Animation Nodes for Blender 2.8x/2.9x

Animation Nodes is an awesome free Add-On for the great 3D software Blender and was created by Jacques Lucke.

I used to publish my own builds for B2.8x here but as of October 2019 I don’t see the need any longer since there are current builds (even with extra nodes!) for Blender 2.8x/2.9x available at GraphicAll

Camera Culling with Geometry Nodes

In this tutorial we use the Raycast node in Geometry Nodes for culling instances outside the camera’s view!

Discoballify & Keycapify Anything

In Video 1 we use “Instant Meshes” to create the perfect topology for “discoballification” of any object. 

In Video 2 we create keycap art based on the mesh of the 1st video using Animation Nodes.

Geometry Nodes Donut

Let’s create a delicious donut but only use Geometry Nodes and other modifiers!

Part 1 … https://youtu.be/u_zoBEpZMAo

Part 2 … https://youtu.be/fyR_3v8ph4I

Part 3 … https://youtu.be/HEJU0b7rFJI

Art Directed Ambient Occlusion

powered by Geometry Nodes

See/Render Geometry Nodes Attributes

“Normals” Attribute in Geometry Nodes

and how I made some sparkly sequins animations

Array Modifier GOOD for Geometry Nodes

Geometry Nodes + Animation Nodes

… and why the Array Modifier is (sometimes) bad 😉

Geometry Nodes: A 1st Look (2 Videos)

Introduction to GN & Point Distribution: https://youtu.be/JvBTxd2rRgk

Attribute Workflow: https://youtu.be/DTsEiCfrbXo

Making a Dyson Air Multiplier AM07 Tower Fan

with

Non-Destructive Modeling in Blender 3D

Part 1 – Base Top: https://youtu.be/ivnekkGrISg
Part 2 – Base Stand: https://youtu.be/_JMtJJW5meg
Part 3 – Base Motor: https://youtu.be/5mrZSBB4cAg
Part 4 – Wing: https://youtu.be/5Us7bAGnO5s

TL;DR – https://youtu.be/5lzY3JsiDq0

ACTION!

Let’s take a quick look at “Actions” in Animation Nodes: An easy way to copy keyframed animations of other objects, follow splines, add random motion and more!

Particle Nodes: First Look & Thoughts

The “New Particle Systems” of the “Everything Nodes” development are finally starting to appear in Blender 2.91 and I am taking a first look and have some thoughts about it…

Visualize Real-World JSON Data

3D Charts / Graphs from JSON data in Blender & Animation Nodes

Disgusting Animation Nodes

Intestine, Bowel, Gut, Alien, Tentacles

MORE Nondestructive Modeling

Create mechanical parts with a minimum of mesh

Introduction to Animation Nodes

Tutorial Series for AN Beginners

01 How & Why … https://youtu.be/FBGzZuQaQVs
02 Node Trees … https://youtu.be/4adXZsNRh1w
03 Data Types … https://youtu.be/CgJpKUqQ4q0
04 Inputs to Outputs … https://youtu.be/dO728H3FqA4
05 Object Instancer … https://youtu.be/lD3xzT2Zy9s
06 Falloff … https://youtu.be/bVj0OlCldUU
07 Animate … https://youtu.be/w6vJsUhsoaA
08 Mesh & UVs … https://youtu.be/GUoNy6Z5qE0
09 Groups & Loops … https://youtu.be/YJ5ksvlTKUM
10 Materials … https://youtu.be/WTcfbJykDFk

Find Shortest Path

Animation Nodes Tutorial

Practical Cloth Sims

Intro: https://youtu.be/-Ci5Pdh6an0
Part 1: Cloth Sims 101 https://youtu.be/gDZ1jISqMNI
Part 2: Pressure 1 https://youtu.be/n2HAXlK6sXE
Part 3: Pressure 2 https://youtu.be/QxQ1GIGwslk
Part 4: SkyDancer https://youtu.be/d-bCEFgtU0Y
Part 5: Clothing https://youtu.be/QRMwV7RAxzo

Bullet Time Effect

In this video I’ll show you how to quickly and easily create a camera fly-around which – since the first Matrix movie came out – is also known as a “bullet time effect”!

