Animating a Youtube Intro - Motion Design Workflow Tutorial

I'm launching my first animation course! Enroll now to get 40% off while it’s on presale. :)
cutt.ly/ErNE0hZ
If that link doesn't work:motiondesign.school/products/...
In this after effects tutorial, I show my workflow and process creating this animated youtube intro in Adobe After Effects using a variety of Motion Design skills. This tutorial is suitable for intermediate users. Please leave a comment if you'd like me to explain anything I skimmed over.
Alex's Channel:
/ @alexcrafted
Maintain scale when parented Expression:
bit.ly/2o0sDCY
(sorry youtube won't let me have curly brackets in the description)
It's in that document on row 43
Lots of useful stuff in there too
JR Canest Livestream:
• Live Stream with Jr.Ca...
► Download the brush for free here: gum.co/wqAfE
► Download my other free project files: gumroad.com/benmarriott
►If you used any techniques from this tutorial, please tag me on Instagram @ben_marriott_ so I can see what awesome things you create
►Link to my Instagram: / ben_marriott_
►Find me elsewhere!
I'm available for hire: www.benmarriott.com/
Vimeo: vimeo.com/benmarriott
ALL THE LINKS (In order of appearance)
Some of the below links are AFFILIATE LINKS and by making a purchase via these links we will earn a very small percentage of commission, which means that we could keep making tutorials and showing you all the animation fun and tricks. Some of these links do use cookies. Thank you so much for the lovely support.
Adobe After Effects:clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p...
►Music:
I used Epidemic sounds to source my music and sound effects
www.epidemicsound.com/?...
(Affiliate link)
Massive thanks to madmomentsgo for providing that amazing music for my intro! check out his other brilliant work here: bit.ly/2ER0bJF
"Le Grand Chase" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Magic Scout - Farm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Killing Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
~ God bless Kevin ~

[@JonathanWinbush]

Man Cartoon Network needs to hire you to do bumpers 🤙🏾

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, that'd be amazing! :)

[@OneDude7745]

@@BenMarriott You really should apply. They'd probably love to have you!

[@mironmalejki838]

My man Winbush here, god of 3d

[@joshuakevintaytayan1011]

IKR this is very cool and interesting

[@mightypurplelicious1625]

I think it’ll fit well

[@wxvelight4241]

His intro remimded me of adventure time

[@guslevogus6098]

Same

[@google123ad7]

True

[@KirkukisTurkmen]

Yep

[@Zencarious]

IT RUINED MY CHILDHOOD 😭😞😞😭 ITS DONE THE EPISODE ENDED 😫😫😭😩

[@freakygraphics2771]

Exactly...

[@JesseMoffett]

I will pay ANY amount for you to do a full tutorial on how you do a project like this from start to finish. More in depth the better!!! Thanks for everything you share. Super inspiring.

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for the amazing support, Jesse. The pleasure is all mine :)

[@Abdo.A]

+1

[@teavetyskova]

Would be a great Skillshare lesson :)

[@fightXagainst]

yes!! I NEED Ben to make a more indepth tutorial maybe on skillshare or somewhere we could buy it!!

[@nijatIbrahimli]

nice :)

[@roorn404show]

I have to admit that we live in beautiful times. Access to knowledge is so easy. At the age of 34, I can learn things that interest me, without spending money and leaving the house. I appreciate the work of people like you who make it possible for me. Your tutorials are really great :)

[@fiddah]

Room 404 Show I advise you to read Qur’an.

[@FathomRaven]

fiddah what?

[@Not4valerie]

@@fiddah yeah

[@shayxn]

@@FathomRaven report him

[@FathomRaven]

@@shayxn Why, though?

[@steam3d]

Do not lose time :)
s = [];
ps = parent.transform.scale.value;
for (i = 0; i < ps.length; i++){
s[i] = value[i]*100/ps[i]
}
s

[@qwertyuiop-cy5en]

what

[@Kiyst]

qwerty uiop LMAO

[@qwertyuiop-cy5en]

@@Kiyst lamenting my anguish online

[@claudiasilvaespinoza5108]

I am so proud of this community

[@Tripplejdog]

thank you sis

[@pedrotaylorgudiel]

OH MY GOD YOU ARE AMAZING

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, thank you so much, Pedro :)

[@zulekhafavors765]

A Verified channel with 1 reply and 18 likes?

