Hi Terry,

Thank you very much for answering.

I took the name exactly as it is advertised by New Blue here:

https://bluefx.net/op/logo-supercharger-4 ( I don´t know if I can mention this site but in case there are objections search for NB logo animations ).

It would be ideal if MEP 3D animated could reproduce logos exactly as they are and that is exactly what NB templates do for AE.

José Robles

Hi José,

First, the site is BlueFX, not New Blue. Big difference!

BlueFX creates all kinds of templates that work with After Effects and your logo. They only do these for After Effects, no other software. And remember, they created these things specifically to highlight a logo, and they charge a lot for this.

If you want to create the fancy animated graphics that will do something with your logo, then the best alternative would be BluffTitler. You can use the templates that come built in, make your own and do all kinds of fabulous things with the effects. Take a look at the what people produce in the BluffTitler Community and you will see what I mean. You export whatever you do to a video file and import that into the video editor. You can give the background a green colour to be able to use Chromakey in MEP. There is a steep learning curve.

If you want to do something with the 3D titles, then you need 3D Maker from Magix/Xara. I get this since I have VPX. Terry knows if there is a way to get it to work with MEP. However, you don't get all of the fancy graphics. They have to come from somewhere.

You have SpiceMaster so you can even get creative with it.

John CB

Hi José,

Having now seen the sort of logo animation you apparently want, I’d echo John’s recommendation of Bluff Titler. With that you have the choice of either buying template packs, which I think can comfortably match the glitzy level of those from BlueFX, or climbing the steep learning curve and then deploying BT’s exceptional versatility to make your own.

MEP’s built-in 3D titles are not in the same league. But they could be a starting point, supplemented heavily with additional video clip resources plus MEP effects if you’re really set on a Las Vegas-style logo.

If I get time later this afternoon I’ll upload a few relatively simple BT examples to give you a flavour.

Hi José

I have been experimenting with Blender, a free, 3D animation software for creating transition effects, animation effects, 3D spaces etc for video.

Blender can also be used to create Titles with effects which are only limited by your imagination - there are tutorials on Youtube how to do this.

HTH

John EB

Hi José,

Here are the examples I mentioned. You could easily enhance any of these within MEP.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jfrikuytxg7fmq3/Jos%C3%A9-BluffTitler.mp4?raw=1

Hi,

First thing I want to do is express my gratitude for all the support to all of you. Thank you very much !!!

The first option would be BluffTitler. Both John CB and Terrypin mention a "steep learning curve, " and my question is if that is for making one´s own not using the templates, right? Also I would like to know which version you recommend to start with. Is the easy one too limited ? And which version you used to make the examples Terry? I must mention here that I am utterly impressed by them and in my opinion if I were able to produce something similar, it would suffice and meeet my expectations. Also an explanation or any comment you might have would be appreciated.

As to the Blender , John EB, is it too difficult to master it at least to a passable level. Please bear in mind that I do not have the skills that you young chaps have. I will be 77 in three months time and belong to a different era !!!

Best regards.

José Robles

Hi José,

"Both John CB and Terrypin mention a "steep learning curve, " and my question is if that is for making one´s own not using the templates, right?"

I've not tried any of OuterSpace's BixPacks myself in BluffTitler but the answer is broadly Yes. At the very simplest level you could load a template, enter your own text and you'd get a 'show' looking like the advert. Small changes, such as in colour, would be relatively easy. Not much more and, yes, be prepared for a challenge.

But can you tell us what your objective is? Your initial post used the term 'logo'. To me that tends to imply a one-off design intended for frequent use. Particularly for business or professional puposes. These 'templates' have wider targets, as you see from sites like https://www.outerspace-software.com/bixpack/

As for version, assuming you really do want to take the step of buying BT for whatever purpose, I'd recommend you avoid any 'basic' offering.

Do you simply want a quick way to get personalised 'animations' for regular use in your MEP videos? Then maybe one or two of the 11 examples I made would suffice? Try cutting them into their individual clips and applying your own enhancements in MEP. Or if you need different text for a couple, let me know and I'll upload edited versions.

"you young chaps..."
Not me! You see my avatar - and I haven't changed it for a few years!

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Hi José

. . . . Young chaps . . . .

Not that young - not quite official retirement age yet - and I started learning Blender only 2 months ago!

I agree about learning curves with software, however once you get the basics it is having the time to play with them that is the key to getting somewhere with it.

John EB

Hi José,

I'm exactly 10 years behind you.

For BluffTitler, I suggest the Easy Edition to get started. You can always upgrade to the Pro or Ultimate version for the difference in price. OuterSpace makes upgrading easy. You can see the comparison on this page by scrolling down:

https://www.outerspace-software.com/editions

What you get are many sample Shows, with the extension .bt, that you can use for learning and modify to whatever you want (and save with a new name), and a series of lessons that you can follow through.

In the video below, I used a very simple particle effect sample Show, changed the image to be my logo, and used 2 different particle effects. This morphs into my logo made with Xara 3D Maker, with spinning text, using transition effects and size/position effects within Video Pro X (or MEP).

