Category Archives: Class Notes

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Lesson 3 – Keyframe Types

Precomping in After effects:

 

EASE IN /EASE OUT / EASE-EASE

Temporal keyframes & Spacial keyframes

Roving Keyframes:

http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/tutorials/guide-to-keyframes-in-after-effects/

Copy – Paste Keyframes:

 

Orient to Path ( ’11:20 ):

Roller coaster animation:

Keyframing tutorials:

http://cgi.tutsplus.com/tutorials/keyframing-tips-for-adding-weight-to-basic-shapes–ae-23969

Basic training:

http://cgi.tutsplus.com/tutorials/after-effects-for-beginners-effects-animation–ae-206

 

 

Class Notes

Session 01 | (01/26/15) – After Effects Basics

Project organization 

  • When media is imported into After Effects, it does not become part of the AE file but rather links to the AE file from its location on the hard drive.
  • It is very important to maintain a consistent folder structure for every project, or you will lose the links to your imported assets.
  • Create an organized folder structure for each project you work on.folders (0-00-00-00)
  • Never re-name or move your folders and imported assets ( or you will have to re-link them).

 

Basic Interface: Project, Composition, Timeline, Preview, Tools 

Composition settings 
  • When beginning a new project, be aware of your final output requirements (web, broadcast, projection, etc).
  • Some important specs to be aware of are: resolution, pixel aspect ratio, frame rate, duration
  • In this class, your composition settings will be:Screen Shot 2015-01-27 at 9.35.30 PM
    • HDV/HDTV 1080 29.97 fps Progressive
    • resolution: 1920 x 1080
    • pixel aspect ration: square pixels
    • frame rate: 29.97 frames per second
    • Progressive (non-interlaced)

 

  • Zoom in/out of Composition Window: Cmnd & + or –
Importing media: still images, video, audio 
  • option 1: File > Import > File
  • option 2: Right-click in the Project window; Import > File
  • option 3: Select Project window; Cmnd & i
  • option 4: double click inside the project window pannel
  • option 5: Drag a file/folder from your computer to the project window.

Screen Shot 2015-01-27 at 9.38.44 PM

 

Working with layers on a timeline 
  • To bring images, videos and audio files from the project window into the composition:
    1. click-drag an asset from the project window and drop it into the composition window (this will give you the option of positioning the asset using the mouse)
    2. click-drag an asset from the project window and drop it into theleft side of the timeline (the asset will appear in the center of the composition and at the beginning of the timeline)
    3. click-drag an asset from the project window and drop it into theright side of the timeline (the asset will appear at the center of the composition but will give you an option of choosing the desired place on the timeline using the mouse)

 

  • duplicating a layer: select layer; Cmnd & D
  • copying a layer: select layer; Cmnd & C
  • pasting a layer: select layer; Cmnd & V
  • zoom in/out of the timeline: + or –

 

Preview
  • To preview your animation, use RAM Preview: first button on the right side that looks like an arrow with three lines behind it or 0 on the numeric pad ( CMND +0 on laptops).
  • Only RAM Preview allows you to view your animation in real-time.
  •  Spacebar – Your playback will not be in real-time and you will not hear sound.