When using MoGraph in Cinema4D, the effectors can be used for several things other than affecting the position, rotation or scale.  Another option is to control the visibility of clones. If you switch to the Parameter tab of an appropriate effector, scroll down and you will see an innocent little check box labeled Visibility.  Now you won’t find this on all the effectors as it just wouldn’t make sense on some of them.  On the effectors where you can use it however, this check box  . . .  believe it or not  . . . makes clones visible or invisible!

Visibility Checkbox

You can use this to simply control which clones are visible and which are not.  Of course you can use the Falloff to control this too.  I’m made a small example scene that demonstrates this using the Random, Shader and Step Effectors.  Although the Step Effector is only really using Falloff as it’s control.

Here’s a preview of the result.

You can download this example scene here.

Here is a quick tip on using Preserve Transparency in After Effects.  An often overlooked feature, this little switch can sometimes be very useful when wanting to stack several layers and retain the transparency of the bottom layer.

Head on over to Vimeo to watch this in HD

Preserve Transparency In After Effects from Tim Clapham on Vimeo.

Nick over at Greyscale Gorilla has been holding Five Second Competitions for quite a while now.  If you are not familiar with these, then you should go and check out some of the past entries.

If you are ever needing an excuse to get creative (who needs an excuse hey?), but are a little stuck with the subject, then why not head on over to Greyscale Gorilla and take part in one of the competitions. They are always themed and on top of that you have a deadline too.

If you are after a copy of Making It Look Great 6, then now is your chance to grab a free copy.  That’s right, enter the 5 second competition and give yourself a chance to win a copy.

Deadline for entries is June 29th 2009, so don’t hesitate!

For more info on Making It Look Great 6, check out Motionworks.

If you want to read more about Nick’s 5 Second Competitions and you fancy your chances too, then head straight for the Greyscale Gorilla website for more information.

Good luck!  Can’t wait to see the entries.