After Effects CS4 - Introduction

Learn How to Produce High-Quality Motion Graphics

Course Description: Adobe After Effects is the software you need to create motion graphics footage for broadcast video, internet video, DVD menu systems, mobile content and even film. After Effects is not a video editor. This amazing tool for serious motion designers is an animation platform and a time-line based composition palette. It is perfect for merging and layering live footage, resolution independent graphics or both. The features of the software include a large variety of effects and image filters. It is ideally suited for creating expressive titles, high quality layer blends, moving graphics and even for manipulating 3D objects. This course will take you step-by-step through a series of demonstrations and exercises. It will leave you with the basic skill-set to get up and running quickly. Start with a thorough introduction to the After Effects workspace. Begin building your first animated sequence. Understand key frames and learn how to use them efficiently by trying a multitude of special effects. Experiment with masks, titles, shapes and even footage in 3D space. Learn the foundation to producing professional motion graphics then render your masterpiece to any form of digital media that you require.

Author: Foster Johnson

Runtime: 7hrs. 25min.

Lessons: 66

Lessons	Time (Min:Sec)
Introduction PREVIEW, CLICK HERE	01:18
Chapter 1: Getting to Know the Workflow
Overview PREVIEW, CLICK HERE	00:22
Tour the Workspace PREVIEW, CLICK HERE	12:23
Create a Project and Import Footage	06:37
Set Up a Composition	09:54
Basic Animation	11:07
Preview Your Work	08:03
More Basic Animation	10:33
Chapter 2: Creating Basic Animation Using Effects & Presets
Overview	00:30
Import Footage Using Adobe Bridge	08:14
Work with Imported Adobe Illustrator Layers	09:18
Apply Effects and Try Out an Animation Preset	10:20
Add Transparency	04:30
Render Your Finished Composition	12:20
Chapter 3: Animating Text
Overview	00:20
How to Use Text Layers	07:50
Create Point Text	14:56
Animate Text Using Parenting	07:42
Animate Imported Photoshop Text	07:56
Preview and Use Path Animation Presets	12:35
Chapter 4: Working with Layers
Overview	00:33
Add Shape Layers	08:23
Draw Shapes	10:22
Create Lighting Changes	14:25
Apply a Cartoon Effect	08:25
Create a Track Matte, Add Shadows and Lens Flares Part 1	14:59
Create a Track Matte, Add Shadows and Lens Flares Part 2	00:39
Chapter 5: Animating a Multimedia Slideshow
Overview	00:26
Import the Scenery for the Stage	09:19
Adjust the Anchor Point of a Layer	03:03
Mask Video and Keyframe Motion	14:33
Animate a Slideshow on the Stage	09:36
Add an Audio Sound Track	05:26
Chapter 6: Working with Masks
Overview	00:19
All About Masks	05:57
Create a Mask with the Pen Tool	07:56
Mask One Footage Source on Top of Another	03:21
Add a Reflection	03:34
Create a Vignette	02:58
Chapter 7: The Puppet Tools
Overview	00:21
How the Puppet Tools Work	08:36
Add Control Points and Deform Pins	07:54
Use the Starch Tool	02:40
Animate Pin Positions	12:31
Record Puppet Motion in Real Time	05:38
Chapter 8: Keying
Overview	00:31
Color Key Basics	04:41
Change the Background Color of a Layer	03:43
Create and Use a Garbage Mask	04:07
Color Difference Key	07:51
Choke and Remove Light Spill	05:51
Animate the Foreground and the Background	10:18
Test Mobile Compatibility Using Adobe Device Central	06:32
Chapter 9: Creating 3D Objects & Using 3D Features
Overview	00:25
Build a 3D Object Part 1	10:05
Build a 3D Object Part 2	10:04
Build a 3D Object Part 3	11:23
Work with 3D Text	07:43
Add a 3D Camera	11:13
Use 3D Lights and Effects	12:03
Chapter 10: Rendering & Output
Overview	00:22
Tour the Render Queue Panel	03:24
Create Templates for Rendering	05:13
Create Templates for Output Modules	06:15
Export Settings for Different Forms of Media	04:21
Conclusion	01:12