Introduction to Adobe After Effects

3 days

Course Description

After Effects CC software lets you deliver cinematic visual effects and motion graphics faster than ever before with new Global Performance Cache. Extend your creativity with built-in text and shape extrusion, new mask feathering options. Get into motion graphics - come learn what After Effects CC can do!

Who Should Attend

Video, animation and graphics professionals who need a working knowledge of Adobe After Effects CC.

Prerequisites:

Continuation of Education

Course Outline

Note: The curricula below comprise activities typically covered in a class at this skill level. The instructor may, at his/her discretion, adjust the lesson plan to meet the needs of the class.

Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Motion Graphics

  • After Effects and the RGB Color
  • Mode Frame Size
  • Resolution
  • Pixel Aspect Ratios
  • Working with Native Transparency and Alpha Channels
  • Understanding Frame Rates
  • Time Code Options
  • File Import Format Compatibility
  • Interpreting Footage, Frame Rates, and Field Order

Lesson 2: Getting Started

  • System Requirements
  • Hardware Recommendations
  • After Effects for Apple Silicon
  • Upgrading & New Features
  • Controlling Automatic Updates
  • Startup and Repair Preferences
  • Keyboard Shortcuts

Lesson 3: Workspaces and the User Interface

  • General User Interface Items
  • Get to know After Effects interface
  • Improved User Interface
  • Workspaces, Panels, and Viewers
  • Customizing the Transparency Grid
  • Changing Panel Background Colors
  • Standard Workspaces.
  • Customizing and Creating Workspaces

Lesson 4: Getting to Know the Workflow

  • Creating a Project
  • Planning and Setup
  • Setting and Changing Preferences
  • Importing Footage
  • Supported File Formats
  • Working with Photoshop and Illustrator Files
  • Creating a Composition and Arranging Layers
  • Adding Effects and Layer Styles
  • Modifying Layer Properties
  • Animating Compositions
  • Previewing Timelines
  • Optimizing Performance
  • Collaborating in After Effects
  • Finding Resources for Using After Effects

Lesson 5: Animation Basics

  • Understanding Keyframing Basics
  • Keyframing Position, Rotation, Scale, and Opacity
  • Keyframing Anchor Point
  • Navigating and Changing Keyframes
  • Temporal vs Spatial Keyframes
  • Bezier Keyframe Types
  • Using Keyframe Interpolation
  • Using Hold and Roving Keyframes

Lesson 6: Other Animation Options

  • Animating using Motion Sketch
  • Using the The Smoother and The Wiggler
  • Using Motion Blur
  • Using the Graph Editor
  • Auto Orienting Motion Paths
  • Splitting and Sequencing Layers Using
  • Adjustment Layers

Lesson 7: Animating Text

  • Creating Text Layers
  • Installing Fonts using Adobe Fonts
  • Creating and Formatting Text
  • Using Point and Area Type
  • Working with the Source Text Option
  • Animating Type with Source Text
  • Working with Text on a Path
  • Using Text Animator Groups
  • Adding Properties to an Animator Group Direct
  • Text Keyframing
  • Using Range Selectors
  • Animating Tracking and Motion Blur
  • Using Per Character 3D
  • Using the Wiggly Selector
  • Using Text Animation Preset
  • Converting Text to Shape Layers
  • Converting Photoshop Text to Text Layers

Lesson 8: Working With Shape Layers

  • Creating Shape Layers
  • Duplicating a Shape
  • Positioning Layers with Snapping
  • Animating a Shape
  • Transforming Shapes
  • Creating and Editing Shapes with the Pen Tool
  • Using Path Operators
  • Creating Self-Animating Shapes
  • Commands for Creating Nulls from Points
  • Converting Shapes to Bezier Paths
  • Converting Text and Illustrator Layers to Shapes
  • Saving Shape Layers as Presets

Lesson 9: Working with Layers and Timeline Panel

  • Understanding Layer Switches
  • Blending Modes and Track Matte Options
  • Creating and Duplicating Layers
  • Moving Layers on the Timeline
  • Changing Layer Stacking Order
  • Trimming Layers
  • Splitting Layers
  • Introduction to Parenting Layers Pre
  • Composing Layers Sequencing
  • Layers
  • Using Adjustment Layers
  • Adding an Audio Track

Lesson 10: Using Time Stretch

  • Time Stretch Panel and Shortcuts
  • Manipulating Time and Time Remapping
  • Using Frame Mix and Pixel Motion for Frame rate Mismatches
  • Using the Time Reverse Layer Command
  • Freeze Frame Options
  • Time Remapping a Layer
  • Using the Graph Editor with Time Remapping
  • Using the LoopOut Expression with Time Remapping

Lesson 11: Working with Masks

  • Masking Basics
  • Creating a Mask with the Pen Tool
  • Masking with Shape Tools
  • Editing a Mask
  • Feathering the Edges of a Mask
  • Using the Mask Feather Tool
  • Replacing the Content of the Mask
  • Adjusting Mask Opacity
  • Animating Masks

Lesson 12: Distorting Objects with the Puppet Tools

  • Puppet Tool Basics
  • Adding Position Pins
  • Using the Classic Puppet Tool
  • Using Motion Sketch with the Classic Puppet Tool
  • Posing with the Advanced Puppet Tools
  • Adding Advanced and Bend Pins
  • Stiffening an Area
  • Easing Pin Keyframes

Lesson 13: Performing Color Correction

  • Adjusting Color with the Lumetri Color Effect
  • Basic Options
  • Creative Options
  • Curves Options
  • HSL Secondary Options
  • Color Wheels Options
  • Vignette Options
  • Using Lumetri Scopes

Lesson 14: Rendering and Outputting

  • Render Queue Basics
  • Render Settings Output Modules Creating
  • Templates for the Render Queue Exporting
  • using the Render Queue Rendering with
  • Adobe Media Encoder