Adobe After Effects 5/5.5 Essentials
Author:Jayse Hansen
Language:english
Category:Multimedia Video,
Lessons:274 | 9 hrs
Buy Now or get more information about Adobe After Effects 5/5.5 Essentials
Adobe After Effects is the design application that has become the standard for 2D/3D compositing, special effects, and animation, even among video and motion graphics professionals. In this Virtual Training Company tutorial, Jayse Hansen guides you through the use of After Effects 5/5.5, taking you from the basics of creating a clip, organizing, and how to work with compositions, to working with typography, audio, effects, fades, and transitions. Other lessons involve working with 3D layers, lighting, and cameras, importing from Photoshop and Illustrator, and 3D enhancements. He includes assignments to help you apply what you are learning. And for even more assistance, he gives you additional book and web resources so that you can explore After Effects even further. To get started today, simply click one of the movie topics below.
First 3 Lessons Free Online (Press the links below to open up the free lessons. The lessons will open in a popup window from this screen and play in Quicktime):

Adobe After Effects 5/5.5 Essentials

Introduction

Welcome
What is After Effects?
Should I Learn After Effects or Something Else?
Why You Should Learn After Effects
The Best Way to Learn After Effects
Assumptions I have Made About You
How This Course Works
Get Your After Effects Notebook
What You'll Learn
What's New in AE 5.0
Lets Get on with It!

Basics

Basic Level What You'll Learn in the Basic Level
Example of What You'll Learn
Get Ready to Conquer
Quick Overview of Creating a Clip in AE

Details

Project Window & Importing in Detail
Organizing: Saving / Deleting / Renaming

Extra Tips: Essential De-Interlacing

Interlacing and Fields
Example Bad (Upper)
How to Fix
Example Properly De-Interlaced (Lower)

Compositions

New Comp Settings
Common Comp Sizes and Frame Rates to Memorize
The Comp Window
Time Line
How it All Works Together Review

Effects

The Coolest Part of AE
Applying Hue / Saturation and Fast Blur
Changing the Values
Deleting or Hiding Effects and RAM Preview
Assignment #1!
Adding Effects to Solid Layer Text and Glows
Quality Switches
Adding the Glow
Adding Effects to Adjustment Layers
Assignment Two!

Animation

Basics Learning to Keyframe Scale and Position
Opacity
Easy Ease
Fade Out
Adjusting Keyframes Proportionately
Reversing Keyframes and Copy / Paste
Animation Keyboard Shortcuts
Using Exponential Scale
Animating Opacity
Animating the Anchor Point and Setting Work Area Moving Layers
Animating a Blur Effect
Using Motion Blur
Lets Preview!
Rendered End Result
Assignment #3 Create Something Personal

RAM Previews and Time Controls

RAM Preview
Shift RAM Preview
Preview Keyboard Shortcuts
Ctrl (CMD) RAM Preview Saves the Preview
Region of Interest Tool
Dynamic Resolution
Audio Preview Preferences
Setting the Work Area B and N keys
Frame By Frame Shortcuts
Overview Shortcuts

Rendering Basics

RAM Preview
Changing Render Settings
Saving Render Settings
Output Module
Saving
Render Twirl-downs

Timeline and Layers

Customizing the Timeline
Area View
Adding Comp Markers
Layer Management
Reordering Layers
Using Numbers
Layer Markers
Nesting Compositions Grouping Layers
Centering and Aligning Layers
Copying and Pasting Attributes
AV Features
Solid Layers

Switches

Shy Layers
Continuous Rasterization
Quality Settings
Effects Switch
Frame Blending
Motion Blur
Adjustment Layer Switch
3D Layer Switch

Editing Layers

Editing Layers
Sequencing Layers
Straight Cuts
Sequencing and Dissolves
True Cross-dissolve
Trimming Clips and Slip Edits
Ripple Edit Inserts
Handy IBON keyboard Shortcut
Trimming on the Timeline Slip Edits
Playing a Clip Backwards
Time Remapping

Work Area Extras

How Footage Affects the Initial Work Area
B & N Keys / IBON / Shift Snap
Trimming Comp to the Work Area