[@snipsters]

Zulekha Favors *3 replies 19 likes

[@vaiulette]

*4 replies 80 likes

[@jandessonoliveira4508]

Você por aqui haha

[@NinFir]

This looks fantastic!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks mate :)

[@MaxiKingYT]

Yep!

[@doyouarehavestoopid6589]

@@BenMarriott Can I ask how you did the 3d wording for Alex?

[@shemightluvnestor]

Ahoj NinFir! :DDDD

[@ayushcreations19]

check out this one 👇
ua-cam.com/video/xC64Zur7IOo/v-deo.html

[@hermasadrianfttf9986]

it didn't occur to me there were skills like this person

[@cakebeforeheartbreak]

I have absolutely no idea what you're saying because I don't speak Adobe language but cool animations

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, thanks for watching then! :)

[@dnghn.design]

Same

[@mightypurplelicious1625]

I don’t even know why I’m watching I just know it’s a cool animation

[@planetdesign4681]

At least you know
We *always label our layers*

[@cakebeforeheartbreak]

The One weird nerd in your comment section
Yep I definitely understand that. I even do that myself when I use photoshop and illustrator because I always have like tons of layers and groups and it's hard to keep track

[@kachunkie]

I have all three of these apps but all I’m missing is ✨talent✨

[@myfuelisramen2890]

M O O D

[@Clixhy]

L E A R N E V E R Y T H I N G U S I N G S K I L L S H A R E

[@zora4187]

M O O D

[@zora4187]

L E A R N E V E R Y T H I N G U S I N G S K I L L S H A R E

[@yasirbek2666]

M O O D

[@RorysKitchen]

You're the animator I had no idea I needed to hire! I'll hit you up one day when I figure out what I need to hire you for! Keep up the epic work mate :)

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much, Rory! :)

[@InternetCity]

BRO THIS IS AMAZING! I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS GREAT JOB!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks man, glad you like it! :)

[@ayushcreations19]

check out this one 👇
ua-cam.com/video/xC64Zur7IOo/v-deo.html

[@brems5614]

Lovee how concise your videos are. Its so hard to find tutorials made for people that already have the fundamentals of after effects down.

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much, Lauren :)

[@mouse5142]

ben you are an absolute godsend. thank you for all of the wonderful knowledge you've made available to all of us

[@josepassarelli]

Just writing the expression for copy paste purposes
s = [];
ps =
parent.transform.scale.value;
for (i = 0; i< ps.length; i++){
s[i] = value[i]*100/ps[i];
}
s

[@dianasaurstudio]

OOOOH I just started using Rough Animator with ProCreate, and love that there's a script for importing RA to AE. Would love to see more Rough Animator integrated tutorials in the future, you do a great job explaining and showing the process.

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for the suggestion and feedback, I will definitely try to make more of them! :)

[@frhneil1463]

I love how you explain bit by bit. Simple explanation to how to make specific thing! Might apply this in my tutorial in the future

[@jaiskreno]

Your animations and your intro are the cutest and most adorable things I have ever seen. Great job!!!

[@Wukomi]

So good! Amazing how much you cram in such a short time Ben. Keepem coming!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you've enjoyed it! :)

[@HolyGayfish]

Best youtuber out there atm.

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for the amazing compliment :)

[@paoloteves2462]

I'm new at animation and Adobe After Effects and I badly wanted to learn. Really thankful that I found your channel!

[@thespaceplug]

Incredible animation techniques. I would love to see more and to learn more about how to become a better animator.
Keep up the great work

[@AdamRaeburn]

For anyone using the scaling expression the new update breaks it! Here is how to fix it. Simply replace all the "s" with "scale" instead. Your code should look like this:
s = [];
ps = parent.transform.scale.value;
for (i = 0; i < ps.length; i++){
s[i] = value[i]*100/ps[i];
}
s
Updated May 2023

[@geckoeditz5330]

OMG THANKS

[@keeks0_0]

This still doesn't seem to be working

[@sarahl2935]

@@keeks0_0 It works if your anchor point is at the center of the object that is being parented to the null. In the context of the video, the dog's anchor point is at the center of the dog, not the center of the composition.

