snag a sweet 10% off deal for our fall 2024 session. All relevant links for today’s topics are available in the description. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you next week!

Keyword

• Keywords: After Effects, Limber 2, character animation, School Motion, Adobe Max, Gaussian Splats, V-Ray, AI art, color correction, Ted Chiang.

FAQ

• What is Limber 2, and how does it enhance character animation?
  Limber 2 is a versatile tool for After Effects that offers features like one-click rigging, IK/FK blending, and a library of presets, making it easier for animators to create complex character animations.

• How can I register for the School Motion Fall 2024 session?
  You can register on the School Motion website. Use code "fall regge 10" for a 10% discount.

• What is Gaussian splatting, and why is it significant?
  Gaussian splatting is a voxel-based technology that enables photorealistic rendering of 3D environments and objects in near real-time, enhancing traditional rendering techniques.

• What is the theme of the Adobe Max Creativity Awards?
  The competition invites submissions of work created with Adobe products across various categories, such as animation, digital design, and mixed media, with the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Miami.

• What recent insights did Ted Chiang provide regarding AI and art?
  Ted Chiang argues that AI lacks the intent and conscious choice necessary for creating true art, suggesting that its use is not a replacement for human creativity.