Fades and Transitions

Cross Fade
True Cross Fade
Fade to Black

Text

Basic Text
Animating Size and Tracking
Adding Glow
Gotcha...Don't Animate the Scale
Using Title Safe Guides
Adding the Kickback
Adding Horizontal Blur
Using Path Text for Normal Text
Advance Options in Path Text
Animating Individual Characters
Final Touches
Normal Path Text
Number Generator

Typography

Basic Typography Intro / Serif Vs. Sans-Serif Fonts
Categories: Handwritten / Brush Scripts
Categories: Techno Type Fonts
Where to Find Fonts
General Design Guidelines
Further Resources: Books
Further Resources: Websites

Importing From Photoshop

Examining a Layered PS File
Importing Into AE as Composition
Modifying Layers
Importing with Alpha Channels
Creating an Alpha in Photoshop
Working with Pre-Multiplied Alpha Channels
Creating a Straight Alpha the Best Kind!
Multi-colored Straight Alpha Channels
Working with B&W Scans
Play Around with These
How to View the Alpha Channel in AE
Saving Out to a Layered PS Document

Illustrator

Difference Between a Raster Item and a Vector Item
The Vector Language
Working in Illustrator / Problems when Importing
Using Crops to Define Your Final Output in AE
Viewing Alpha Channel of Illustrator Files
Applying Effects - Continuously Rasterize Solution

Masks

Creating Simple Masks
Adding Feather
Modifying Masks
Editing Mask Points
Selecting Multiple Points
Deselecting Points
Adjusting Bezier Curves
Mask Interaction Multiple Masks
Drawing Masks with the Pen Tool
Learning to Trace with the Pen Tool
Freeform Drawing with the Pen Tool
Importing From Illustrator
Adding Effects
Animating the Masks

Track Mattes

Introduction to Track Mattes
Applying a Moving Luma Matte to a Movie
Pre-Composing to Add Effects
How the Mattes Were Created
Replacing Mattes
Improving the Bad Design
Alpha Track Mattes

Transfer Modes

Introduction to Transfer Modes
Dropping Out White
Dropping Out Black
Inverting Line Art
Review
Another Example of Dropping Out White
Adding Effects
Creating the Look of Heaven / Film / Instant Sex Photoshop Example
Some Alternatives
Using it in After Effects
Color Boost Defeating JPG Artifacting
Color to Black and White Fade
Difference Trick
Compositing Stock Effects Over Footage with Screen and Add Modes
Compositing Smoke Using the Screen Mode

Audio

Introduction to Audio Formats / Sample Rates and Bit Rates
Importing Audio
Previewing Audio
Previewing Shortcuts
Viewing the Waveform
The Audio Palette
Spotting Audio Setting Layer Markers
Adding a Script layer
Working with Markers in Pre-comps
Audio Effects
Stereo Mixer Effect
Looping a Music Track
Audio Fade is Not as Straight Forward as You'd Think

3D Layers

Introduction to 3D in After Effects
Turning on 3D layers: Views XYZ Handles
Rotating Along XYZ.
Customizing Keyboard Keys for Views
Difference Between Orientation and Rotation
Arranging in Space
Animating a Surreal Sky Photoshop Steps
Working with 3D Layers
Adding an Atmosphere
Final Render of Red Clouds

3D Lighting

Using Lights to Add Drama
Working in Draft 3D Mode
Using Views to Set the Scene
Adding a New Light Light Types
Positioning the New Light
Options: Intensity
Options: Color / Cone Angle and Cone Feather
Options: Shadow Controls
Example: True 3D Shadow Fall-off
Transform Properties: Point of Interest
A Note About AE 5.5
Negative Lighting
Parenting Lights

3D Cameras

Introduction to 3D Cameras
Creating a Fly-through effect
Adding a Camera
Using the Orbit: Pan and Track / Dolly Tools
Animating the Camera Setting Custom Resolution
Modifying the Motion Path
Using Roving Keyframes
Orient Layers Towards Camera
Using Multiple Cameras
Adding Depth of Field
Comparisons with and without Depth of Field
A Note About Multiple Views in After Effects 5.5

Expressions

Get Excited! Expressions Are Cool
Four Basics You Must Learn
Setting Up an Illustrator Cyber-Screen
First Option Using Parenting
Better Option - Using the Pick Whip Tool to Match Properties
Basics of Java Syntax
Using Math to Alter Expressions
Linking Dissimilar Properties - Rotation to Opacity
Converting Value Ranges 100 to 360
Linking Lights and Cameras to Layers with Expressions
Orientating a Camera the Wrong Way
Orientating a Camera the Right Way with Expressions
Rendered Example
Offsetting Time Values
Efficiently Working with Null Objects

