Mike Afford Media BLOG

Latest news, observations, and the occasional comment

Virtual Studio Set 5 updated

Virtual Studio Set free update

Just to let you know that I’ve updated one of my virtual studio sets over at VirtualStudioSets.com.

Studio 5 has been completely updated with a new colour scheme, a different example skyline outside the windows (you can still add your own of course!), and extra layers and customisation options. The coloured wall sections are now blue, and are completely separate layers, so you can easily change the colour scheme (using NewTek’s Virtual Set Editor, Photoshop, or the colour correction tools in your NLE), or turn them off to reveal the white walls behind them. read more »

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Virtual Weather Studio

TriCaster Studio Set for Microsoft

Just a quick heads up to say that I’ve added another complete multi-angle virtual set to the store over at virtualstudiosets.com

It is based on the Tricaster virtual sets I designed for the Weather Network a little while back and I’m pleased to say they’re letting me provide ‘unbranded’ versions to new customers and clients. I’ve completely updated the sets to include brand new skylines, and a number of new close-up angles. The multi-angle packs also come with a set of ‘weather variations’ on the skyline outside, showing different weather conditions from sunny, partly cloudy all the way to foggy and overcast, and also a couple of night-time versions too. read more »

HD Weather Animations

thunderstorms weather image from HD Weather Animations pack

It’s taken a few years (!), but I finally got around to packaging up the original HD (1920×1080) weather animations that I used to create my smaller animated GIF weather icon sets.

You can buy them from my store here.

They are supplied as image sequences, at full HD resolution, in lossless PNG format. It is a BIG download (over 6GB in all, split into 8 separate zipped folders). The set includes 92 different weather conditions – and you can download look-up tables to map them to loads of different weather data providers. read more »

TriCaster Virtual Set for ESPN

Virtual Sports Set for ESPN UK

I’m pleased to see one of my recent virtual studio sets is starting to make an appearance over at ESPN UK.

It’s a multi-angle virtual set designed for their TriCaster with a wide angle, close-ups for presenter and guests, plus a standing position with big screen.

The studio is completely customisable. The monitor at the front of the desk can be fed with any image (for example a logo, as shown in the larger image above). The desk can be removed completely to allow the set to be used with real furniture (that’s how they’ve been using the set for their F1 discussion videos – see the two smaller images above). read more »

Virtual Set for Champions League 2015

Here’s a quick look at my latest virtual studio set for the new Champions League programmes from Setanta Sports. As usual it’s rendered in real-time with full camera tracking thanks to the awesome power of RT Software’s tOG 3D system. read more »

TriCaster Virtual Weather Set for The Weather Network

Virtual Weather Set for The Weather Network UK

I’m delighted to see that my latest virtual studio sets have now gone live over at The Weather Network UK.

Earlier in the year I embarked on a great project which involved two of my special interests – weather graphics and virtual studio sets. The brief was to design a brand new virtual environment that the Weather Network team could use for their video content. As well as a vritual set for the main weather forecasts, they also needed a ‘news’ position, and a special ‘science corner’. read more »

TriCaster studio set for Microsoft

TriCaster Studio Set for Microsoft

Here’s a few images of the custom TriCaster virtual sets I designed for Microsoft Technology Centres (MTC).

The work was project managed by NewTek in the States and I’m very grateful for their support throughout the process.

There are two separate studio environments. One is the ‘primary’ set – designed to look more like a multi-camera television studio. The other TriCaster set gives the impression of a ‘remote’ location – designed to look more like a studio built within a working office space. Both of the designs try to tie in with the existing look and feel of the real presentation areas and working spaces within MTC’s worldwide. read more »