The world of animation and motion graphics never stops turning. Here’s the latest scoop...

Update to Adobe Photoshop includes selections improvements and support for Windows high density monitors

Adobe has announced the release of Photoshop 19.1, which features select and mask improvements as well as better SVG compatibility with Adobe XD.

There’s also support for Windows high density monitors, offering a full range of scale factors from 100 to 400 per cent, and the ability to adjust opacity as you paint with the Microsoft Dial.  

“The desire to support and create beautiful experiences is something the teams at Adobe and Microsoft have in common,” said Microsoft Devices Corporate Vice President Panos Panay. “Details matter, both in the creation of products and the creation of art, and we’re excited to continue our partnership to deliver visually exquisite experiences for all our shared customers.”

Shutterstock predicts biggest creative trends of 2018

By analysing search and download habits, Shutterstock has predicted the biggest trends set to take the creative industry by storm in 2018.

Because of the buzz surrounding Bitcoin, it’s perhaps no surprise that ‘cryptocurrency’ makes the cut. Also on the list is ‘space’, thanks in large part to the revitalisation of Star Wars and Star Trek along with the hugely popular TV series Stranger Things.

Other creative trends on the list include ‘Fantasy’, ‘New Minimalism’, ‘Natural Luxury’, ‘Punchy Pastels’, ‘A Global March’, ‘Cactus’, ‘Digital Crafts’, ‘Ancient Geometrics’, and ‘Holographic Foil’.

Colour Control Automation script helps create and manage colour controls in After Effects

A new script for After Effects has been designed to help users create colour controls for individual compositions by automating the process.

Colour Control Automation (CCA) promises to cut down the hours of pick-whipping by hand and will even generate universal colour controls for entire projects.

“CCA is not a palette script, there is no fancy interface or steep learning curve,” developer Framestore said. “No third party plugins or any kind of installation necessary each time you deliver a project to your client.”

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Visual Effects Society announce award nominations for 2018

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) and the Visual Effects Society (VES Awards) have announced their top VFX picks for the 2018 awards season.

The nominees for ‘Visual Effects’ at the 90th Academy Awards are Blade Runner 2049, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Kong: Skull Island, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and War for the Planet of the Apes.

Coincidentally, the nominees for ‘Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature’ at the 16th Annual VES Awards are exactly the same. However, the VES explores VFX in more detail with other categories including Animated Features, Real-Time Projects, and Commercials.