New Features of After Effects 5.5

Awesome New Features
Resetting Preferences - Tip of the Day
Automated Proxy Creation Awesome!
Details Behind Proxy Creation - Creating a Motion Proxy

New Effects

The New Effects Palette
Four Color Gradient
Grid
Roughen Edges
Cell Pattern
Advanced Lightning

New Transfer Modes

Linear / Classic /Vivid / Pin Additions and New Keyboard Shortcut

3D Enhancements

Introduction to Multiple Views
Colored Shadows Simple Example
Colored Shadows Example Two
Colored Shadows Example with Video
Rendered Example
Setup Explained - Using Expressions / Changing Lighting Settings
Creating a Reflection Effect
Rendered Example
Final Word About Colored Shadows
Adjustment Lights
How Adjustment Lights Differ From Adjustment Layers

SWF Import

Importing Files From Flash or Livemotion

Demo Tips

Introduction
The Most Important Thing to Focus on
Selecting Work to Include
Tips for Motion Graphics Designers
Tips for Visual Effects Artists / Compositors
Delivery Options VHS / DVD
Targeting Your Market
Tips for the Perfectionists

End Notes

What Now?

Appendix Further Resources

Keep Moving Forward!
Some Favorite Learning Websites
Some Favorite Useful Websites
Some Favorite After Effects Books

01 Introduction
0101 Welcome
0102 What is After Effects?
0103 Should I Learn After Effects or Something Else?
0104 Why You Should Learn After Effects
0105 The Best Way to Learn After Effects
0106 Assumptions I have Made About You
0107 How This Course Works
0108 Get Your After Effects Notebook
0109 What Youll Learn
0110 Whats New in AE 5.0
0111 Lets Get on with It!

02 Basics
0201 Basic Level What Youll Learn in the Basic Level
0202 Example of What Youll Learn
0203 Get Ready to Conquer
0204 Quick Overview of Creating a Clip in AE

03 Details
0301 Project Window & Importing in Detail
0302 Organizing: Saving / Deleting / Renaming

04 Extra Tips: Essential De-Interlacing
0401 Interlacing and Fields
0402 Example Bad (Upper)
0403 How to Fix
0404 Example Properly De-Interlaced (Lower)

05 Compositions
0501 New Comp Settings
0502 Common Comp Sizes and Frame Rates to Memorize
0503 The Comp Window
0504 Time Line
0505 How it All Works Together Review

06 Effects
0601 The Coolest Part of AE
0602 Applying Hue / Saturation and Fast Blur
0603 Changing the Values
0604 Deleting or Hiding Effects and RAM Preview
0605 Assignment #1!
0606 Adding Effects to Solid Layer Text and Glows
0607 Quality Switches
0608 Adding the Glow
0609 Adding Effects to Adjustment Layers
0610 Assignment Two!

07 Animation
0701 Basics Learning to Keyframe Scale and Position
0702 Opacity
0703 Easy Ease
0704 Fade Out
0705 Adjusting Keyframes Proportionately
0706 Reversing Keyframes and Copy / Paste
0707 Animation Keyboard Shortcuts
0708 Using Exponential Scale
0709 Animating Opacity
0710 Animating the Anchor Point and Setting Work Area Moving Layers
0711 Animating a Blur Effect
0712 Using Motion Blur
0713 Lets Preview!
0714 Rendered End Result
0715 Assignment #3 Create Something Personal

08 RAM Previews and Time Controls
0801 RAM Preview
0802 Shift RAM Preview
0803 Preview Keyboard Shortcuts
0804 Ctrl (CMD) RAM Preview Saves the Preview
0805 Region of Interest Tool
0806 Dynamic Resolution
0807 Audio Preview Preferences
0808 Setting the Work Area B and N keys
0809 Frame By Frame Shortcuts
0810 Overview Shortcuts

09 Rendering Basics
0901 RAM Preview
0902 Changing Render Settings
0903 Saving Render Settings
0904 Output Module
0905 Saving
0906 Render Twirl-downs

