Nick's Motion Corner:<br /> Plug-in Profile: Trapcode Shine

Oct 31, 2012 at 12:00 am by Store Staff


file_488079.jpgPlug-in Profile: Trapcode Shine

Trapcode Shine, an effects plug-in available from Red Giant Software. The first of the Trapcode plug-ins created by Peder Norrby in 2001, and still a great tool to have.

Trapcode Shine can create a sweeping, shimmering, volumetric lighting effect, most recognized with text application in film and TV. But, there is much more that it can be used for, such as sun rays, as well as a boost for other effects.

In Use

Trapcode Shine is simple to use and renders super fast. Drop it into your project and see immediate results, with plenty of controls to get just the look you want. There are 22 coloring presets included, which are excellent as they are, or can be tweaked as needed. You can also create your own coloring using one, three, or five-color combinations.

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Trapcode Shine and Fractal Noise

You can use Trapcode Shine with other effects, such as building a spooky, smokescreen-type look utilizing a Fractal Noise layer. You also have full control of ray length and shimmer, and this can all be animated (and loopable) for great effect.

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Trapcode Shine controls in Effects panel

Trapcode Shine looks great with 3D text, but a simple text layer produces amazing results. I love the Alpha Edges feature, which allows for a neat beveled-edge look. There is also a full range of compositing modes available as well.

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Alpha Edges feature

But, most of all, Trapcode Shine is simply cool fun to play with. With a bit of experimentation, you can find endless uses for Shine, even for subtle effects, as well as in conjunction with other effects to add a bit more excitement to your projects. Shine really is just a great tool to have in your arsenal, especially if you do any kind of titling work.

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Trapcode Shine used for sun rays

Trapcode Shine is really fun to use for animating backgrounds, too. You can check out some more examples of Trapcode Shine in use on the Red Giant website, here.

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Trapcode Shine can be used for cool animated backgrounds

End Notes

Trapcode Shine is just one of 10 exciting plug-ins in the Trapcode Suite 12.1. While you can certainly purchase Shine on its own for $99, it's a huge savings (over $600) to get the whole Suite if there are even just a few other plug-ins included that you might be interested in. But, the case for Trapcode Shine itself is that there are so many instances you could find yourself using it, and it is super fast and easy to use. And, like I mentioned, if you do any titling work, I can't see how you could pass it up.

One thing I should note here is that I am using Trapcode Shine within After Effects. However, Trapcode Shine can also be purchased for use in Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Avid.

As for Red Giant Software, they are fully committed to providing the best support for their customers, through free video tutorials and quick tips at Red Giant TV, and a wonderful community sharing presets at Red Giant People. Red Giant Software really stands by their products, as evidenced by their Red Pledge Guarantee.

Some info on the newly released Trapcode Suite 12.1

The Trapcode Suite 12.1, created by Peder Norrby and distributed by Red Giant Software, is an outstanding collection of effects plug-ins that range from the simple, but effective, original Trapcode Shine, to the wildly popular, and complex, Trapcode Particular, and the very exciting new Trapcode Mir.

List of all 10 plug-ins included in the Trapcode Suite 12.1:

What’s New in Trapcode Suite 12.1

  • New release! Trapcode Mir creates fast-rendering 3D design elements that respond beautifully to light, texture and depth, and is built on OpenGL rendering for super speed. Learn more.
  • Bonus presets! Trapcode Suite now ships with two Guru Presets by David Vinson for Shine and Particular, giving you 105 bonus presets for broadcast-ready design.
  • Free CS6 updates. Trapcode Form 2.1.3 and Trapcode Particular 2.0.3 fix an issue with After Effects CS6 not updating correctly for input layers. Get updates.
  • Free Lux update. Trapcode Lux 1.3.0 adds dither for 8-bit and 16-bit modes in your favorite 3D lighting tool. Get update.
  • Free update. Trapcode Echcospace 1.1.2 maintenance release. Get update.

Quick Links:


Note: The fine folks at Red Giant are always so excited about their products that in some cases they have made some incredible short films to help promote, as well as show some exciting ways their products can be used. Below is their most recent short film, Form 17, showcasing the use of their latest product offering, PluralEyes 3.0, which allows videographers and filmmakers to synchronize audio and multi-camera video automatically.



Form 17

Description: A bomb technician faces his most hazardous situation yet: Take Your Daughter To Work Day.

This film was synced in seconds with Red Giant PluralEyes 3.0 - Learn more HERE.

Watch 'The Making of Form 17' HERE.

Credits:

Director: Seth Worley Executive Producer: Aharon Rabinowitz Produced by: Neil Hoppe, Shannon Hoppe Written by: Seth Worley, Neil Hoppe, Aharon Rabinowitz

The Lieutenant: Chip Arnold The Daughter: Cammie York Hall Other Officer: Cameron Childs Unfortunate Pizza Delivery Guy: Micah Lanier

Original Music by: Ben Worley Associate Producers: Mark Cowart, Cameron Childs

DP/Camera: Mark Cowart Camera: Jeremy Gonzales Grip: Brian Ellison Audio: Matt Hail Script Supervisor: Jeremy Flick

Art Design: Paul Conrad, Micah Lanier The Bomb designed and built by: Neil Hoppe

Special thanks: Lt. Edward Cherry, Bomb Squad Commander, TN Hwy Patrol Seabourne Pictures

Created with Red Giant PluralEyes 3.0 - Learn more HERE


Nick C. Sorbin is a digital artist, sculptor, writer, and Managing Editor for Renderosity's CG Industry News. With a keen interest in motion graphics, Nick's weekly Motion Corner column highlights the tools and techniques in this vast area, as well as spotlighting current motion designers and software developers.
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