[@sergey5680]

Everyone who want to use that expression, use any variable instead of "scale"! In this situation, "scale" is a property, so this code below should work:
s = [];
ps = parent.transform.scale.value;
for (i = 0; i < ps.length; i++){
s[i] = value[i]*100/ps[i];
}
s

[@ayushcreations19]

check out this one 👇
ua-cam.com/video/xC64Zur7IOo/v-deo.html

[@erintbh]

This is amazing Ben !
I loooove the colours and the animation is as smooth as butter. Good job! 😍
(I am a huge Alex fan aha) :D

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much!!! :)

[@amritaaryan]

Me after watching this video: *"There is no secret ingredient"*

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, there really isn't! :)

[@flakeycakey]

Secret ingredient is hard work, experience, and time!

[@insanitylol]

You can easily get a good intro without adobe after effects. Don’t waste time and money on this and use a free software.

[@FarizArianto]

No secret ingredient, only pure skill

[@kayodetosin1869]

Thank you Ben for the awesome tuts, I can't wait to try out some of the steps

[@konceptochannel]

Yes! so many good techniques here.

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much!

[@nitzanzamir1744]

that's super awesome! love the colors, motion and composition!

[@DoctorWhoAdventures]

Woah! This is absolutely awesome!!! I love the shading style so much :D Awesome job :)

[@lynthedesigner]

Ben, you are a blessing in the creative community.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@rochisauria2514]

Thank you so much for showing your process... As a Mom, i've been unable to work for a while and now i'm trying to get back in shape and your tips and tricks and processes have been wonderful!!! Thank you Ben!

[@NiHKI74]

Loved it! Workflow tutorials are so cool, specially yours Ben!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much, Nicolas :)

[@sincerelymellody]

I'm a high school animation student, and this was SO cool and interesting to watch!

[@mezzer458]

Awesome stuff Ben! 🔥Keep this content rolling and we will keep watching! Love how you have the approach we already know our way around after effects, saves so much time!!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for the support, Tom! :)

[@hannahsart6552]

this is such an intuitive straight to the point animation workflow video! thank you so much, i am smiling all throughout the video and smiling even more when the segment of how you animated the doggo came up

[@theguyordie]

Glad to see creative people are still contributing to the intro community :)

[@teomas]

HOLY CRAP TGOD YOU'RE ALIVE? WHAT HAPPENED

[@paulapazumi]

Amazing! Really interesting to see your workflow

[@navadablanchard5528]

that null object is pretty powerful and the script as well. Thank you for the breakdown process incorporating the frame by frame animation. This was very helpful

[@BenMarriott]

My pleasure :)

[@bergmanndaniel]

I'm always left open mouth everytime i watch your videos...the edition and the way you teach are just adorable!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much! That's so awesome of you to say :)

[@mohamedelfatih2337]

This is a really very amazing tutorial, please keep up with this kind of tutorials very useful.
Hope you next time show us more liquid tutorials.

[@Riffified]

So sick dude! Amazing to finally the final product after all the insta teasers haha

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, thank you so much for the support, Isaac!! :)

[@heavenly_black_lotus]

I love the fact that i always get inspired from your work wherever i am down.

[@samanthayang7470]

Thank you! Love these short and sweet tutorials! Learned a lot!

[@ritlua]

Called out at 4:15. I TRY, Ben. I TRY. Great tutorial - and the animation is SO cute.

[@fudouu]

This was amazing! Thank you for another great video ❤️

[@BenMarriott]

My pleasure, thank you so much :)

[@EricRothman-cv2mu]

Yooo, loving your iPad workflow. Thanks for making this. You are crushing it.

[@medsph6693]

I really love your videos man. I'm still new to animating stuffs but seeing your works, it gives me energy to learn and explore. Keep going man!

[@TheCantikJelita]

Dude, thanks!!! You're the best.