10 Timeline and Layers
1001 Customizing the Timeline
1002 Area View
1003 Adding Comp Markers
1004 Layer Management
1005 Reordering Layers
1006 Using Numbers
1007 Layer Markers
1008 Nesting Compositions Grouping Layers
1009 Centering and Aligning Layers
1010 Copying and Pasting Attributes
1011 AV Features
1012 Solid Layers

11 Switches
1101 Shy Layers
1102 Continuous Rasterization
1103 Quality Settings
1104 Effects Switch
1105 Frame Blending
1106 Motion Blur
1107 Adjustment Layer Switch
1108 3D Layer Switch

12 Editing Layers
1201 Editing Layers
1202 Sequencing Layers
1203 Straight Cuts
1204 Sequencing and Dissolves
1205 True Cross-dissolve
1206 Trimming Clips and Slip Edits
1207 Ripple Edit Inserts
1208 Handy IBON keyboard Shortcut
1209 Trimming on the Timeline Slip Edits
1210 Playing a Clip Backwards
1211 Time Remapping

13 Work Area Extras
1301 How Footage Affects the Initial Work Area
1302 B & N Keys / IBON / Shift Snap
1303 Trimming Comp to the Work Area

14 Fades and Transitions
1401 Cross Fade
1402 True Cross Fade
1403 Fade to Black

15 Text
1501 Basic Text
1502 Animating Size and Tracking
1503 Adding Glow
1504 Gotcha...Dont Animate the Scale
1505 Using Title Safe Guides
1506 Adding the Kickback
1507 Adding Horizontal Blur
1508 Using Path Text for Normal Text
1509 Advance Options in Path Text
1510 Animating Individual Characters
1511 Final Touches
1512 Normal Path Text
1513 Number Generator

16 Typography
1601 Basic Typography Intro / Serif Vs. Sans-Serif Fonts
1602 Categories: Handwritten / Brush Scripts
1603 Categories: Techno Type Fonts
1604 Where to Find Fonts
1605 General Design Guidelines
1606 Further Resources: Books
1607 Further Resources: Websites

17 Importing From Photoshop
1701 Examining a Layered PS File
1702 Importing Into AE as Composition
1703 Modifying Layers
1704 Importing with Alpha Channels
1705 Creating an Alpha in Photoshop
1706 Working with Pre-Multiplied Alpha Channels
1707 Creating a Straight Alpha the Best Kind!
1708 Multi-colored Straight Alpha Channels
1709 Working with B&W Scans
1710 Play Around with These
1711 How to View the Alpha Channel in AE
1712 Saving Out to a Layered PS Document

18 Illustrator
1801 Difference Between a Raster Item and a Vector Item
1802 The Vector Language
1803 Working in Illustrator / Problems when Importing
1804 Using Crops to Define Your Final Output in AE
1805 Viewing Alpha Channel of Illustrator Files
1806 Applying Effects - Continuously Rasterize Solution

19 Masks
1901 Creating Simple Masks
1902 Adding Feather
1903 Modifying Masks
1904 Editing Mask Points
1905 Selecting Multiple Points
1906 Deselecting Points
1907 Adjusting Bezier Curves
1908 Mask Interaction Multiple Masks
1909 Drawing Masks with the Pen Tool
1910 Learning to Trace with the Pen Tool
1911 Freeform Drawing with the Pen Tool
1912 Importing From Illustrator
1913 Adding Effects
1914 Animating the Masks

20 Track Mattes
2001 Introduction to Track Mattes
2002 Applying a Moving Luma Matte to a Movie
2003 Pre-Composing to Add Effects
2004 How the Mattes Were Created
2005 Replacing Mattes
2006 Improving the Bad Design
2007 Alpha Track Mattes

21 Transfer Modes
2101 Introduction to Transfer Modes
2102 Dropping Out White
2103 Dropping Out Black
2104 Inverting Line Art
2105 Review
2106 Another Example of Dropping Out White
2107 Adding Effects
2108 Creating the Look of Heaven / Film / Instant Sex Photoshop Example
2109 Some Alternatives
2110 Using it in After Effects
2111 Color Boost Defeating JPG Artifacting
2112 Color to Black and White Fade
2113 Difference Trick
2114 Compositing Stock Effects Over Footage with Screen and Add Modes
2115 Compositing Smoke Using the Screen Mode

