book

Adobe After Effects

by Ben Goldsmith

July 2022

Intermediate to advanced

488 pages

13h 20m

English

Rocky Nook

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Software and FilesA Note Regarding Keyboard Shortcuts
Folder Structure
Create a New ProjectImport Assets
Configure the Comp Panel to Your Liking
Changing an Object’s PositionChanging an Object’s ScaleChanging an Object’s RotationChanging an Object’s Anchor Point
Configuring the TimelineTransform ControlsPARTSZoom In and Out of the Timeline

Prepping for AnimationAnimating PositionIt’s Playback TimeConfiguring PlaybackThe Preview PanelWork AreaAdding a Pause in AnimationEditing Keyframes
Curved Position PathsAdd RotationTrimming Clips
Import the AssetOpen the CompositionComposition Settings
Create a Null Object
Parent with PickwhippingScale the Null
Enable Continuous Rasterization
Don’t Forget to Set Your Anchor PointScale in the Timeline
Easy Ease
The Graph EditorAdjusting Keyframe Velocity
Graph Bezier Curves
More ParentingReusing Animation
Creating a Text LayerEditing TextText on a Path
The Effects & Presets PanelRetiming, AgainTrim the Comp
Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
Creating a New Composition from Scratch
Create an Ellipse ShapeChange a Shape’s FillGradient FillChange a Shape’s StrokeRename Your StuffAdd More ShapesAdd a Custom ShapeStroke Settings
Grouping Shapes
Using MarkersAnimate the Face GroupAnimate the EyebrowsAnimate the MouthFinesse the Animation
Create a New Shape LayerAdding a Second StrokeStroke TaperTrim PathsStylize It With an Effect
Enable Motion BlurOptimizing Playback
Adobe Media Encoder CaveatsExporting with Render Queue
Create a MaskEditing a MaskMask OptionsThe Mask Feather Tool
Creating a Matte
Set Up the PrecompWorking with Precomps
Animating a MaskAnimating an EffectTiming Within a PrecompRetimingMoving On
What Is (and Isn’t) 3DSome Quick Parenting
Convert a Layer to a 3D LayerThe Gizmo3D ViewsArranging 3D Layers
Creating a CameraAnimating the CameraDepth of Field
Setting Up the Puppet Tool
Enable ExpressionsAdd a Wiggle ExpressionAdvanced Parenting
Open a Clip in the Footage Panel
Open the Mocha AE EffectTracking a Flat ObjectApply the Track
First, a Little Setting UpUsing the Roto BrushNow, Propagate!Freeze!
Mask the Phone ScreenCompositingWhat’s Next?
Organizing Your Files
WorkspacesResizing and Rearranging Panels
Align PanelAudio PanelBrushes PanelCharacter PanelContent-Aware Fill PanelEffects & Presets PanelEssential Graphics PanelInfo PanelLearn PanelLibraries PanelLumetri Scopes PanelMask Interpolation PanelMedia Browser PanelMetadata PanelMotion Sketch PanelPaint PanelParagraph PanelPreview PanelProgress PanelProperties Panel Review with Frame.io PanelSmoother PanelToolbarTracker PanelWiggler PanelEffect Controls PanelFlowchart Panel
Importing FilesAsset OptionsProject Settings
Common Interface ToolsPlayback in the Footage PanelSetting In and Out PointsTimecodeAdding Footage to a Composition
Frame Size and Frame RateCreate a Composition from ScratchCreate a Composition from FileComposition Settings
Composition Panel Interface Tools
Toggle Track Visibility, Mute, Solo, and LockLabelsLayersThe SwitchesParent & LinkExpand/Collapse Other PanesComp Search BarTimeline ButtonsWork Area
Retiming ClipsChanging Clip SpeedScene Edit Detection
The Preview Panel
The Layer Panel Interface
Creating a PrecompNavigating Precomps
What’s the Difference?Render with the Render QueueEncode with Adobe Media Encoder
The Tools PanelAnchor Points
Transform PropertiesQuickly Accessing Transforms
Enabling KeyframesBasic Keyframe EditingKeyframe Labels
Easy EaseKeyframe VelocityHold Keyframes
The Graph Editor InterfaceEditing GraphsKeyframe InterpolationScale Graphs
Position Keyframes in the Comp PanelPosition Keyframes in the Graph EditorRove Across TimeAuto-Orient
Setting Up Parent/Child RelationshipsNull Objects
Point TextParagraph TextThe Vertical Type Tool
