This QuickTime Overview video shows the basic workflow of Little Stick, dynamic tree modeling software. The video shows steps to create a sample movie that is available below. Note that this QuickTime Overview view does not contain audio commentary.
Click on the button to watch a sample. 
We imported maple leaf and bark images to model a dynamic tree blown by wind. Continue reading
Adobe After Effects CS3 Basics #14: Film 2
The following Adobe After Effects CS video tutorial was initially designed only for the digital download version. We can honestly tell you that an intruder hacked our digital store a few weeks ago and deleted all files, using an exploit pack for the software package we purchased online. The software developer has fled instead of offering a fix. That’s what happens when you purchase PHP software developed by inexperienced, irresponsible programmers. For now, we have no plan for putting the digital download store back. In the meantime, we have decided to release all remaining five video tutorial for the Adobe After Effects CS3 Basics series. Three more video tutorials will be released tomorrow.
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We continue to work on the Film project by connecting two compositions with Expression. In this tutorial, we also introduce Light as a new object.
Keywords: Expression, Light, Point of Interest Continue reading
Adobe After Effects CS3 Basics #13: Film 1
The following Adobe After Effects CS video tutorial was initially designed only for the digital download version. We can honestly tell you that an intruder hacked our digital store a few weeks ago and deleted all files, using an exploit pack for the software package we purchased online. The software developer has fled instead of offering a fix. That’s what happens when you purchase PHP software developed by inexperienced, irresponsible programmers. For now, we have no plan for putting the digital download store back. In the meantime, we have decided to release all remaining five video tutorial for the Adobe After Effects CS3 Basics series.
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We have learned After Effects basics. It’s time to work on something more creative. We will spend the next three tutorials to create a 3D film roll, from which a film of pictures will extend over time.
Keywords: Flip, CC Cylinder Continue reading
A couple of European visitors have reported in the past three weeks that they were not able to watch all or most of sample video tutorials posted here. A possible explanation is a report that three of four underwater communications cables have been severed. Our servers are all located in the U.S. and no North American, Asian or Australian member has made a similar claim so far.
If you are affected, we apologize for your trouble in watching our sample and/or member-only video tutorials. For now, there is no immediate fix that we can work on.
Little Stick is a Mac-only software title developed by a small British company. What it does is to let users create 3D movies / snapshots of dynamic tree movements. Personally, I thought at first that this Mac software title didn’t quite impress me. But you will be surprised to see how minutely the tree is depicted after you export a project to a QuickTime movie.
 Screenshot 01 |
 Screenshot 02 |
To begin with, you need to select a tree type under a top pull-down menu. As shown in Screenshot 01, Little Stick comes with Dawn Redwood, European Larch, Japanese Larch, Swamp Cypress, … The list goes on and on. How many tree types are included? The full version comes with at least 94 tree types. If you go to Real Trees A-Z, you can find one that you want in the alphabetical order. (See Screenshot 02.)
 Screenshot 03 |
 Screenshot 04 |
 Screenshot 05 |
There are several factors that will change the look of the tree. One is tree’s age. The age pull-down menu includes Sapling, Child, Adolescent, Adult, Ancestor and Dead. (See Screenshot 03.) As shown in Screenshot 04, another important factor is Season. For example, if I choose Winter, the tree will lose all leaves. (See Screenshot 05.) Continue reading