22 Audio
2201 Introduction to Audio Formats / Sample Rates and Bit Rates
2202 Importing Audio
2203 Previewing Audio
2204 Previewing Shortcuts
2205 Viewing the Waveform
2206 The Audio Palette
2207 Spotting Audio Setting Layer Markers
2208 Adding a Script layer
2209 Working with Markers in Pre-comps
2210 Audio Effects
2211 Stereo Mixer Effect
2212 Looping a Music Track
2213 Audio Fade is Not as Straight Forward as Youd Think

23 3D Layers
2301 Introduction to 3D in After Effects
2302 Turning on 3D layers: Views XYZ Handles
2303 Rotating Along XYZ.
2304 Customizing Keyboard Keys for Views
2305 Difference Between Orientation and Rotation
2306 Arranging in Space
2307 Animating a Surreal Sky Photoshop Steps
2308 Working with 3D Layers
2309 Adding an Atmosphere
2310 Final Render of Red Clouds

24 3D Lighting
2401 Using Lights to Add Drama
2402 Working in Draft 3D Mode
2403 Using Views to Set the Scene
2404 Adding a New Light Light Types
2405 Positioning the New Light
2406 Options: Intensity
2407 Options: Color / Cone Angle and Cone Feather
2408 Options: Shadow Controls
2409 Example: True 3D Shadow Fall-off
2410 Transform Properties: Point of Interest
2411 A Note About AE 5.5
2412 Negative Lighting
2413 Parenting Lights

25 3D Cameras
2501 Introduction to 3D Cameras
2502 Creating a Fly-through effect
2503 Adding a Camera
2504 Using the Orbit: Pan and Track / Dolly Tools
2505 Animating the Camera Setting Custom Resolution
2506 Modifying the Motion Path
2507 Using Roving Keyframes
2508 Orient Layers Towards Camera
2509 Using Multiple Cameras
2510 Adding Depth of Field
2511 Comparisons with and without Depth of Field
2512 A Note About Multiple Views in After Effects 5.5

26 Expressions
2601 Get Excited! Expressions Are Cool
2602 Four Basics You Must Learn
2603 Setting Up an Illustrator Cyber-Screen
2604 First Option Using Parenting
2605 Better Option - Using the Pick Whip Tool to Match Properties
2606 Basics of Java Syntax
2607 Using Math to Alter Expressions
2608 Linking Dissimilar Properties - Rotation to Opacity
2609 Converting Value Ranges 100 to 360
2610 Linking Lights and Cameras to Layers with Expressions
2611 Orientating a Camera the Wrong Way
2612 Orientating a Camera the Right Way with Expressions
2613 Rendered Example
2614 Offsetting Time Values
2615 Efficiently Working with Null Objects

27 New Features of After Effects 5.5
2701 Awesome New Features
2702 Resetting Preferences - Tip of the Day
2703 Automated Proxy Creation Awesome!
2704 Details Behind Proxy Creation - Creating a Motion Proxy

28 New Effects
2801 The New Effects Palette
2802 Four Color Gradient
2803 Grid
2804 Roughen Edges
2805 Cell Pattern
2806 Advanced Lightning

29 New Transfer Modes
2901 Linear / Classic /Vivid / Pin Additions and New Keyboard Shortcut

30 3D Enhancements
3001 Introduction to Multiple Views
3002 Colored Shadows Simple Example
3003 Colored Shadows Example Two
3004 Colored Shadows Example with Video
3005 Rendered Example
3006 Setup Explained - Using Expressions / Changing Lighting Settings
3007 Creating a Reflection Effect
3008 Rendered Example
3009 Final Word About Colored Shadows
3010 Adjustment Lights
3011 How Adjustment Lights Differ From Adjustment Layers

31 SWF Import
3101 Importing Files From Flash or Livemotion

32 Demo Tips
3201 Introduction
3202 The Most Important Thing to Focus on
3203 Selecting Work to Include
3204 Tips for Motion Graphics Designers
3205 Tips for Visual Effects Artists / Compositors
3206 Delivery Options VHS / DVD
3207 Targeting Your Market
3208 Tips for the Perfectionists

33 End Notes
3301 What Now?

34 Appendix Further Resources
3401 Keep Moving Forward!
3402 Some Favorite Learning Websites
3403 Some Favorite Useful Websites
3404 Some Favorite After Effects Books

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