3d text

Is there an easy way to create 3d text in FCPX? I know there is a plug in on the free plug ins page here but it is takes a long time to render and makes my machine work like molasess in june! (2011 iMac 16gb RAM) any thoughts? or know paid plug ins? Thanks in advance.

To be honest, if you want the best result you want to use a 3D program.
There are a couple free programs on Mac and Windows.

what are some of the names if you don't mind? Thanks

Very easy with a replicator. I do it all the time in Motion. But it does depend on how extensive and detailed you need it. There is one that was THE big thing for Final Cut legacy users. Did 3D text, make flat logos 3D, can't remember the name. It was pretty awesome, though. Damn, just can't remember the freakin' name!

So I guess this leads to my next thing Ben. I have Motion, Compressor and FCPX. I avoid Motion and Compressor like the plague as I never learned how to use them. I export my videos using compressor setting through FCPX but never in the actual compressor app. I saw the link to the FCPX "boot camp" and I appreciate it. Is there a "soup to nuts" learning tutorial on motion? Not a monthly subscription thing but like a one time fee to take a class or something? I would love t learn motion. I have used it a couple times to make little short intros but never put a whole project in there to add text from motion so I am limited to what I can do with text in FCPX. Thanks Ben, you have been a great help to me on here.

Check out the Rippletraining Series: www.rippletraining.com/categories/apple-...ion-5-tutorials.html

Yikes! Learn some Motion (or After Effects) stat!

The guys at Ripple Training have some good Motion training - probably the most comprehensive stuff out there. Lynda.com also has some useful Motion 5 training that you can get via a DVD or you can go the subscription route.

A nice 'cookbook' for Motion is Patrick Sheffield's "How to Cheat In Motion". It was written for use with Motion 4 but it translates over to Motion 5 pretty well.

As for free 3D software, Blender is the one I'd suggest. Powerful, versatile and free. There are a ton of tutorials out there for learning how to use Blender. Not quite as many on how to integrate and composite 3D elements into Motion, but its something you can find if you dig for it.

Photoshop can also do some 3D text as well. I've never used it, but I know it can be done.

If you're going to use 3D text a lot, I'd suggest spending some time learning Blender.

Ripple Training and macProVideo (you can purchase for download and not subscribe) both have great basci Motion training video courses, as well as great advanced training videos.

You must do a course to learn apps, or you won't know them, you won't work efficiently, you'll waste time, and run into all sorts of unnecessary road blocks. Learning apps "properly" is part of this business. Make the time, buy the training, do it, start producing.

Also the "How To Cheat At Motion" book is awesome. And applies to Motion 5, too. Glad that book got mentioned. But I'd still strongly recommend doing proper basic training first.

I can only vouch for what Ben is saying. I was a "self learned" FCS user. It was absolutely inefficient, and only got better when I bought, read and practiced the Apple Training books. With X, I rely completely on Rippletraining (sorry, Ben - but I got at least the CSS training from macprovideo). It'd even better if you took a class at a local college or something.

Yes Blender might be your best choice if 3D is required and your budget is very minimum.
www.blender.org/education-help/tutorials/

awesome guys. Thanks for the info. I was doing all my filming on a flip camera and editing in iMovie last year so it is just time for me to get serious. I have FCPX, Motion, Compressor and a DSLR now so I will be moving up in training slowly. Seems like ripple is the common denominator for this stuff. Thanks everyone for all of this info. I also will be checking out blender.

Okay, I'd suggest also checking out something like Photoshop or Pixelmator or GIMP to add to your arsenal. There's a lot you can do with Motion (a lot!) but sometimes its easier and faster to whip up an element/title/graphic in an image editor. GIMP is free, Photoshop is not but it can do just about anything under the sun (including 3D Text) and Pixelmator is fast, cheap and runs pretty lean (my only grip is that it doesn't support alpha on export).

I get alpha on export with Pixelmator just fine. I create PNG's with alpha in them almost daily. I also find it easier and quicker to learn and use than PS.

I'm seeing pixelmator in the app store for $14.99......should I pick this up? I have photo shop but have never learned how to properly use it......I guess I should do that as well. But as far as ease of use is pixelmator worth the 15 buck? Thanks

Definitely. For light Photoshop work it is very good. It has some advanced tools too so you can do deeper work as you learn. It's definitely worth a try.

awesome thanks, i will try it out.

I've had Pixelmator for almost a year now. I've not touched Photoshop in all that time.

I would learn Photoshop, it is the App in its area.