Adobe After Effects is a multi-layer, graphics, animation, and compositing program in which you have the ability to manipulate 2D layers in a 3D space. In this Virtual Training Company tutorial, Jason Anderson will guide you from the creation of a project to the final rendering in AfterEffects 4. You will soon be familiar with the windows and palettes and will learn how to import material and how to animate. He will even help you work with layers and with audio. Before you know it, you will be able to render your own creations! To get started right away, just click one of the topics below.
IntroductionIntroduction to Adobe AfterEffectsWhat is AAECreative freedomApplications of AAEConclusionWhats new in AfterEffects 4Primary upgrades; getting startedImporting into the project windowMore importing; applying multiple masksOther importing methodsNew effects optionsIllustrator rasterizationDrawbacks of Illustrator rasterizationAudio effects optionsAudio effects continuedAdjustment layersThe basicsIntroductionPrimary windows and palettesImporting file footageLoading into the composition windowScaling and repositioning layersAnimating materialPreviewing motionRendering a compositionWindows and palettesIntroduction - project, composition and time layout window settings
Project window
Importing into the project window, part I
Importing into the project window, part II
Importing into the project window, part III
Organizing your project window
Project window in-depth, part I
Project window in-depth, part II
Creating compositions within project window
Composition window
Title and action safe zones
Current time indicator examined
Take snapshot, show last snapshot and channel displays
Time layout window
Mock composition
Current time display
Audio/video features panel
Layer outline
Switches panel
Quality adjustment column and hiding layers
Time graph
Composition family button
Optional panels
Viewing area markers
Work area markers
Current time marker
Time ruler and window menu
Composition time marker
Toolbox window
Time control palette
ImportingImporting introduction
Importing files continued
Importing files continued
Importing Photoshop sequence
Importing Photoshop layers
Interpreting footage options
Interpreting footage continued
Illustrator; EPS files; effects
Some artistic play
Working with layersIntroduction
Importing material
Composition window
Scaling, sizing and positioning layers
Basic animation
Introduction to layers and keyframes
Adjusting keyframes and previewing motion
Scaling and previewing
Adjusting anchor path
Tweaking motion paths
Adjusting motion
Adjustment layer
Brightness and sharpness
Internal titling/text
Working with an Illustrator file
Adding a solid color layer
Nesting of compositions and layer maskingIntroduction
Importing files
Keying, scaling, and effects with layers
Positioning layers, part I
Positioning layers, part II
Beveling, alphas, and scaling
Time layout
Motion
Motion sketching
Motion with trails
Keyframes and nesting compositions
Alpha channel
Time layout
Composition nesting
Masking
Multiple masks per layer
Positioning product
Applying motion
Layer mask
Keyframes
AnimationIntroduction
Examining material
Importing material and loading
Isolating layers, blur and drop shadow
Color and beveling alpha channel tricks
Copying/pasting keyframes, part I
Copying/pasting keyframes, part II
Stylize filter
Animating layers
Rotation
Playing material back
Rendering with audio
Video effects introduction
Work area setup
Importing and placing material
Using layers and creating effects
Text effects and cropping
Effect controls palette
Copying and pasting keyframes
Visual filter and drop shadow
Positioning text for animation
Applying animation; time layout window layers
Previewing animation and transitions
Rendering overview; scaling and tweaking layers
Transition placement
Applying transition effects
Wiping in and wiping out
Tweaking motion paths
Scaling
More motion paths
Applying 3D to layers
Drop shadow techniques
Working with audioBass, treble and delay
Synching video with audio
Preparing audio for output
RenderingIntroduction to rendering
Rendering checklist before rendering
Checklist continued
Checking resolution and effects settings
Object background vs. alpha channel background.
Rendering queue examined
Examining render settings
Render output module settings
Codec compression options
Audio adjustment; examining rendering process
Render completion
Movie playback of movie
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