Download the completed project file from this tutorial.
For VJs and other visual performers, one of the biggest parts of the job is creating your own original materials for your shows. If you like the workflow of compositing layers, applying effects, and automating values found in VDMX, the interface of Apple Motion offers a similar approach for creating visuals with the intention of exporting as movie files, at an affordable price.
Last month we introduced ISF for Motion, a new plug-in that makes it possible to use the same GLSL shaders supported in VDMX as generators and effects inside of Motion and FCP X. This includes our 200+ standard set of assets, as well as all of the creations shared on https://www.interactiveshaderformat.com/
In this tutorial we will take a look at using these ISF generators and effects in Motion to create short video loops to use in VDMX or other VJ software.
Before beginning, make sure to install both Apple Motion and ISF for Motion from the Mac App Store.
Tip: Find more ISF for Motion tutorials here: https://isf.vidvox.net/tutorials/
Using Interactive GLSL Shaders in Motion
Apple Motion, like most visual creation tools, is very open ended – you start with a blank canvas to add your own ideas. Here are a few examples of videos we’ve made using ISF shaders in Motion for posting to our Instagram…
Screenshot of VDMX setup we will be using for inspiration
For this example loop we’ll be using a similar set of techniques discussed in the How to Create Minimalist Visuals in VDMX tutorial.
Looking at the screenshot of the project, note the particular generators and effects that are being used: Basic Shape with a Random Replicate, Random Lines with a Kaleidoscope, Lines with a Circular Screen + Radial Replicate, and a Conways Game of Life with a Shape Mask + Edges. Each of these ISF assets can be found in the Motion library, making it possible to easily translate our ideas between softwares. We don’t need to follow along with this exactly, but these may be some interesting things to try out, along with some of the other notes from the tutorial.
We start by launching Motion and setting the properties for our new project, such as the resolution and frame rate. Some of these options can be adjusted later on from the project settings panel if needed. Here we will aim to make a 10 second video clip at 4k resolution at 60 fps.
From our blank canvas we begin to recreate something similar to our VDMX setup, starting with an ISF generators, each on its own layer. Once those are added we can apply the filters to match, dragging each from the Library section of Motion to its appropriate layer. Next the parameters of individual generators and effects can be adjusted and animated.
After we are happy with the composition, it can be rendered as a movie. As we are to export pre-made movie files, there are two approaches we can take: We can create a single movie that includes all of the compositing, or export each of these layers as its own movie file, to be recombined in our VJ software. With Motion, we can experiment with both of these techniques.
To export the file, click on the “Share” icon and choose the export movie option. Under settings choose the ProRes 4444 to preserve our alpha channels. Once the render is completed we can use the free AVF Batch Exporter to re-encode the movies to HAP Alpha to use in VDMX. If uploading to the web or social media, you may want to use the h.264 codec instead.
Notes
Set the resolution, frame rate and duration for a new project.
Use the “Share” menu to export movies.
Disable the “opaque” setting when working with alpha channels.
ISF for Motion also works with FCP X.
If needed, use the free AVF Batch Exporter to re-encode the movies to HAP Alpha or other video codecs.
Load video loops into VDMX or other VJ software.