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OMG, … why?
It’s just a UI cover.
In the background the entire extension still creates a layer based AE project.
As I understand, every merge node is a precomp, every fx node is a precomp.
The guy made a composition of 2 layers, at the same time creating 10 precomps!
Not sure if dev knows it, but every precomp takes up memory.
If you use a lot of precomps, sure the project may look tidier, but it also takes more memory and is slower to render.
Now normally it’s not an issue, nobody cares if you create 3 or 5 more precomps than you actually need, but with this extension you’ll quickly get hundreds more precomps than required!
So now we have a node mode that is very simplistic, requires you to go back to the old tools every 15 seconds, and as a bonus, your projects render slower.
That is if they render at all – I’m now working on a shot that has a lot of layers on it, quite a lot of precomps already – by my rough estimate this extension would add over a thousand (!) precomps to my project – not a great plan.
I just don’t get it.
Why?
AE is a layer based program – that is its biggest advantage.
If you want nodes so bad, why are you using AE??? Use Fusion, Natron or Nuke – they are all pretty awesome – the biggest obstacle in switching to them is you have to learn to work with nodes, but this extension is for people who already know how to do it so again, why work in AE at all???
Because there is always someone that wants a sink faucet to work like a fire hydrant and vice versa. Compositing simple things or a lot of things fast is where AE shines, nuke shines when you go above a certain number of layers and nodes pull ahead. Yet people differ wildly on where and how the transition between software should be handled. That is why there are thousands of programming languages someone always has a “better” way of doing the same tasks, or simply just organizing them.
Same thoughts. This thing makes nothing faster, just more complicated :/
Hi kaczorefx,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
It is like throwing a bridge between 2 worlds, and no other software is capable of doing that.
@hollywood illusion
a) copy all you’ve stated
b) AE and “layer” minded folks will hardly encompass the node based workflow. Especially when it comes to some level of complexity
c) node minded folks will love using “effects” provided by AE universe. Here the market shines with extensions and presets etc.. in respect to fusion or nuke.
I only wonder how much license fees you’ll have to include into your pricing…
2. True, but there is one problem. If we work with your Magic Nodes extension, and build up a project with it, the level of complexity of the precomps tree skyrockets. At this point there is no coming back to a layer based workflow (on that given project). You’ll never be able to find any layer or an effect that is 20-30 precomps deep. Once you start using nodes on a project, you can’t go back. And since it’s an extension not a built in feature, that means if you hand over a project like that to someone that does not have the extension he’s pretty much screwed.
That said, I’m beginning to see a potential use for this. Not for creating a project, but for managing an already existing one.
Does this extension save something with the scene to recreate the node tree on the next run or can it build the project node tree on the fly based on comps and precomps used in the project?
Basicaly the built in AE Flowchart but with an actual ability to connect stuff in it. Never understood why the Flowchart was there, and it does the node tree layout for the project surprisingly well, but the only thing you can do is look at it, no touchy, just look 🙂
Hi kaczorefx, sorry for the late answer. I just wanted to say that I’ve reworked the core of my extension to avoid the creation of precompositions. There won’t be any precomp created in Magic Nodes, just layers! So no worries now concerning render times/memory usage or project complexity. I will post a video soon on my channel but thanks for your feedback 🙂
Regarding your second question, yes my extension saves all the node graph information with the scene. So when you load a project created with Magic Nodes, it will also load the corresponding graph !
Hi, I saw your trailer for the updated workflow without pre-comps. and that generated another type of problem. As you use the custom plugin for merging (although that it’s free, as you mentioned) you can’t freely rely on native After Effects anymore. and if some new version would appear you can’t be sure that the plugin would still work… And if you’d have to hand the project to someone, he must have that plugin installed too
Yeah, but what would be the alternative in your opinion? Less overhead and a free plugin seem like a good solution. Maybe it helps Adobe to take some notes on workflow alternatives…
I have been waiting for this my whole career!, I have to learn Nuke because AE is inefficient with very complex compositing scenes. Don’t get me wrong, you can do a lot with AE, and is a very powerful soft, but once you get in 3D compositing with live plates and several precomps a Node System is a way to go.
Looking forward to hearing about the price and availability. If you need a beta-tester with 15+ years of experience in motion and vfx just let me know.
Also never hurt to have an IG and Twitter account on your web to keep us informed.
I’ve been workin in AE and 3D softwares for about 14 years. When nodes were implemented into 3D, at start I was reluctant, but over time I had to admit it increases productivity and practicity by a lot. I think this extension will be a great tool, and I have no doubt I will adopt it.