My favorite 3D program Cinema 4D just got an upgrade. Maxon just announced today the release of Cinema 4D R12.

The new version comes with these hot new features:

• Powerful new dynamics like hinges, springs, motors, soft bodies and more.
• Enhanced render features.
• New character tools
• New deformers
• Open GL 3 support
• Python scripting

Check out GSG for a great video preview

For the past couple of months JMDesign has been tweeting on Twitter. If you would like to follow JMDesign on Twitter please do so here: JMDesign Twitter

Over the past year I have produced a few videos that needed a voice over track. I tried a few local shops to do the work for me and everything turned out great, but it took a long time to book the talent, book the studio and wait for the track to be edited and sent to me.

It wasn’t until I found Voice123 that recording VO tracks became fun again. Voice123 is a free service for the buyer that connects you with great voice talent. It only takes a few minutes to post a project, set your budget and within 24 hours you should already have a few auditions to review. Make sure to try Voice123 for your next project.

Web link: Voice123

Over time your website runs the risk of having out dated technologies and may lack features that allow it to play well with new technologies. When I created the JMDesign website a year ago Flash videos players were all the rage. I decided to use JW Player as my Flash video player because of its rock solid platform, options and support. Times have changed and as Apple steadily becomes a force in the web standards industry, HTML 5 is in and Flash is being phased out to play video on the web. As you probably know any iOS device such as the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch cannot play Flash natively. I looked for alternatives, but none presented themselves until last week. Vimeo announced an embed code that detected device connectivity and delivered content accordingly. This was huge because I could now create a site that would work across any platform.

Over the past week I have made these updates to my site

• Changed all the video embed code (JW Player and Vimeo) on my website to Vimeo’s new embed code.
• Uploaded all the videos my website to Vimeo that were being played from my server as MP4 and FLV files.
• Added a Twitter feed to the Pro Blog and a Follow us on Twitter link to all site footers.
• Added social media links to every post on the Pro Blog.
• Added social media links to the player page.

I use Vimeo to showcase a lot of my work and as a Vimeo Plus member, Vimeo offers a lot of powerful tools to make my embedded videos look great. Today Vimeo announced a slick new embed code called Universal Player for both Vimeo Plus and regular members. This new embed code (it is actually an iFrame) can automatically detect what kind of device is being used to view your video and will choose the optimum player based on the device’s capabilities. This is great news for anyone who wants to play their videos across multiple devices such as iPhone, iPads, desktops, laptops and HD boxes.

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1. Trapcode Particular

Trapcode Particular is one of the most talked about After Effects plug-ins of all time for good reason. Its powerful and easy to use particle system makes it the ideal choice for creating an array of effects like smoke, dust, clouds, grass, bubbles, rain, snow, debris and anything else you can think to throw at it.

More info: Trapcode Particular

2. Video Copilot Optical Flares

In 2009 Video Copilot launched the incredible After Effects plug-in Optical Flares. This affordable add-on creates stunning real life and artistic lens flares. Its ability to track 3D lights make it a truly indispensable tool and “wow” maker.

More info: Video Copilot Optical Flares

3. Magic Bullet Looks

Red Giant Software continually produces innovative plug-ins for After Effects users. Magic Bullet Looks is a toolkit for designers to add film moods and effects to their compositions. With over 100 presents and the ability to tweak your own, Red Giant Looks will not disappoint you with its overwhelming number of features.

More info: Magic Bullet Looks

4. Trapcode Shine

Trapcode Shine is an oldie but a goody. This simple plug-in can breath life into a composition by adding majestic light rays and glorious shine.

More info: Trapcode Shine

5. Trapcode Starglow

Trapcode Starglow is another classic plug-in that everyone should own. Similar to Trapcode Shine, this plug-in can add shinning twinkle and glow to your composition.

More info: Trapcode Starglow

6. Lenscare by Frischulft

Although this plug-in is the most obscure one on the list, it does not make it any less important. Lenscare is a remarkable plug-in and is in a class of its own when it comes to blurring effects. With a few simple steps this plug-in creates realistic rack focus blurs. Go check out this plug-in for yourself and get ready to fall in love.

More info: Lenscare by Frischulft

The great folks at Red Giant Software put together a useful resource for motion graphic designers called Red Giant People. Much like the now defunct Trapcode People website, Red Giant People is a place where anyone can submit their own After Effects presets. The library is already off to a good start and is a growing resource of free goodies.

Ever wanted to add some spice to your data being presented in After Effects? Get ready to be blown away by Yanobox‘s new plugin called Nodes for After Effects, Final Cut Pro and Motion. This plugin offers editors and Motion graphics artists a unique tool to combine text and graphics into beautiful 3D animations. Nodes lets you play with a number of different presets, or you can create your own graphic vocabulary by customizing all available parameters.

A few years back I did some freelance design work for Animusic. I helped design a countdown timer graphic for their five-minute animations. From what I can see they are giving away two free five-minute countdown timers as direct downloads here: http://www.animusic.com/downloads/countdowns.php