[@kylemaven5956]

That expression makes it so much easier! I have no idea what it means though, can you do a tutorial on expressions? Love your tutorials, I always learn something new from you!

[@lucyormond1026]

Just discovered your videos after deciding to try my hand at animation for uni. Will deffo be watching more. Thanks for the tips!!! Your work is great

[@holymoon6558]

This is absolutely lovely. Thank you for your artistry and creative work.

[@Nerdykiddd]

UA-cam recommendations are really a mystery WellPoint got a new subb

[@reenethrawr]

Ahhh been waiting to see this since the teasers on Instagram! Learned something about the expression, because I would just attached it to the null and scaled the objects up which I would then play with the scale trying to make it as it it burst onto the scene😅.
I wouldn’t mind learning more about expressions in the future because that’s something quite complex to understand (at least for me).

[@deliberatevideo]

This is awesome!! I'm about to do my first paid intro animation job, and you've given me so much to think about. I loved seeing the steps of your process, and I'm feeling much more prepared to tackle this.

[@emilierouchy]

my gooood your workflow is a total revelation to me ! i didn't know we can export script from roughanimator to after effect.. thank you for sharing this !!!!

[@Rootzi]

"Now let's talk about the dog's legs.
The *ruffs* for these were made with *ruff* animator too."

[@BenMarriott]

XD

[@AlsHackShack]

I used these legs for... Ruffrence!

[@Flazerie]

What a pun

[@Kevoin_]

Timecodes: (Expression at the bottom)
*Blobs* - 0:58
*Burst* - 2:13
*Dog legs* - 3:40
_Expression used:_
s = [];
ps = parent.transform.scale.value;
for (i = 0; i < ps.length; i++){
s[i] = value[i]*100/ps[i]
}
s

[@aricchip1217]

0:05

[@dandeliondew]

Amazing! Thank you for. Going through, and showing the script to edit the object size!

[@SuperstarYT]

Thanks for this, I love learning the process behind these animations

[@carmensimps6086]

I don’t even have a pc but I’m watching for fun

[@GiveMeBread1]

Wait hold up hold up
*ROUGHANIMATOR?*
THAT 3$ APP IN THE APP AND PLAY STORE?
THE ANIMATING APP I USE AND USED TO MAKE A INTRO FOR ALEX?

[@nevaehm7872]

Vungmuny Animations well it basically costs $5.00 dollars since it’s $4.99 dollars.

[@GiveMeBread1]

Nevaeh M. Oh it’s $2.99 for me

[@rabidbwah3430]

@@nevaehm7872 Pirates anthem rising in the distance

[@Clixhy]

Adobe effect.. You know the deal.

[@abiathma7807]

Thanks for this vid Ben! I always wonder about your intro in every videooo!

[@joshualisciarelli6960]

I’m just now getting into after effects. Your tutorials are SUPER HELPFUL thank you so much!!!

[@BenMarriott]

My pleasure, Joshua :)

[@mexDpeace]

uuuh shit that scaling expression blew my mind! Really cool!!

[@tingtingin]

Are the boxes actual 3d how are you doing those?
Or is it just paths?

[@liorliv3Gaming]

Yeah I wonder how too

[@cerealfede]

im guessing he made a rough sketch of cube rotating on 3d and then ... well his workflow

[@liorliv3Gaming]

ok so for the diamond I looked up "diamond rotation in after effects" on UA-cam, there are tutorials, it's actually very simple :)

[@brandonkalyan]

Amazing as always

[@thevanimates]

the intro flows so smoothly this helped alot in normal animation too

[@coconutjelly_]

你居然有bilibili账号！！
i just found that you have bilibili channel!
it is so nice
thank you for sharing!!❤
your video is always useful :))

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, yeah, I set up the Bilibili channel in order to reach a broader group of audience.Thank you so much for supporting me on both of these channels!! :)

[@DCVCPC]

Hey Ben, Loved the video!❤️❤️❤️
I have a query, my brother is 11 years old and really interested in animation. He is just a beginner and really wants to learn more, what are your suggestions for him, which software he should start from apart from learning the sketching/drawing and illustration part?
Thanks🙂

[@missham]

i'm so happy every time your video is the first thing UA-cam recommend me.

