Trapcodes Particular Q and RyanM Intro.

[Mylenium]

...I went to there site to look at it and its like 300$!! Is this true?

Yes, it is.

Im not shure if I read it right but just some plug in for AAE cant cost that much. Right?

Huh? Why shouldn't it? Good effects cost money and so do the tools creating them. Sorry friend, you have a fundamental misperception here. Either you are commited to creating effects and accept the cost of it all or you aren't. And by no ways is After Effects or any plugin excessively expensive compared to tools like Fusion, Nuke or whatever. If that's too much for you, then think hard about it and decide whether you shouldn't persue other career options like becoming a gardener (but even then equipment costs money...)

Dose it like come with AAE or something, cuz I just want the plug in I have AAE CS3 already.

No, you need to buy it separately.

Mylenium

[DecWest]

The Trapcode Plug in Suite is awesome. Particular is a vey quick way of producing high quality effects for CHEAP all in the AFX environment!

I would reccomend getting the trial version, give it a good bit of R&D time and then think about purchasing.

I have found that using Particular is a lot cheaper and less time consuming process than generating and rendering unique (Maya) Fluid or Voxel based smoke/fire/explosion effects!

Another beauty is it's all under one App Environment which makes for a really smooth workflow

[RyanM]

Thanks and I guess ill get the trial of it.

Also what are some of the plug-ins that you would say are "gotta haves" for AAE CS3? I saw that trapcode has other things like Shine and Echo something, are they good to get?

What is R&D time as DecWest said? I guess im still a Newb at VFX I mean I have rudimentery knowledge of AAE I can do really good lightsabers (so much for modesty) and energy balls, cloneing Ect... but those are all just basicly from reading tutorials, is there anywhere that can teach me a more complex understanding of AAE so I can do more personal and creative Peices?:D

[evanfotis]

Also what are some of the plug-ins that you would say are "gotta haves" for AAE CS3? I saw that trapcode has other things like Shine and Echo something, are they good to get?
"gotta haves"?
It depends on your needs.
and your pocket..
Some fx can be recreated with native ones, but take time to tweak or render.

Have a look at Myleniums ae pages, or the aeportal plugin lists, although a tad outdated, or @ the aeportalblogpost that has loads of links.

Since trapcode, digital anarchy and other plug in creators have trial versions, just look at the samples or try them, to see if they fit your needs.
Shine is nice and fast, although cc has an equivelant light ray.
Saphire has a great collection, and just look at their prices if particular intimidates you.

[hospadam]

I know everyone else here has touched on this... but -

For what you can produce with this plugin, it's way, way underpriced in my opinion. Using that plugin, I can create greate particle effects, that saves me from having to open up a 3d program. The plugin really is amazing.

I feel like I should ask - How much did you pay for After Effects?

[DecWest]

I know everyone else here has touched on this... but -

For what you can produce with this plugin, it's way, way underpriced in my opinion. Using that plugin, I can create greate particle effects, that saves me from having to open up a 3d program. The plugin really is amazing.

I feel like I should ask - How much did you pay for After Effects?

Totally agree with you mate. Like I said in my post - had I wanted to use Maya/MAX/XSi to create my FX work it would have cost THOUSANDS of pounds/dollars extra - then the cost of doing the work, then rendering the work and then finally bringing it in to AFX...expensive

As for recommended plug ins - it depends on what actual work you want to do. You CAN do a hell of a lot with the basic plug ins.

When it comes to purchasing plug ins I base that on what actual tasks I have been given.
When it comes to learning an application it is better in the long term to understand the philosophy and the core functionality of the process than being just a 'plug in jockey'.

However, If I know I can do 'x' effect much quicker (time to setup, iterate and get final sign off) using an external plug in I will consider purchasing or even short term lease (some companies do this).

As far as a typical plug in suite, I use ReelSmart:Motion Blur, Lenscare, most of the Trapcode stuff and check out the Tinderbox tools -some really excellent plug ins

Enjoy mate and keep us posted with your progress

[RyanM]

I feel like I should ask - How much did you pay for After Effects?

I paid 360$ at Academic SuperStore because im in 10th grade, worked all summer for it.

[hospadam]

Maybe Redgiant (the people who sell Particular) have an educational price as well? I haven't looked into this - but a lot of companies do it. I'd check around if I were you.

I agree with DecWest as well. I typically get plugins on a per-project basis. I try to keep a working knowledge of the "good" plugins that are out there... juts so I know what's available. When something comes up that I think warrants picking up one of those plugins, I usually do it. I've just kind of slowly built up my library of plugins... but it's still not that large.

As DecWest said.. I really use ReelSmart:MotionBlur a lot... and they have a Time Remapping one that I really like... Twixtor I think? I used to use that a lot when I was dealing with image sequences. In anycase... I know it sucks that it's expensive... but it really is one of the high-end plugins...

When you think that most people paid $1000+ for AE (CS3 suite of some sort)... it's not a big deal to pay $300 for a plugin that will save you lots of time... and as my boss always says...

Time is money.

[Mylenium]

Maybe Redgiant (the people who sell Particular) have an educational price as well?

I'm not aware of any special educational discounts, but you can buy some bundles that include Shine, Starglow and 3DStroke at 50% discounts on Digitaljuice (http://www.digitaljuice.com) and Toolfarm (http://www.toolfarm.com). I don't think such a thing exists for Particular and Form, but then again they are aimed at "Pros" from the start...

Mylenium

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