The BixPacks that Terry mentioned are interesting, but maybe too much. I have 5 of them and with a couple of exceptions, have not used them much. They are good to learn from, and if you see some effects that you like, you can delete the rest of the glitz and glam and add in your own. Or, you can simply change the text and pictures.

The photo of me below was taken in 2001 while suffering from lack of oxygen. You probably know where it was taken.

John CB

Hi Terry,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity of explaining my objective.

For the past 30 years, after I went on my own, I have been engaged in numerous personal endeavours with little success. Four years ago I closed a small shop where I remanufactured ink and laser cartridges because the aftermarket industry, as it is called, went down all over the world due to the fact that the Original Manufacturers placed all kinds of obstacles, mainly electronic, to prevent carts from being remanufactured. In this shop I also offered conversion of analogous recordings, both audio and video, to digital. My son did some video editing as well.

So I went home and started to work from it. I used word of mouth and also placed some ads on Facebook but this approach did not work either. The only option was then to place my ads on the web but this had to be done more professionally. So here I am with this task of first creating a Logo for my business and also a video with my services. While thinking ways of doing this, I also realized that if I could do this for me, I can do it for others. In my country 96% of companies are small and they  don´t have budgets for big Ad Agencies. All of them have internet access. So here is a big opportunity, I thought. I am sure competition is fierce but I have the advantage of knowing English and this certainly gives me edge when it comes to new developments.

I hope this answers your question. I will purchase Bluff Titler and as you all say learning comes with practising.

In case I need two more examples I will let you know. Thanks

Hi John EB,

Last night I downloaded Blender but was not able to import or open any files. Why is this? This afternoon I have also tried to do it but to no avail. Please give me a hand here so I might be able to progress a little. Thanks

Hi John CB,

Yes, I have been there, back in 64 when I was 23. The place is called Ticlio and is supposed to be the highest railroad point . That was when I first started dating my present wife and for some strange reason it occurred to me to drive her there. Big mistake, she got so sick I had to take her back immediately. !!!

I have viewed your video a couple of times. I thought of buying Xara´s 3D Maker , what do you think? Also your suggestion for Easy Edition, now that you know what am I aiming at, would it be adequate? With this edition do I get the sample shows you mention?

Finally in MEP 2017 Premium under Effects there is New Blue Titler Pro X. Can this be useful somewhat?

Thanks

José Robles

Hi José

. . . . Last night I downloaded Blender but was not able to import or open any files. Why is this? This afternoon I have also tried to do it but to no avail. Please give me a hand here so I might be able to progress a little. Thanks . . . .

Blender is a 'ground up' animation software where you create everything, and has a steep learning curve with some peculiarities in the way it works. There are many tutorials in Youtube about using Blender. The best ones I have found are by Blender Guru though they tend to a little quick to follow. If you want to go down this route I would recommend you look at the Beginners series. The donut creation is a good example which can be transferred to creating a logo.

HTH

John EB

Hi José,

Thanks for indicating the location. About a year ago, I was trying to retrace where we went by looking at my pictures. I think that I found almost everything, wrote nothing down, at least I can't find anything, and have to start again. Part way up, we stopped in a village for maté, and I have to find the name of the village again. I was glad I was not driving over that pass.

Just try installing the trial version of Xara 3D Maker, then open one of the 3D Animation Basic titles in MEP to see if it opens in 3D Maker right from MEP. Then you can learn how it works. In VPX, I open any 3D title to get into the interface, then completely change everything. It is not a 3D modeler, it just extrudes text and vector objects. My logo was made in Xara as a 2D shape with a hole in it. I copied and pasted it into 3D Maker, and added effects, like extrusion, beveling, colouring - face and sides, etc.

You should determine if you want a 2D or 3D logo, A perspective would be 2D. Use 3D if you want to be able to rotate it in 3D space. For this, Blender would be the best. Otherwise, just draw a logo in Xara or some other vector drawing program.

For BluffTitler, as far as I know, everything that I mentioned comes with all versions. The packs are purchased separately. Most of what is in a pack uses the features and elements that come with the program. It's just that someone spent a long time putting together the Shows and they charge you for that.

Once that you are somewhat familiar with how the tool works, you can purchase one of the packs that interests you the most. Then you can look to see how they constructed each Show. Just do not pay full price for a pack. They usually offer discount and have sales once in a while.

If you have New Blue Titler Pro, then you have much more than I, with only EX. Take a look at the New Blue tutorials and videos to see what you can do. Look at Help, About in Titler. What version do you have? I have 1.0 Build 150807.

John CB

Hi José,

I spent several hours with BluffTitler yesterday, learning, and trying to modify an existing Show slightly. My wife wanted the stars that drop down at the end to be Christmas decoration balls. I spent 4 hours trying to figure out how OuterSpace created these balls in another Show, and finally figured out how to just make a simple modification to get a similar effect. The balls are small, so I didn't need the fancy stuff on them. The 6 second show is at the beginning of this video. I'm not particularly proud of this one, but for the number of times that myself, my wife and our friends will view it, that is enough. Thanks to Terry for helping me sort out the gps points.

