TUTORIAL: Universal Studios Intro HD

Files: ballyweg.net/un...
Easy tutorial on how to make your own Universal Studios styled intro. More below...
--- IMPORTANT ---
Note: Use Blender 2.65a!
There have been several issue with later versions and this tutorial.
download.blende...
Follow-up Fixes:
Audio stream error: • FIX: Blender Error ini...
Can't change frame number: • FIX: Can't change fram...
Here is explained how to make your own custom Universal Studio intro using only Blender 2.57a/b/2.58/a/2.59/2.6/2.61/2.62/2.63/2.63a/2.64/2.65/2.65a. It is very easy you just need to donwload the files at Link1 and download blender at Link2 and follow my instructions. If your good, it shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes. Have fun with it, and please link back to me if you post it.
If you have any questions, post it in the comments.
Watch in High Definition!
If you can't see the frame change toolbar, left click on the lower border of the timeline toolbar and drag down.
Link1: ballyweg.net/un... (needed template files)
Link2: www.blender.org/ (you'll need 2.65a)
Direct Link 2: download.blende...
Written instructions:
To Start, your mouse cursor should be in one of the upper windows (3D views). The "YOUR THEATER" text should be highlighted orange. The red & white cursor should be in the middle of the earth. Don't left click in these windows or you will move the cursor. If this happens, re-open the file and start over. Any 2.5x or 2.6x version should work.
• Press the TAB key to put the "YOUR THEATER" text into edit mode. Backspace it out and type in the name of your theater.
• Press the TAB key to exit edit mode. (You can do the same for the small subtitle, right click on it to select it, TAB, edit, TAB, reselect the upper title by rightclicking)
• Press Alt C, then left click on CURVE. (This converts the text to a curve).
• Press Alt C, then left click on MESH. (This converts the curve to a mesh).
• Press Ctrl Shift Alt C and click on Origin to 3D cursor.
• Change the frame number from 500 to 1.
• Drag the bar in the windows below to see the Shape Keys section.
• Click the Add Shape key (little + sign) twice.
• Make sure the mouse cursor is back in the top view and press TAB. (text goes black)
• Press A to select all (text should turn orange).
• Press Shift W to warp the text. The first letter should be right behind the globe.
• Left click to accept the warp.
• Press TAB to leave edit mode (text should straighten out).
• Back in the Shapes Tab, change the value from 0.00 to 1.00.
• Right click on that value and click on Insert Keyframe.
• Change the frame number from 1 to 180.
• In the Shapes Tab, right click on the Value saying 1.00 and select Insert Keyframe.
• Change the frame number from 180 to 270.
• In the Shapes Tab, change the value from 1.00 to 0.00.
• Right click on that value and click on Insert Keyframe.
• Click the little camera icon on the right to enter Scene mode.
• Click File, Save As, and save your project file.
• Choose your desired resolution (HDTV 1080p for best quality)
• Click Animation
• The file (.avi) is saved to the same folder, where you unzipped the original files.
STORY: This video was quite hard work. I had to change the blender file several times, because i noticed during recording, that there was an error. With a few technical problems (forgot to record the sound once, camstudio crashed once), this took quite long to make. I hope you enjoyed it.

[@TheMega671]

EXCELLENT TUTORIAL!!! It was concise, thorough, and best of all...BRIEF! No hiccups at all. Thank! It looks great!!!

[@joecoz26]

@Ballyweg thanks anyway I figured it out. 2.57a had some errors with editing texting it would crash for some mac users when trying to edit text so just installed 2.57b were they fixed the problem. Thanks for the the tut.

[@danielmoore3329]

I can't thank you enough Ballyweg! Worked like a charm! I will be using your other tutorials as well!

[@Ballyweg]

Daniel Moore :-)

[@Ballyweg]

@ufogib1 The .blend is the title, not the music. The music is embedded in the source footage. Just render in After Effects after checking Audio Output.

[@SXR123_YT]

after I converted it it won't let me play it or put it into windows movie maker

[@Ballyweg]

@DDOPFDSHOCKEY It's the tab with the red and white squared icon. Hover your mouse over it and it'll say Texture.

[@Ballyweg]

@dickie0212 Try moving you mouse to the edge of the toolbar that you have at that location. Then left click and drag down on that edge. The field should then appear.

