Introducing a new script that creates an AE camera that not only has handheld motion, but can be easily adjusted to mimic a variety of camera motion effects like running, being on a gravel road or even being intoxicated to name a few.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 06/24/10 - CS5 NOTE: Handheld Camera is currently NOT CS5 compatible as is, but there is a fix that you can use until I finish with the version 2 (Hopefully soon. This should help in the meantime, I’m working as fast as I can.). Just click the “DOWNLOAD CS5 FIX” below for the fix. Use this file instead of the original included “HandheldCamera.xml”. Adobe had changed the way Custom Preset Effects are read in CS5.
The tutorials have been split into two major segments, “How To Install - Handheld Camera” covers the installation of this filter/script. It is very important that you view and follow this process before attempting to use the script. The other tutorial “How To Use The Script” helps you understand how the effect works and how it can be adjusted as well as some of it’s quirks you will run into.
I want extend a special thanks to the following individuals that gave input and help during the creation of this script.
Download links do not work… getting file not found.
Posted by Bobby on 10/01 at 07:45 AM
Looks cool- I can’t seem to get the links working though, responding 404.
Posted by Mike Greenberg on 10/01 at 07:56 AM
I have moved the download files to another location, it seems that the links were not connecting for some reason. You should be able to get the files now. Make sure that you right click and save the file to download it.
Posted by David Torno on 10/01 at 12:37 PM
Fun stuff.
Here are my results…
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=43947928
4 Pre-Comped Solids make up each of the structures you see, add some coloured lights(I stuck with red, green and blue) and a funky camera script and voila!
Thanks
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/03 at 11:04 AM
I try to change .XML and add the new info but at the moment that I try to save it, it says that adobe don´t allow me to make any changes to the documents, What can I do?? I am not runnig adobe at the moment of the changes and I am using windows vista!
Thanks!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/06 at 05:34 AM
Sounds like you need to change the read/write permissions so you can save it. Unfortunately I am unfamiliar with how to do this on PC. With a Mac you simply right click on the application icon and choose “Get Info”, then change the permissions to “Read & Write”, this will then allow you to save the file.
Posted by David Torno on 10/06 at 10:13 AM
@ David Torno! thanks it works!! I don´t know how I did not think about it!! THANKS!!
R.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/06 at 09:38 PM
Wonderful script. Thank-you so much. Is there any possibility that this is available for AE7. Feel free to tell me to take a long walk off a short…..Again, many thanks.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/14 at 11:35 PM
The script works in CS3 and CS4 as long as the separate XYZ isn’t on by default. I haven’t tested it on AE7, but I will look into it.
Posted by David Torno on 11/15 at 12:42 AM
That’s very generous of you. Thanks for your time to do that.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/15 at 08:23 PM
David,
I’ve double checked my code and it all seems to match yours, but I’m getting an AE error “Unable to execute script at line 69. After Effects error: Can not add a property with name “Handheld Camera” to this PropertyGroup.
Any ideas as to why this is happening? I’m using CS3 BTW.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/04 at 01:15 PM
Just curious if you modified the PresetEffects.xml file correctly. I got the same error when I first started creating the effect and it was because the code in the PresetEffects.xml was incorrect. Look there first for possible problems. Let me know.
Posted by David Torno on 12/04 at 01:22 PM
I just figured it out. I redid the code edit and then restarted After effects, now it works great.
Thank you!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/04 at 01:23 PM
Great! I hope you enjoy it.
Posted by David Torno on 12/04 at 01:34 PM
David,
I was wondering how I would stop the camera mid stream? I’m kind of new to expressions and what I’ve tried has been unsuccessful.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/08 at 08:23 AM
OK,
Once again, I spoke too soon. Figured it out. Thanks David!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/08 at 09:06 AM
hi there,
i have installed it. but i can’t find the tutorial for use.
is it on pages 2 or 3 above? if so i can’t play that QT.
is there anywhere i can download a movie or pdf describing its use?
cheers
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/13 at 08:17 AM
Unfortunately I only have the videos at the moment to explain how to use the script. Page 2 shows video of how to install it(similar to the pdf that comes with the download) and Page 3 shows how to use it. You might check and see if you have the latest Quicktime player from Apple. You may also try a different browser and see if that works as well. I’ve checked and the videos seem to load and play fine, so I know they are still there. I will try to do a PDF “How To” version when I get some free time, but that may be a little while.
Posted by David Torno on 05/13 at 10:59 AM
thanks so much for that speedy response.
yes, it’s a QT thing missing. unfortunatly i’m lumbered with high security at work, so i’m only allowed internet access on this one PC, which i cannot install anything on.
it’s a real pain.
i’ll have a word with IT and see if they’ll let me install a new QT.
thanks!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/14 at 02:35 AM
all sorted now. they’ve let me have the latest QT.
thanks again, and i look forward to checking out that tutorial.
i hear the script is fantastic 
cheers
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/14 at 04:02 AM
Hi,
I can’t seem to view the quicktime… I’m on the latest snow leopard OS. I’ve installed and tried dragging the camera plugin onto footage and onto a 3D camera but it doesn’t seem to do anything…
Is this tutorial on youtube or anywhere else?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 03/23 at 08:27 PM
i wan’t to know it this script work on after effects cs5, cause i install but it gave me a error like this: Unable to execute script at line 69. After Effects error: Cant not add a property with name “Handheld Camera” to this PropertyCroup.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 06/24 at 02:44 PM
Hi Frank, I just posted a fix for CS5 above. Hope this helps. Adobe had changed some things with CS5 and it broke some scripts.
Posted by David Torno on 06/24 at 05:20 PM
David Thank you Bro- excellent. i prove it ... so fine and easy….
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 06/24 at 05:32 PM
I followed your directions, was able to set it up and preview it, but when I render out a movie all I get is black frames
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/29 at 10:48 AM
@fredfredrickson Sounds like a possible video player, render codec issue or video is just alpha maybe. I would try a different codec or player and see if it still shows black frames. Also try bringing it back into After Effects and see if AE can read it.
Posted by David Torno on 04/29 at 11:07 AM
It is odd. I tried rendering with a different codec, same issue. When I bring the render back into AE, it says it’s trillions of colors! A clue perhaps?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/29 at 03:27 PM
“trillions of colors” would be 32Bit float. Not sure what would be causing it to show black frames. You might try asking around to video people in the Pro Video Coalition Forums.
http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/forums
Posted by David Torno on 04/29 at 03:55 PM
I figured it out. I went into my render setting and turned on preserve rgb color space and that fixed it.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/02 at 08:37 AM