Particles Emitting Particles Emitting Particles…

In this video I will show you 

• how to emit particles from particles … from particles … from particles
• how to change the material based on the age of a particle
• how to have particles follow a smoke simulation
• and how to have certain particles only be affected by certain force fields

Logo to Stained Glass Window/Mosaic

TLDR: https://youtu.be/Tp_wGAX75qQ

Full Tutorial: https://youtu.be/fxODjPnJbs4

How to make SNOW FLAKES

and other Fractals in Blender

TLDR (60 seconds): https://youtu.be/R2MQc7kg1Hk

Full Tutorial: https://youtu.be/rcLd_hBKGAE

Animation Nodes for SCI-FI HUDs/UIs

In this tutorial series you will learn how to build REUSABLE subprograms in Animation Nodes and create cool SCI-FI HUDs!

• Part 1: https://youtu.be/hkE39HN1_Vw
• Part 2: https://youtu.be/Im_NRTg7VNs
• Part 3: https://youtu.be/eAoTeGd7mlk
• Part 4: https://youtu.be/NEiHo6fEEiY

Thor Ragnarok Bifrost Bridge 

EEVEE Material in Blender 2.8

Free Video Tutorial

Beam Me Up!

Animation Nodes + EEVEE in Blender 2.8x

Free Video Tutorial

Samsung Note 10+ Aura Glow

EEVEE Procedural Material Study
Blender 2.8x

Huawei P6 Brushed Metal

EEVEE Procedural Material Study
Blender 2.8x

Sci-Fi Body Scanner Effect

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

Procedural Material Study: Redmi K20 Pro

Advanced, 100% procedural EEVEE Material

Infinite Particles Loop (“Plexus Effect”)

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

Sci-Fi Laser 3D Printer Effect

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

00:22 … 3D Print
04:40 … Random points on printed surface
09:00 … Lasers (Animation Nodes)

Single Axis SubDiv

Parametric Non-Destructive Modeling

3 more tips for modeling the camera lens of the previous videos including using a Bevel modifier to create parametric subdivisions on 1 axis only.

Slow AutoFocus with Animation Nodes

Simulating a slow manual focus pull or laggy continuous auto-focus using the free add-on Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 (EEVEE and Cycles)

Parametric Non-Destructive Modeling Practice

In these 2 videos we discover how we can use modifiers in Blender to create – and later modify – objects in a non-destructive way to create a product visualization of a camera lens.

Part 1: https://youtu.be/v9CXeprYW1M
Part 2: https://youtu.be/YclX1A9bkEE

Product Visualization in Blender 3D

3. Parenting, Instancing, Arrays & Variations

This video is about some “technical” stuff in blender – useful (not only) for product visualizations!

• Parenting – how and why
• “Transform Modifier”
• Instancing using Empties
• Array Modifier + Instancer Mesh
• Random Variations using Animation Nodes

Product Visualization in Blender 3D

2. Plastics

We look at how to create a clear plastic that doesn’t darken objects behind it,  play with SSS (Sub-Surface Scattering) and use per-material AO (Ambient Occlusion) to bring back some contrast for a more pleasing final product presentation!

Product Visualization in Blender 3D

1. Lighting

In this first video of the series we take a look at how to quickly and easily improve lighting for product shots by creating highlights and shadows to show shapes, surfaces and materials and how to create a nice, seamless surface for the product to sit on.

EEVEE Reflection Catcher

Based on the concept from the last video we create a “reflection catcher” for EEVEE.

Tags: Blender 2.8 EEVEE, Reflection Plane Probe, Compositor

Improved Reflection Catcher in Blender Cycles

In this tutorial I show you how you a few tricks how to create a really nice looking “reflection catcher” for Blender Cycles!