[@Ballyweg]

@MrAwesomeTutz This is normal. The text does go back straight. Afterwards, you have to change the Key value to 1 and the warping will show up again.

[@Ballyweg]

@giboconnor The file that you edit in blender is rendered out when you press animation as a 0001.png image file. This one should be automatically recognized by After Effects when you open it.

[@Ballyweg]

@d6d2d6 Good to see you're helping. If there are any problems, let me know.

[@Ballyweg]

@TheShahroz12345 Strange. You can change any other windows to the timeline, change the frame number, and then change the window back to what it was.

[@Ballyweg]

@CocoaAnimation Ah, so you can't see the toolbar which you have to drag over later on? Just resize the entire toolbar, by moving your mouse over the top edge and dragging upwards.

[@Ballyweg]

@WorldWideGameReviews I am sorry, I don't really know what you mean. The file renders to the folder where you saved the .blend file in a subfolder called renders, after you click anim.

[@Ballyweg]

@taytotom83 If you can't see the frame change box, try dragging down on the edge, where it should be.

[@Ballyweg]

@SukriMedia Have you made sure you have 1) not left clicked on the graphics during the first few steps? 2) that your mouse is positioned in one of the upper views?

[@Ballyweg]

@jumpingcatfish You probably forgot to change the shape key value back to zero at frame 270 and/or to insert a keyframe at that point.

[@Ballyweg]

@Mario101Luigi Make sure your mouse pointer is in the upper panel (and don't forget the Tab and A keys before.

[@Ballyweg]

@luckypenny10 The flip was one of the compatibility issues between the old blender 2.49 and 2.57. Make sure you are using the correct version (and the correct files), this is most probably the error. If it still doesn't help, write me again.

[@Ballyweg]

Move your mouse over the edge below the 3D view and Left click and drag upwards.

[@Ballyweg]

@WOWexiro Try maximizing the blender window, try scrolling down (place the mouse over the gray area below and scroll down on the mouse wheel), or try hiding the windows taskbar (right click, properties), or try placing you mouse at the edge of the lower windows (an double-arrow mouse should appear) and then drag to make the lower area bigger.

[@Ballyweg]

@marvinevillanueva That is surely possible, but do you want it animated too (more complicated)?

[@Ballyweg]

@Andbott72 Make sure you download the right template file. The text should be below the globe (View -> Bottom)

[@Ballyweg]

Make sure you check "Load UI" under File -> Open. You can also try pulling down on the edge of where the frame number is supposed to be.

[@Ballyweg]

@kameli1998 That means you selected the earth. Right click the main title, if the earth gets selected, right click again till the title gets selected.

[@Ballyweg]

@eeslopeter Make sure, when you press Ctrl Shift Alt C, that your mouse is in the upper right 3D view and that that view is set to bottom view (View -> Bottom). Make sure Load UI is check under File -> Open.

[@Ballyweg]

@NWOAssassins I'll try to fix it in the weekend. Meanwhile, try changing the audio codec from AC3 to MP3.

[@LordKing13]

THANK YOU SO MUCH DUDE!!!!! you have a new subscriber!

[@Nesggy]

Hello there. I have created my own intro. I offer my service on Fiverr to create for you the best realistic intro. I deliver the work within a day or two. I had today a great feedback from a customer with a 5 star rating.

[@Ballyweg]

@sonicXrules123 Well, Windows Live Movie Maker supports many formats. But if it doesn't work, convert it to WMV. That is the windows movie format.

[@Ballyweg]

@CCXclan Middle toolbar on the left side. (you can see my cursor, which is highlighted red)

[@Ballyweg]

@SniperNikola The flip error is caused by not converting with Alt + C. Make sure your mouse is in the upper right window, when you do Alt + C.

[@Ballyweg]

@ufogib1 If you're using 64bit, then you'll need to render uncompressed and encode afterwards or use H.264 instead of AVI.

[@Ballyweg]

And you are the most kind person I have ever met.

[@Ballyweg]

@ViralTrending You mean, you don't see the tab to add shape keys? It's probably hidden on the sides of the window. Scroll right.

[@Ballyweg]

@boazz702 It looks like you might have forgotten to center the cursor, or you forgot something else in the tutorial, be sure to follow every single step.

[@Ballyweg]

@Powergirl5591 Well, with Vista, you can just download the new Windows LIVE Movie Maker, which supports the H.264 codec (the default "not-live" movie maker does not support these H.264 files)

[@Ballyweg]

Now tested working on blender 2.58!

