After Effects level 1 course - top

Description

Whether you are a motion graphics designer, visual effects artist, video editor, or a rich media designer for the web, Adobe After Effects CS4 Professional lets you design and animate with greater creative freedom

This Adobe authorized two day introductory course is designed to allow those new to post production techniques to get the most from this immensely powerful software.

The emphasis throughout this introduction is on practical exercises. These exercises will cover incorporating footage with Photoshop and Illustrator graphics, video layering techniques, working with key frames, using filters for special effects and rendering your final project. You will also look at different rendering techniques and ways to optimise the finished production for broadcast, DVD or the web.

Adobe After Effects Level 1 Course outline

Starting a project
• The Composition windows
• Using the Project window
• Working with layers over time
• Animating layers independently
• Designing backgrounds from scratch
• Using Bezier motion paths
• Applying effects to filters

Importing footage
• Importing layers from Photoshop
• Using Alpha channels
• Looping video footage
• Drafting a project
• Interpreting footage

Working with layers
• Different layer masking techniques
• Creating animated Bezier mattes
• Exposing elements of your last project
• Trimming and moving layers
• Changing playback speed
• Changing playback direction
• Working with Shape layers
• Using Brainstorm to experiment and refine designs

Working with text
• Customising text presets
• Animating text
• Antialiased text
• Using text layers

Working with key frames
• Animating graphic elements
• Precisely controlling animations
• Synchronising actions

Parent/child relationships
• Working with the z-axis
• Trimming layers

Introduction to using mattes
• Using color keys
• Making layers react interactively
• Working with multiple effects
• Using paths in After Effects
• Using adjustment layers
• Using the Keylight keyer

Compiling your project
• Optimising project settings
• Rendering the composition

Filters and transitions
• An in-depth look at After Effects filters including:
- Levels
- Creating drop shadows
- Perspective filters
• Using texturise
• Setting mattes
• Bevelling the Alpha channel
• Bevelling edges of rectangular objects
• An in-depth look at transitions
• Using the Comp window
• Creating text effects
• Animating text

More about key frames
• Further principles of key framing
• Copying and pasting key frames
• Key frame assistants
• Time reverse key framing
• Simultaneously editing multiple key frames

Finalising your project
• Using the pen tool to edit the value graph
• Issues involved in interpolation methods
• Precise control over velocity
• Controlling speed of change
• Nesting complex compositions
• Mixing interpolation methods

Linear and Bezier interpolation
• Previewing in wire frame
• Using audio effects
• Importing a project from Adobe Premiere

Final rendering
• Creating custom rendering templates
• Setting field rendering order
• Creating PDF video files

Saving your work for film, video, multimedia, mobile devices and the web
• Using Device Central

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After Effects level 2 course - top

Description

Bridge the gap between being able to use After Effects and being able to create visually stunning special effects using professional post production techniques.

This course is designed to give you the skills to get the most from After Effects enabling you to produce professional motion graphics and visual effects for film, video, multimedia, mobile devices and the web. We also recommend this course for those planning to gain Adobe Certified Expert status.

The course covers working in 3D space, advanced layer techniques, using expressions and masks, creating professional special fx, working with sound and gaining industry hints and tips from After Effects professionals.

Adobe After Effects Level 2 Course outline

Overview of features
• Optimising your system
• Finding ways to speed up previews
• Using different resolutions
• Using Adobe Clip Notes

Advanced layer techniques
• Using the Interpret footage dialog effectively
• Parent and child relationships
• Using Null layers
• Understanding the Anchor Point
• Using different blending modes
• Advanced text animation
• Using the Puppet tool

Working with compositions
• Nesting comps
• Pre-rendering comps
• Pre-composing layers
• Setting comp proxies
• Importing Photoshop and Illustrator comps
• Rendering order issues

Using masks
• Animating masks
• Using stencils and silhouettes
• Using RotoBezier masks
• Auto-tracing alpha channels
• Importing masks from Photoshop
• Creating Track mattes
• Using Keylight for Bluescreen and Greenscreen mattes


Generating professional special effects
• Motion tracking
• Motion stabilisation
• Image stabilisation
• Using color keying
• Using the Difference Matte effectively
• Using a Garbage Matte
• Using Vector Paint
• Advanced keying and warping tools
• Color management tools

Working in 3D space
• Creating a layer in 3D space
• 3D text animations
• Creating complex shapes
• Understanding the limitations of 2D planes in 3D space
• Using lights and cameras
• Using Nulls to control cameras

Using expressions
• Why expressions are useful
• Creating expressions to slave other layers
• Expressions vs Parent and Child
• Transferring properties in equations

Rendering comps
• The different Codecs in Quicktime
• Rendering effectively and quickly
• Understanding field order
• Rendering using Alpha channels
• Rendering to create a comp proxy

An introduction to Particle playground
• A guide to effects in After Effects
• 3D channel effects

Using sound in After Effects
• Adding and previewing sound
• Using sound markers to synchronise action

Hints and tips
• Creating PDF video files

Best practice in After Effects

Questions and answers

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