About the BixPacks, other than the prepared Shows, there are Models and some other files that come with some of them that are not with the stuff that comes with the main program. They have a 3D program called Bixangelo that can be used to make some 3D models or 3D lines that get exported to an eps format. I have it, used it once so far. Still learning.

John CB

Nice one, John! Pleased to see you made an appearance yourself. I assume that was the add-on you mentioned?

Mais où était Bernadette?

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Hi Terry,

Bernadette doesn't ski. Yes, I filmed that in the back yard. I added some trees. I wanted to hide the fence more, but it was too much effort masking my movements in Xara. I should have used the green screen. That reminds me, I still haven't removed the price sticker from my new skis.

As you can tell, I didn't take many photos/videos and my cell phone switched off part way through, which was why I was missing a section of the gps points. I should have carried the LGG4 cell phone to take photos and video. I should get one of those small action cameras.

John CB

Hi John CB.

Sorry for not answering sooner. I am having trouble with MEP crashing when I try to change from Effects to Importing files. Also my pc has been having issues. Very slow everything even when starting. Had to call tech friend of mine and apparently´there is nothing wrong.

I have yet to review all the information you have given me. Just worth mentioning that I spend many hours trying to figure out things. I haved saved many of your tutorials and also have made a list of all the others of interest that I usually refer to for consultation.

Next thing I ´ll do is download trial version of Xara 3D Maker, and buy Easy version of BluffTitler. That´ll keep me busy for some time.

Thank you again

José Robles

Hi John CB,.

Forgot to mention that the NB Titler Pro Express version I have is 160908 and it lets me extrude, bevel . Is this similar to what Xara 3D Maker does?. MEP 2017 Premium version is 16.0.1.22. I know there are newer versions but when I tried to upgrade I had all kinds of problems, mainly Pixelan´s Spice Master not showing in Transitions. Under Effects I also have NB Elements, Filters and Stylizers and Pixelan Creativease, and Red Giant Universe.

José Robles

Hi José,

The NB Titler effects are similar, except that there is more control and features with 3D Maker. I don't know what the limites are with Titler EX, but it seems quite limited.

There was a problem with one of the newer versions/updates of MEP with external fades, like Pixelan not showing up. That has since been resolved. The Pixelan transitions, SpiceMaster and the others show un under Templates, Transitions, Additional Fades.

About using 3D Maker with MEP, open one of the title templates under 3D Animation Basic. If you have installed the trial version of 3D Maker, instead of just being able to change the text, the 3D Maker interface will open. It may be that this will continue working even beyond the trial period. Try it to see.

John CB

Hi José,

Just saw this tutorial on Blender for absolute beginners in my subscriptions, haven't watched it yet. You may find it interesting.

John CB

Hi John CB,

I have been away yesterday and today doing some work. Just saw your post. I wached the whole tutorial and it lasts 27 minutes. What I usually do with tutorials is stop it , take some notes, and start it again and then try to replicate it. This is a very long process but it works, especially understanding not only how it is done but why. There are so many steps in this tutorial that it is going to take me a very long time to process it.

On the other hand I am confident that with all the help you guys have given me I am on the right track.

Thanks and all the best

José Robles

Hi John CB,

Glad to have followed the advise given by Terry and you. Thank you very much to all of you. I did install 3D Maker and it works as you indicated. Yesterday I installed Bluff Titler and have spent all day long and half day today to explore it. At first sight it appears friendly but it is also tricky.

You mention above the Chroma Key effect. I have tried to see how it is applied but have not been able to understand how it works. I even asked this gentleman, Michiel to show me but he only directed me to a site in the Community where it only shows the result not how it is done. So would you please give me some help here. Specifically how to change the background to green to an imported image and if BT allows me to place that image onto a different background.

All the best,

José Robles

Hi José,

"You mention above the Chroma Key effect."

I assume you mean this part of John's post a month ago in this long thread:
"You can give the background a green colour to be able to use Chromakey in MEP."

"I have tried to see how it is applied but have not been able to understand how it works.I even asked this gentleman, Michiel to show me but he only directed me to a site in the Community where it only shows the result not how it is done."

Where did you raise the question with Michiel, as I couldn't see a post from you in the Bluff Titler forum? I'm not really comfortable responding to BT 'how to' questions in this Magix MEP forum, but the answer is simply FILE > Set background colour...

Coming back to Magix territory, what is your specific objective? What do you want to achieve by changing the background from default black to green?

Consider the 11 BT demos I prepared for you a month ago.

Two have a uniform background (black) so you could apply black chroma key in MEP to make them transparent over your MEP background video or image, depending on colour content of both your BT export and your MEP main content. Have you tried that with any of the 11 clips? And all of them could be resized for 'Picture-In-Picture' mode, probably in a suitable rectangular frame. Good chroma key results benefit from trial/error, including sometimes adjusting the default results with the two sliders, 'Threshold' and 'Fading Range'.

In short, the devil is in the details, as usual.