Bonus Tip @ 33:22 … How to remove HDRI reflections from a ground plane while keeping them on the main subject

Watercolor Effect + Ink Outlines in Blender 2.8

 In this 2-part tutorial series I show you

1. how to create a simple, reusable Toon-Shader
2. how to create interesting black ink outlines using the built-in “Fresstyle” feature
3. how to use the compositor to create a watercolor effect, put everything together and make it look like a painting on paper

Part 1: https://youtu.be/Hlw6qyyNkfw

Part 2: https://youtu.be/vQH8Q-adE4c

Blender 2.8 – Answering Community Questions

00:30 … Fixing Crashes in Blender + Animation Nodes
06:30 … AN for Blender 2.8
07:16 … Hardware
08:52 … Smooth Shrinkwrapping
13:39 … 3D Handwriting/Drawing Effect
14:24 … Change Color, Alpha and Size of Particles over their lifetime

3D Handwriting/Drawing Animation

Some of my subscribers have asked how I have made my Logo Signature Intro that I have used in all of my latest videos.

In this tutorial I show you step by step how it’s done.

Level: BEGINNER

Rotating Multiple Objects on their Normals

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

00:30 … What’s the problem?
01:56 … “Direction to Rotation”
08:56 … Putting it all together
23:10 … Examples

Remove Unwanted Reflections

in Blender Cycles

In this tutorial I show you how to remove specific reflections from certain surfaces while keeping perfectly placed highlights exactly where you want them … perfect for Product Visualization! (Shadow and Reflection Catcher)

3D Animated Halftone w/ Colors

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

Adding color to the photo halftone effect from the previous video!

You should watch the “3D Animated Halftone Photo” video first 😉

3D Animated Halftone Photo

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

In this video tutorial I show you how to use Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 to create a Photo Halftone Effect in 3 dimensions.

Check out the next video on how to add colors!

More Fun with Audio

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

Taking the “memory” concept from the last video to the next level to visualize music in 3D

Audio + Peak-Meter

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

In this tutorial video we create an animated audio-spectrum visualization using Animation Nodes and add cool peak-level markers!

Flying Letters

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

Motion graphics (mograph) e.g. for a logo signature animation of movie production company.

Making Waves with Math

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

In this Animation Nodes video tutorial you will learn how to move objects based on very simple mathematical functions.

EEVEE Shadow Catcher Hack QuickTip

This is a quick tutorial on how to fake a “shadow catcher” in EEVEE.

High Voltage

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

Here we use Animation Nodes to create curves and randomly displace their control points for a lightning/spark effect.

Wiggle It

Animation Nodes in Blender 2.8 Tutorial

This video is the start of my Animation Nodes tutorial series for Blender 2.8.

In this first part I show you how to install and set up AN and then use some very simple but effective nodes to randomly move a bunch of Meta-Balls around for an interesting effect.

Render Multiple Cameras

to Various Image Resolutions

In this video I am going to show you how you can automatically render multiple cameras – even with different backgrounds and various lighting setups – to separate files with varying resolutions! 

Silver Gold Platinum Pewter Material Pack

for Blender 2.8 EEVEE + Cycles

 In this video I show you all the features and how to get the most out of this shader pack.

Materials available at: blendermarket.com

Copper Material Pack

for Blender 2.8 EEVEE + Cycles

In this video I show you all the features and how to get the most out of this shader.

Material available at: blendermarket.com

Volumetric Logo Animation with EEVEE

In this video I create a logo animation with interesting volumetrics and a cool looking lens flare in Blender 2.8 EEVEE

Practical UV-Mapping

“How to put labels/stickers/bumps on hard surface models”

In my last video I showed you a timelapse and some tips on hard surface modelling.
I got several requests on Youtube and in various Facebook groups about “how do you do UV mapping and create all the labels by hand?”

So in this video I will show you that process.

Blender Hard Surface Modeling

Tips, Tricks and Time-Lapse

In this video I take you along my journey of creating a detailed model of a ZOOM H4n Pro Audio recorder.

I show you some time-lapse recordings of the ~30 hours of work plus many useful tips and tricks along the way!

Quick Tip Tutorials  &  First Looks at EEVEE