How do you make 3D realistic video graphic effects?

[tomld]

I am interested in creating a realistic 3d text effect for introducing the people in my films. Ideally it would be a standard font with some sort of basic 3d effect, with a mirror animation showing on the actual font face and then having a left to right REALISTIC flame bring the text in, and the same flame however right to left, sweep the text away. With the flame realistically dissapating when complete, maybe leaving some lingering realistic smoke trails.

Now how would something like this be accomplished? I can create static 3d text, flames, etc in photoshop, but nothing animated with realistic motions. Would something such as this need to be designed in a 3d application such as 3d studio max? Are there any plugins that could produce something similar? And however this can be done, would there be any way to create it as sort of an action that could be reapplied to any text without recreating the animation for each name?

I use Premiere Pro and After Effects for all my video editing. Your ideas are very appreciated.

Thanks
Tom

[guns1inger]

zaxworks for after effects might do it. Otherwise Ulead having something called cool 3d or similar which can do 3d lettering and animation. Flames are a more difficult proposition as realist flames are difficult to do well, even in high-end 3d software. What you are asking for is not simple, and would take a good effects crew several days, and yes, would have to be tailored for each letter, although a good technical director would probably simplify it with some custom scripting.

[jtoolman2000]

Get yourself BluffTitler DX9

You'll love it

[dipstick]

I recomend using Ulead Cool 3d, Premiere or AE, Photoshop and a whole lot of elbow grease.

Blufftitler DX9 is cute and all, but too weak for this task.

[tomld]

BluffTitler looks pretty good from the examples on their site. Is there any standard premiere or after effects features that can create a smoke or haze type affect? Or are there any 3rd party plugins that can do this? And also whats an easy way to add a reflection on the font face? Seems like a pretty common feature in many videos.

[guns1inger]

Reflections can be easily done by masking the area you want to have the reflection in, and putting a flipped version of the main video in it. You may have to tweak levels at other details to make it fit.

There are plugins for after effects that do fire and smoke, but I have yet to see one that is convincing.
Start here -> http://www.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/page_wrapper.cgi?forumid=2&page=/articles/script_ge...ts_script.html and scroll through the list for fire and smoke tutorials, as well as many other useful effects and ideas.

[BodaZoffa]

You might be able to integrate Particleillusion 3 with Premiere Pro titlling. Use Particleillusion for the fire & smoke & layer it over Premiere footage.

Boda

[tomld]

By reflection, I dont mean like a watery reflection below the text or mirror of the text, but instead the actual face of the font reflect as if it is chrome.

[guns1inger]

I understand that is what you mean. If you want ti completely chrome and truely reflected then you need something that can either work in AE's 3d space (Zaxworks), or something that can do simple mapping. Simple mapping won't look any where near as good. You might want to consider how accurate the reflections really need to be. If you just need a chrome effect, try bluring the footage that is being frelcted. It will still look like chrome, but it won't matter so much if it doesn't line up exactly.

To me it is becoming clear that what you want to achieve and you current skill level in any of these tool just don't line up. You should try to either set your sights on something more realistic and achievable for your current abilities, or just start getting your hands dirty. You will find that most of the truely talented people here got that way by doing, not by asking how all the time. Then, when you get stuck (and every body does some time), you can come back with specific questions.

[tomld]

Particle Illusion looks great.

gunslinger, you really got me pegged. Good thing I didn't move forward with something so unrealistic and unachievable. But seriously, planning high means acheiving high. I'm only asking here for a little direction while I wait for my copy of Adobe Video Collection to arrive.

[thecoalman]

features that can create a smoke or haze type affect?

Ulead Cool 3-d can accomplish all that you have mentioned. The particle affects such as fire and smoke are outstanding, some of the most realistic I have seen as long as you take the time to learn how to manipulate them.

[jtoolman2000]

By reflection, I dont mean like a watery reflection below the text or mirror of the text, but instead the actual face of the font reflect as if it is chrome

Again I say try BluffTitler DX9

I made a super nice fly by - rotatin - zooming - jittering "Chrome"
( with plenty of reflections ) oppener for one of my instructional metal working videos. Came out gorgeous. I added as ountrack of machine sounds adjusting the volume as the text did its thing.