Jun
Yesterday we published a post in which we informed about the possible download of Smoke 2013 pre-release until September 15. For those who did not read it, this is the download link.
Here is a collection of 32 basic tutorials released by Autodesk for new Smoke users.
1. Download and installation
This is the first video tutorial of the collection. Step by step it shows how to download Smoke from the site and then how to install it.
Interface
After the introduction of the previous video, in this one we see for the first time Smoke’s redesigned interface, taking a tour of its menus, windows and main timeline functions.
New project and user
When we open the system for the first time, we are presented with the project and user creation window. This tutorial explains how to enter the data to set up a project and/or user and some of Smoke’s features.
4. Import with MediaHub
Through MediaHub we can import the material in different ways. After importing, it shows us how to view the clips, sort them into folders or change their metadata.
5. Clips with Alpha or Photoshop PSD files
How we can handle files containing an alpha channel or Photoshop PSD files, without harming the different elements of the image, such as layers.
6. Forming
Here we can see how to conform and reconstruct a sequence from XML or AAF, coming from other systems such as Final Cut Pro (7 and X), Avid Media Composer 6 or Premiere Pro CS6.
The working system explained in this tutorial is specific to the pre-reliese, as the forming tools are being redesigned.
7. Organization of the material
Through the Media Library we can organize all the material we have in our project, both clips and sequences, creating different folders. This video shows how to do it, and also how to search and start using the Source Viewer.
8. Viewing clips
How we can view our original clips from different places, such as the Source Viewer or the timeline itself. Here are the ways to play a clip, mark in and out (or delete them) and insert markers.
9. Sequences
This tutorial shows how to create new sequences and adjust their video and audio settings to configure them. Once they are loaded in the timeline, we can modify their number of tracks.
10. Start editing
The Insert and Overwrite functions allow you to bring differently shaped material to the timeline and start editing it. This can also be done directly by dragging one or more clips.
11. The Timeline
Here we can see how to move through the timeline, either by using the mouse, by entering timecodes or with keyboard shortcuts. We also show how to zoom in the timeline or modify the size of the tracks.
In addition, this tutorial shows the keyboard shortcut to view the metadata of a clip by simply hovering over it.
12. Patch Panel
The Patch Panel allows you to connect the original clips to the timeline tracks, and is represented by the “Source” and “Destination” buttons. Here is an explanation of how they work, but for those who have edited with Avid or Final Cut they will be familiar.
13. Editing techniques
Three-point and four-point editing are two commonly used techniques that do not depend on the software being used. Here we explain how to apply them and go into the basic editing functions.
14. Moving clips within a sequence
We can move a clip that has already been edited and place it somewhere else in the timeline. There are two ways to do this, as if we were doing it with Overwrite (overlapping) or with Insert (dragging). In addition, when doing so we can activate the “Snapping” function, thanks to which our clip will “snap” to the cuts.
15. Synchrony
This tutorial explains the reasons why we may have an out-of-sync clip and several options to bring the video back into sync with its audio. For this purpose the “Link Selection” function is taught.
16. Splice, Extract, Lift and Subclips Functions
Here you can see how to use these functions, thanks to which we can cut a clip, extract it in different ways, or create a subclip by selecting a part of the sequence.
17. Roll, Slip and Slide
Thanks to the Roll, Slip and Slide functions we can adjust the cuts from the timeline.
18. Transitions
This video shows how to apply transitions between cuts. The ones used for the examples are Dissolve and Wipe.
19. Effects
The effects part is divided into several tutorials, starting with the previous one on transitions. In this one, it explains how to add an effect to a clip, using some tools, the Effect Editor and rendering.
20. Resize
Here you will learn how to use the Resize effect and the different applications that can be given to it.
21. Qualification
To create a title it is necessary to use Smoke’s text tools. In this video you can see what each of them is used for and the possibilities they offer.
22. Speed changes
Another tutorial on a particular effect, applying constant speed changes or “ramps”, with changes within the same clip.
23. Color correction
A brief tour of the color correction tools available in Smoke. It also explains how to correct the color of a shot automatically, joining it to another (color matching) and how to make secondary corrections.
24. Composition
Another of the processes that can be covered with this system is compositing, and it is thanks to the Axis TimelineFX tool, explained in this tutorial. We also show how to work with a clip containing an alpha channel.
25. Animation
This video is an introduction to the animation tools that can be found in Smoke.
26. Stabilization and tracking
It explains how to track a plane or stabilize it using the Axis tool, explained in previous tutorials.
27. Master Keyer
Continuing with the VFX application, with the Master Keyer we can extract a chroma key and make the necessary adjustments. In this video they also show us how to make a mask.
28. Connect FX
Connect FX is another way of compositing from within Smoke, based on a nodal system and with more advanced tools.
29. Action
The tutorial dedicated to Action, the 3D compositor available through Connect FX, is divided into two parts.
31. Audio
Almost all previous videos have focused on working with the image. In this one we go deeper into working with audio on the timeline, audio transitions, effects and how to use the Audio Desk (called Audio Mixer in other editing systems).
32. Export
To finish this collection of tutorials we have chosen the last process to be carried out: exporting. The ways of exporting the material and the settings configuration window are taught.