FontFont StyleFill and StrokeFont SizeLeadingKerningTrackingVertical and Horizontal ScaleBaseline ShiftTsumeFaux Bold and Faux ItalicAll CapsSmall CapsSuperscript and SubscriptLigaturesHindi Digits
AlignmentJustificationIndent Left/Right MarginsAdd Space Before/After ParagraphIndent First LineText Direction
Source Text Can…Source Text Cannot…
Browsing Text Animation PresetsApplying a Text Preset
Create an AnimatorEdit the AnimatorManipulate the Range SelectorAdvanced Range Selector OptionsWiggly SelectorExpression Selector
Create a PathPutting Text on the PathPath Options
Creating Shapes with the Shape ToolCreating Shapes with the Pen ToolEditing Bezier PathsConvert a Shape to a Bezier PathConvert an Illustrator File to a Shape LayerRotobezier
Edit a Shape’s FillEditing a Shape’s StrokeTransform
Adding a Shape to a Shape LayerGrouping ShapesAdding More Stuff to a Shape
Merge PathsOffset PathsPucker and BloatRepeaterRound CornersTrim PathsTwistWiggle PathsWiggle TransformZig Zag
Creating a MaskEditing a MaskThe Mask Feather ToolAnimating a Mask
Setting a MatteThe Set Matte EffectPreserve Underlying Transparency
Blend Mode CategoriesNormal ModesDarkening ModesLightening ModesContrast ModesArithmetic ModesComponent ModesStencil ModesUtility Modes
PreferencesPlug-Ins
The Effect Controls PanelKeyframing EffectsAdjustment LayersMasking Effects
3D ChannelAudioBlurBoris FX MochaChannelCinema 4DColor CorrectionLumetri ColorDistortExpression ControlsGenerateImmersive VideoKeyingMatteNoise and GrainObsoletePerspectiveSimulationStylizeTextTimeTransitionsUtility
Applying a Layer StyleDrop ShadowInner ShadowOuter GlowInner GlowBevel and EmbossSatinColor OverlayGradient OverlayStroke
3D Position3D Orientation and RotationScalingGizmo OptionsInteractions with 2D Layers
Draft 3DChange RendererView OptionsMultiple Views
Create a CameraMoving the CameraCamera Options
Creating a LightCommon Light AttributesShadowsMaterials
Cinema 4D’s LimitationsReflectionsGeometry OptionsRender Quality
Cinema 4D LiteElement 3D
Selecting the SubjectView OptionsPropagatingFreeze and UnfreezeRoto Brush Refinement
The Brush ToolThe Clone Stamp ToolThe Eraser Tool
Choose What to ReplaceThe Content-Aware Fill Panel
Types of TrackingMotion SourceCurrent TrackTrack TypeTargetAnalyzeApply
Track Camera3D Camera Tracker OptionsIncorporating 3D Objects
Launching Mocha AEThe Mocha WorkspacesMocha ToolsViewer ControlsTimeline ControlsThe Layer PanelLayer PropertiesEssentials PanelParameters PanelGetting Back to After EffectsMocha Pro
Building a Puppet RigAnimating a Puppet RigThe MeshOther Types of PinsGoing Further with Character Animation
Pickwhipping AttributesParenting between CompositionsA Peek Under the HoodData Types
Accessing ExpressionsThe Loop Expression
TimeWiggle
Defining VariablesUsing VariablesCommentsSemicolons
Adding a SliderBring the Slider Values into the ExpressionTaking it from Here
Understanding Position DataArray IndexAccessing Array DataWiggle on One AxisValueArray Isn’t Just Position
Source Text ExpressionsBuilding a Number CounterRounding Numbers
Set Up the SceneDefine IfIf This Is True…Or Else!Moving Forward
The Internet Is Your FriendThe Expression GuideGo Read Another Book

Content preview from Adobe After Effects

Keyframe Animation

Let’s get to animating. In the previous section, we discovered that pretty much all attributes in After Effects are controlled by a number. In this section, we’ll add keyframes to those numbers. Keyframes are what control animation, and allow us to change those numbers over time.

We’re going to have the UFO fly in from off-screen, pause, then fly off. Let’s make sure we’ve done everything we need to do to be prepared.

Make sure the playhead is at the beginning of the timeline.

The timecode at the top-left of the timeline should read 0;00;00;00, and the blue playhead should be at the far left of the timeline. If they’ve shifted while you’ve been playing around, do any of the following: