Topic: what software do they use for those intro sequences on tv?

I've been wondering for quite a while on how those real flashy intro and insync animated sequences that you see on CNN & ESPN at the start of a program / between or end. The animations are real fluid and of course must be the result of highly coordinated efforts of a highly talented team of animators and designer, but I still can't get to grips with what software do they use. I mean packages like Flash MX don't seem adequate enough for producing the great intro animations and fx you see on TV - but thats just what I think.

I'd really really REALLY love to know what software do they use to make thoe great intros and animation sequences.

simple answer: adobe after effects.

lots of other stuff also used, motion is a newer program from apple that can do some really cool motion graphic stuff, and you've often got a 3d program like cinema 4d or lightwave used as well. but after effects is generally the program that's used to bring them all together, tho there are some higher end hardware solutions (paintbox, henry, etc.) as well.

chris


KAIROSinteractive | tangent oriented

I was aware that 3D authoring played an integral part in developing high end animated intros. The thing is that I never was aware of what could be done with after effects. I mean frankly I though initially that it was a high end non linear editing tool - but this all sounds real exciting. Are there any good online jump start tutorials for afterFX, just to get me running

i haven't found a lot of good stuff on the web for after effects, creative cow probably has the best collection of tutorials and info online and there's also a japanese site that has some great stuff but is a bit hard to follow. to really get started pick up any of the chris and trish meyer after effects books, the first one is 'creating motion graphics with after effects: volume I' and is worth its weight in gold.

chris


KAIROSinteractive | tangent oriented

The news station I used to work for used Chyron systems, which as I understand it, are widely used for such TV graphics.

My brother makes film trailers, he uses After Effects for practically everything, especially title effects.

kinda a different aspect from what i can see wes, the chyron systems are primarily character generators used for taking the graphics from screen to broadcast for live/television events. it looks like they do have some software integrated into those systems or other software packages for graphics creation as but i don't know anyone using them.

chris


KAIROSinteractive | tangent oriented