[@Ballyweg]

@d6d2d6 So you're saying you can play the file, but you the earth is blanc? I have no idea what could be causing this.

[@Ballyweg]

@Ipodtouchappsrule Try clicking the little icon to the left of the upper right toolbar, then choose timeline. Then you should be able to change the frame like me in the video. (Don't forget to hit enter afterwards)

[@Ballyweg]

@Wazzuuup7 I would recommend converting the rendered video with XMedia Recode to WMV, then import the music and the converted video into the WIndows XP Movie Maker.

[@Ballyweg]

It's a change they made in Blender 2.66. Use Blender 2.65.

[@Ballyweg]

@CyberBullyingReport Near the top, where you can change the frame number, change the Start: and End: value to the same value (for your example 500 or 700). Then choose a Picture format in the Render Tab e.g. BMP or JPEG and click animation.

[@TrevorPerger]

Lionsgate would be the crazy/cool one to do for sure!

[@Ballyweg]

@CullenCrest1000 OK, so you are in object mode, you have selected the text and have converted it to a mesh, you see the Shape Keys section, you click on the plus sign, and no keys appear?

[@Ballyweg]

@MrPhilly215267 In the renders panel, expand the Output Tab. Choose (or leave it at) H.264.

[@Ballyweg]

@SniperNikola Anything should work. If not, convert it using Live Movie Maker or XMedia Recode.

[@Ballyweg]

This tutorial has been tested and working with Blender version 2.57b.

[@Ballyweg]

@loopy802gordito Remember selecting it using right click and make sure your mouse pointer is in the upper panel.

[@Ballyweg]

@MrPhilly215267 I have prepared the file to render in AVI/MPEG-4 H.264, with which you should be able to import it directly intro iMovie. If not, try to convert it using XMedia Recode or render it to MOV.

[@Ballyweg]

@kameli1998 Make sure you have selected the Main Title (right click) and make sure your mouse is in the editing area above.

[@Ballyweg]

@CocoaAnimation Did you add the shape keys by clicking the plus signs earlier?

[@Ballyweg]

@dirkules2008 You need to start with tab, then change it, and press alt+c after you´ve changed it.

[@Ballyweg]

@Powergirl5591 If you're still using the old XP version, you should convert the file to WMV first, using XMedia Recode.

[@Ballyweg]

@ViralTrending Ah, you must have selected the wrong text OR forgotten to Alt + C -> Mesh. Right click on your main title, the press Alt + C and click Mesh. That should do it.

[@Ballyweg]

Scretchy? Try moving the cursor until they look right and then left click to confirm.

[@Ballyweg]

@SuperAwesomeDrago Try expanding the field a bit. Move you mouse on the edge between the properties field and the 3D view, the left click and drag upwards.

[@Ballyweg]

In the left 3D view, look for a two very small objects just behind the world and one to the right and delete them. To remove the clouds, just delete the world (in the world options).

[@drdiverq8]

u made it so easy with your clear instruction i made the vedio in 3 hours thanks alot ahmad from kuwait

[@Ballyweg]

@MegaPuscifer That should be arond the right size. Don't forget to convert/compress it afterwards, preferably with Live Movie Maker.

[@Ballyweg]

@k1ssmyassproductions Make sure 1) That your mouse is in the upper left window. 2) That you have NOT left clicked on the graphics during the first few steps. 3) That you have selected the (big) text by right clicking on it.

[@Ballyweg]

@taytotom83 You can change any other windows to the timeline, change the frame number, and then change the window back to what it was. Or else try sending me a creenshot per PM.

[@Ballyweg]

@CullenCrest1000 Well, then what is the problem? That is exactly the things that should appear. Afterwards, you just go on like I am showing it in my tutorial.

[@Ballyweg]

@zuch98 Either you forgot to warp, or didn't insert a keyframe.

[@MostExtremeStuff]

My computer does not go down to values. What should I do?

[@Ballyweg]

@CLASSICMONSTERGUY95 Move your cursor over the edge of the top right window. An double-arrow-cursor should appear. Left click and drag down until the upper toolbar appears.

[@Ballyweg]

@deepwater1974 Sounds very strange. Are you sure you followed every single step? Try taking a look at the written instructions in the description.

[@Ballyweg]

Try pulling down on the edge where it should be.

