Tutorial: Recreate the Nexus from Star Trek Generations

[ShiveringCactus]

In this viewer-request video, I take on the challenge of recreating the Nexus from the first Star Trek: The Next Generation ( TNG ) movie, Generations. While the original was a complex 3D simulation created by ILM, I used the built-in tools in AE to create something which I think comes pretty close.

This project gave me the chance to demonstrate different ways to use Shape Layers, the script 'Create Nulls from Paths' and how to use one path to control another. I also got the chance to share a little known 'hack' for separating the 3D layers to prevent them intersecting!

• Video Copilot's Saber plugin: https://www.videocopilot.net/blog/2016/03/new-plug-in-saber-now-available-100-free/
• Project Download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/f29kluh34cgg6bw/TNG%20Nexus.aep?dl=1

[Mylenium]

To think that they spent weeks to create that wobbling noodle back then... 😉 Since you're already using Nulls, perhaps you might want to add some actual lightning effects based on calculating the normals along the path as some part 2 advanced tutorial...

Mylenium

[ShiveringCactus]

Now don't give me ideas, I already have a backlog of tutorials as long as my arm.   Although now you've got me thinking...

[Rameez_Khan]

That is a very nice tutorial, @ShiveringCactus! 💓

Keep up the great work.

Rameez