Course Length: 12 hours (2 days)
Learn to use this comprehensive software tool to efficiently produce motion graphics and visual effects for film, video, multimedia, and the web. This is the entry-level of our After Effects classes and this two-day course will get you started using Adobe After Effects' powerful tools for creating a wide range of visual and audio effects. Our classes are led by experienced motion graphics professionals who have backgrounds with broadcast, film, and online media production.

Learning Objectives:

• Digital video basics in Adobe After Effects
• Using the After Effects Interface
• Media management
• Using layers in Adobe After Effects
• Using keyframes in Adobe After Effects
• Using text in Adobe After Effects
• Masking and alpha channels in Adobe After Effects
• Using effects in Adobe After Effects
• Introduction to 3D in After Effects
• Outputting in Adobe After Effects

Target Student:
This course is designed for new users looking to develop introductory skills to produce motion graphics and visual effects for film, video, multimedia and the web

Course Outline:
Digital Video Basics in Adobe After Effects

• Analog versus digital
• Frame rate and resolution
• Storage space and system requirements
• Defining motion graphics

Using the After Effects Interface

• Creating a project
• Understanding the After Effects panel system
• Organizing the Project Window
• Understanding the Composition Window
• Working in the Timeline Window
• RAM Preview vs. Standard Preview

Media Management

• Importing media files
• Importing Photoshop and Illustrator files
• Previewing footage
• Previewing stills and video
• Previewing audio
• Trimming a video clip
• Using the Interpret Footage dialog box
• Looping an audio or video file

Using Layers in Adobe After Effects

• Layer basics
• Layer options
• Creating a layer solid
• Understanding the layer switches
• Time stretch and frame blending
• Nesting compositions/layers using precomps

Using Keyframes in Adobe After Effects

• Animation of layer properties using keyframes
• Using layer parenting to ease repetition
• Understanding motion paths
• Working with layer blending
• Controlling the speed of animations
• Easing principles

Using Text in Adobe After Effects

• Creating text
• Character palette
• Paragraph palette
• Animating text with keyframes
• Animating text using presets
• Using Bridge with After Effects

Masking and Alpha Channels in Adobe After Effects

• Masking
• Animating masks
• Working with alpha channels
• Track matte

Using Effects in Adobe After Effects

• Effect basics
• Animating effects

Introduction to 3D in After Effects

• Exploring the 3D capabilities and limitations of After Effects
• Creating 3D layers
• Using multiple viewports
• Understanding 3D Transform properties
• Animating 3D layers
• Creating and using lights

Outputting in Adobe After Effects

• Rendering from a composition to various formats
• Understanding the Render Queue
• Adjusting render settings
• Duplicating jobs in the Render Queue
• Creating render templates
• Exporting a project file
• Rendering an individual frame