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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Sub window off screen when using dual monitors - no task bar icon.

Just a tip I had to share. Ok so you are taking your computer somewhere else and you unplug one of your dual monitors. When you arrive you set up your computer with only one monitor and start using programs only to find that a SUB Window is open ON the monitor that is no longer attached. NOT only that but a sub window doesn't have a task bar icon so you can't select it.

This should fix it. Do your action to make the window active. In my case pressing the "render settings" button in Maya pulled up a sub window.

Now hold shift/windows key and then the numeric arrow left and right keys on your keyboard. It will instantly jump to your screen. Worked for me with a Maya sub window that didn't have a task bar icon.

Hope it helps you out!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Creating a Chromatic Aberration Effect in After Effects


To create this effect simply duplicate your video clip (or image) 3 times in your composition. Set them to the "Add" blending method. Add a "Levels - individual controls" effect to each of these layers.

1. Rename each duplicate. 'Blue', 'Red', and one 'Green'

2. Now for the layer named 'Green' open the Effects Controls for the 'Levels - individual controls' on the effect you just added. Open the Blue and Red drop down settings and put '0' in the Blue and Red 'Output white" settings.

3. Now for you layer named 'Blue' Open the Green and Red drop down settings and put '0' in the Green and Red 'Output white" settings.

4. Now for you layer named 'Red' Open the Green and Blue drop down settings and put '0' in the Green and Blue 'Output white" settings.

This should give you three layers with different hues, one Red, Blue and Green. Now just shift the top layer and you will begin to get the fringing effect. You can blur these layers or move them in any way you wish. Have fun!