I recently completed a short tutorial that shows you how to create some stylized 3D text within Adobe After Effects using Trapcode Form.

Trapcode make awesome plugins for After Effects, with Particular and Form being two of my favourites. This tutorial is an introduction to using Form and controlling the particles with layer maps.

To watch the tutorial you need to head on over to Red Giant TV.

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.