[@Ballyweg]

@Thomas52195cp Right click on the taskbar -> Properties -> Change Taskbar buttons to "Combine when taskbar is full" or "Never combine".

[@Ballyweg]

You may need to pull down on the edge of that window to reveal the field on select timeline in the dropdown.

[@Ballyweg]

@CullenCrest1000 Make sure you are in Object Mode, not in Edit mode (Press TAB).

[@Ballyweg]

You can change the object settings in the object/texture tab.

[@Scarski99]

THANKYOU SOOO MUCH I HAD APSOLUTLY NO IDEA WHAT TO DO ON BLENDER BUT NOW I DO THANKS TO YOU :D

[@SXR123_YT]

@Ballyweg Well i'm using windows seven

[@Ballyweg]

@SniperNikola Try Clicking "Mesh from Curve/Meta/Surf/Text" directly without selecting Curve when you first press Alt + C and then move on. (just skip Curve)

[@Ballyweg]

The problem is, that the template is still the same, but because of some blender software updates, the flares get rendered differently. Try using an older Blender version (try 2.5x). I'm working on updating this template to make it work with the newest version of blender.

[@Ballyweg]

@Ipodtouchappsrule 2.57a, but 2.57b works fine too.

[@Ballyweg]

@MostExtremeStuff Insert keyframes by pressing I. Change frame number. Move the object. Insert keyframe.

[@ImTheOriginal1stZackAttack]

What program did you use to record the computer screen shot!

[@Ballyweg]

Go into the fonts tab (little F icon) and then change the value of the font size field.

[@Ballyweg]

Unless you change something, it should go until 700. Check your end frame.

[@Ballyweg]

@WorldWideGameReviews Ouch, that was annoying. It happens to me to, because there are so many little things. You probably forgot the "Insert keyframe" at 270, after having changed the value to 0.

[@Ballyweg]

@spartanMCgaming You must have forgotten to make the changes to the Shape key at frame 270 and set the keyframe.

[@jessiebarron5616]

OMG!! CAN YOU STOP COMMENTING!!

[@viniciustrollerfurymartins3905]

OMG IT WORKS!!! THANKS YOU!! I used another video editor because he left more lag now it did not come out any more lag. Excellent video!

[@Ballyweg]

@sonicXrules123 Try to convert it to WMX format, for use with Movie Maker XP or Vista.

[@EvanDrince]

Whenever I try..TRY and make this video I get to the part where i have to wrap it around the planet and it NEVER works.

[@Ballyweg]

@TheSkulltear What value? I've posted a video to show you how to change the frame number.

[@Ballyweg]

@SuperMarioStopmotion Try running blender as administrator.

[@Ballyweg]

@ufogib1 I haven't uploaded that one yet. Will do it this weekend.

[@EvanDrince]

@Ballyweg It doesnt wrap around the planet like yours does at 2:36 mine is way off to my left to the point where I cant even see it on the screen.

[@Ballyweg]

@TheMega671 Thanks. I cut out the "hiccups". Maybe I'll compile them together sometime for a good lough. :-)

[@Ballyweg]

There's a field called "Output". There you can change the path, for example C:\.

[@Ballyweg]

@ryla1000 Depends on your CPU. Normally around 5 hours.

[@meloproductions5638]

@ballyweg why is it that moon isn't showing up at all, only the glowing circle renders?,. PLEASE HELP ME

[@animateangus]

i dont get the first annotation saying that you pull down the toolbar border to get the toolbar the same caus mine doesnt have that toolbar at the top?

[@peggy1915]

Hello Bally your video is very helpful thanks a lot I learn lots from it

[@Ballyweg]

@hoboyouth Make sure that you follow every step, including, entering edit mode with tab and selecting all with a. And pressung Ctrl Shift alt C earlier.

[@MostExtremeStuff]

How do you make animations in Blender?

[@Ballyweg]

@giboconnor I will upload the files on the same page (on my homepage) as the other Dreamworks intro, as it works in the exactly same manner. So check that.

[@Ballyweg]

@rwayne8718 Try converting it with XMedia Recode to WMV format.

[@Ballyweg]

Nice. RAM isn't the critical component, CPU is.

[@GregFLLASH]

Okay very good ,Mac insert key automatically, then no longer a problem, thank you yet you're doing a very good job :)

[@Ballyweg]

Great! Normally it is Command + Click on Blender for Mac to Right Click.