Using the Rule of Thirds (the “Golden Mean”) in Animation & Video Production is one of the most traditional rules of composition. It gives an artistic understanding of how to position subjects in the frame in a way that is most visually compelling. Placing your subject in the dead center of the frame; makes for a static or dull image.

Using the Rule of Thirds by dividing the frame into 3 sections side to side, top to bottom. Note that it’s not the nine zones that are important, instead points of interest should be placed at 1/3 or 2/3 of the way up or across the frame rather than in the center. Balance the image by placing the subject on one of the lines; and you can get a much more interesting image. Note that you do not need to follow it exactly, it only advises you where to place important action. In my example above from one of my 2D animations I have placed the eyes / head of the character at the upper 3rd.

I have created a Photoshop .PSD “Rule of Thirds” file for you to download and import into After Effects or Photoshop and use as your composition top layer. Compatible with CS6.

Download: The_Rule_of_Thirds.psd

I hope you will have use of this file!

I use it in all my projects. Feel free to link to this page and tweet.

Cheers

Anders
http://sundstedt.se

My 3rd sketch done on my iPad. Starting to like this gadget ;-) twitter.com/AfterEffectsAr…

— After Effects Artist (@AfterEffectsArt) May 5, 2012

Today I purchased Adobe Ideas for the iPad and will be trying this out for creating designs for future animation projects. I like the fact it’s got layers and pen size and opacity, but most of all that it’s vector based. Here is my very first quick sketch for trying out the app.

I’m happy to announce that my new 2D animation ‘How To Become An Early Riser’ has been featured on animationsoup.net

By: Anders Sundstedt 2012.
Based on original script by ajk48n in 2008.

I have been carrying out some basic rendering time tests for final output render time in AE CS 5.5.

These quick tests were done for a simple 2D type animation, using motion blur, 3D enabled layers, High res .PSD image files (1200 dpi) layers and a comp size of 1080p and 24 fps.
Output format: QuickTime .H264, uncompressed audio, scaled to 720p. OpenGL rendering OFF.

Here are the results. As you can see, the optimal settings in red for this system setup seems to be using 2 CPUs reserved for other apps, 1.5 GB RAM allocated per background CPU.

System details: i7 CPU – 930 @ 2.8 GHz, 64-bit Win 7 Professional. 12.0 GB RAM.

Please note that these are estimates only, since I did not do a complete render of each setting. Best settings can vary for your system and the type of project.

Next, for example, if I wanted to delete a folder named Folder on my desktop, I would type this command below.

Code:

RD /S /Q "C:\Users\UserName\Desktop\Folder"

To delete a user fold called Bert, I would type:

RD /S /Q "C:\Users\Bert"

About me:

- Can handle multiple projects, using existing assets provided or created myself from scratch.
- Great communication skills working remote with clients.
- Can create storyboard based on client script/VO or I can work from an existing storyboard.
- Know timing, making video SNAPPY, telling a story & making the video FUN to watch.
- Create animated videos, how to videos, infographics, product, idea, service or startup.
- Can do different STYLES, including cartoon, stick figure, motion graphics and vector.
- My rates are variable depending on the complexity of what you want and your budget.
- Can work short term on site if required (expenses paid) but prefer off site work.
- FAST and skilled in Adobe After Effects, Photoshop and 3D software.
- Experienced with 8 years of industry experience.