[Corsi e training] Magnet Media DMTS Inside Motion 2 [ENG]

Next chapter is completely dedicated to particle effects. This is a topic quite difficult for many users, but here it is explained in an excellent way. In 5 lessons for a total duration of 50 minutes we will learn how to use Motion particle effects and how to create our own customized effects. This is another case in which animations are incredibly helpful: I found the water gun example really effective to illustrate particle effects.

The last lesson of the chapter illustrates a number of useful tips to improve Motion’s real time engine performances.
This is one of the best aspects of the training, which is full of tips and advices on project management, performance optimization and more. This kind of informations are extremely important because are based on real experience and are very difficlut to find on user manuals.
From the next chapter we start with the second intermediate project focused on filters, markers, blend modes, masking and keying. Markers lesson is very helpful because it describes music synchronization, a technique used every day in motion graphic works.

Masks could have been covered with more detail, considering for example more complex masks useful for rotoscoping objects from their background.
Motion supports graphic tablets, and the chapter “Gestures” describes how to configure and use this kind of controller.
One of the main features of Motion is the integration with other Final Cut Studio applications, and a chapter describes this with respect to Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro. With DVD Studio Pro we will learn how to use Motion to create a motion menu and how it is simple to work in DVD Studio and modify the menu without rendering after every change.

DVD 2 describes the new features introduced in Motion 2. The mein section is based on replicators, ad Jim explains how to make a graphic video for a TV show using replicators, particles and some of the new filters included in Motion 2, like the 3D filter.

Here as in DVD 1 we find many tips, for example I found very useful the advice on Ref. Objects management.
In the section dedicated to integration I have to point out the lesson which describe Motion integration with Adobe After Effects, a new feature introduced with version 2.0 that will be appreciated by users of both programs. In Motion 2 in fact you can import a project in After Effects, open it in Motion for changes, and bring it back to AE without exporting and re-importing.

Conclusion
My final opinion on this training is absolutely positive. Every user, beginner or advanced, will find in this DVD set a great way to learn about all the aspects of Motion 2.
Stong points are the amount of tips and advices included and also the fact (as I mentioned for Inside Final Cut Pro 5) that lessons are based on real projects, not abstract examples.
You can buy DMTS Inside Motion 2 at the price of 99$ on DMTS site as a stand alone product or in DMTS Inside Final Cut Studio at 299$, which includes also Final Cut Pro 5, DVD Studio Pro 4 and Soundtrack Pro training courses for a total of 7 DVD.