[@BenMarriott]

Daww, thank you for the support! :)

[@fascinationways]

I amazed just by watching that dog legs part 😍

[@Kxhil]

When can I be this talented

[@BenMarriott]

you'll be even better than me one day, Kahil. Believe in yourself :)

[@Kxhil]

Ben Marriott I wish man, I have been editing videos since 2016 and I still am to this day idk if you know what AMV’s are but yeah I edit them thankyou for you’re reply

[@fedor3000]

ah my boi who likes that grainy 👊

[@WeekendMotion]

Ben you again did awesome tutorial. I learn a lots of things from you. Im constantly watching your stuff on UA-cam thanks for sharing your knowledge 😊😚

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for your amazing support, really appreciate it!! :)

[@stephanieb7330]

I love your animations! Your tutorials are so helpful for some like me who is trying to learn how to animate so thanks a lot!!

[@BenMarriott]

The pleasure is all mine, thank you so much for the amazing feedback and support :)

[@unyro]

Great tut. In this episode your voice sounds slightly different

[@RonDey]

How did u do the crystal? it looks like a 3d object

[@liorliv3Gaming]

Search "diamond rotation in after effects" in UA-cam, there are tutorials, very simple :)

[@yuutonn5979]

:0 i have no words for this work of ART

[@WHMAGuy]

Thank you I’ve been wondering about this for a while now.

[@KZAH.Online]

There’s no way this only took 16 hours over 2 days… You have a godspeed level workflow 🔥

[@Jaimyx77]

The intro makes me feel watching Discovery Channel.... HAHAHAHA

[@regiluthfi]

there's also free brush? this is too awesome!

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, cheers! :)

[@TheRackUp]

You are so cool and kind and generous for sharing all this knowledge and all these resources with us!! I hope someone brings you gifts everyday, you deserve it. Just... THANK YOU!

[@BenMarriott]

That's so nice of you to say! Thank you so much! :)

[@silviekinart1001]

Thank you for this, such a great explanation!! I feel like I've learned so much so quickly.

[@panchomanchoflancho6505]

Why does this get so little views?
And an image of a gorilla saying
Poo poo
Gets like 100000 views
Well....

[@BenMarriott]

haha, thank you so much!!! :)

[@buchstabensuppenfa7545]

Cause most People are stupid af
A few days ago i saw a channel that only uploads short clips from a car rolling over things like milk, melons etc.
It has 3 million subs.

[@Colorsfulls]

This reminds me of Adventure Time

[@ShortfaceTv]

You're animations are so dope. I'm obsessed with Adventure time and get those vibes from your work 100% 😍😍😍😍😍

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much!! Adventure time is definitely one of my fav too!

[@Youkomollema]

Looks bloody amazing

[@jussayeti3802]

something about the fact that the intro to this channel starts with a bat’s ass hits different

[@joekerr8584]

this shit looks so complicated this def requires some talent

[@hybrid3d]

Another awesome tutorial Ben. Gonna try me some straight ahead animation! I love the spontaneity of it. Thank you

[@BenMarriott]

You're welcome, glad you liked this method!! :)

[@gn9647]

your tutorial is the best so far! thank you very much ^^

[@persebra]

Damn, I need to get a new computer AND and an Ipad.
That looks like a cat, not a dog.
How much would you charge a client for a job like that?
subscribed!

[@lameesalameer301]

I came here to learn how to animate but I don't think I speak smart intelligent Adobe language

[@minbeibei]

Just randomly discovered this and its super helpful. Thank you!

[@shamgates1253]

OMG Bro, You are life saver
you Helped me a lot to get my new job, basically I'm video editor with a little knowledge in after effects, but the new job require more knowledge about motion graphic, Your channel has been the best reference for me throughout the past period.
Thanks from the heart Bro

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much for watching. Comments like these keep this channel going :)

[@sadfafa731]

first!

[@Toluj330]

Why!?

[@BenMarriott]

Woohoo, so quick! :)

[@EdaliaDayCreative]

These are all so fab. Thanks for making them

[@rafaelaverdan4778]

This is awesome! You made it waay less complicated that it looked!