Layers TV: Episode 49

Corey shares a tutorial about using symbols and masks in Illustrator.

• Place an image into Illustrator and use the rectangle tool to draw a white and a black square
• Drag the squares into the symbols palette to convert them to symbols
• Drag out a new box inside the image. Select both objects and make opacity mask
• Click on the mask thumbnail to work directly on it. Use the symbol sprayer tool to paint square patterns on the image
• You will get different results from the black and white squares
• Use the sizer tool to resize the squares. Use the option key to make the symbols smaller
• Use the screener tool to affect the transparency of those symbols

Rich Harrington is back and this time he is talking about the Gradient Wipe feature inside of After Effects.

• You can create special effects with gradient wipe, which will create a transition that goes from the darker areas to the light
• Use Photoshop to create and/or edit the gradient
• After opening your video clip in After Effects, go to the Effects and Presets menu and search for gradient wipe
• Bring the gradient into the timeline and apply it to the video clip layer
• Set keyframes for the effect at 0% and 100% complete. Adjust the softness setting to tweak the effect
• To change the gradient, select the layer and press Comm/Cntrl + E to open it in Photoshop. Save changes and the effect will update automatically
• You can use all kinds of things as gradients, including other video clips
• Learn more from Rich Harrington in his courses on Kelby Training

Contest Winner
RC and Corey have decided that the weekly contest winner from Layers TV will be announced in RC’s blog post. Remember when you submit your answer in the contact form to choose Layers Blog from the drop-down menu. Be sure to check the front page post for the name of this week’s winner and tune in to this week’s episode to find out what the contest question and prizes are.