After+Effects+-+Basics

Adobe After Effects is primarily used for creating motion graphics and visual effects. After Effects allows users to animate, alter and composite media in 2D and 3D space with various built-in tools and third party plug-ins, as well as individual attention to variables like parallax and user-adjustable angle of observation.

In this section of the course, we will learn how to add some effects to video as well as how to make items such as text come to life.

In order to get started you are going to need to learn the basics. Below you will find links to some videos from the good people at videocopilot.net. They are provided free of charge and will give you a basic working knowledge of the software. A link to each video has been provided as well as a link to their site. Should the website go down for some reason, the files will also be provided in the handout folder.

At the end of viewing the video you will be asked to create a simple video to demonstrate the knowledge you have obtained.

Good luck and happy viewing!

> Download Footage
 * 1) Visit the website videocopilot.net and go the the 'tutorials' section. Once there, click on the 'basic training' link found at the top of the page.
 * 2) Before viewing the videos be sure to download the necessary files. They can be found by clicking on the 'Download Footage' link or by simply clicking the link below. Be sure to save them to your Local Disc. See your teacher if you have any problems.

01 - Introduction In this tutorial we will go over how to import and organize footage in the project window. We will also cover footage properties, creating a new composition and using the playback controls.

02 - Effects In this tutorial we'll cover adding simple effects to footage and using the effects and presets pallete to find specific plug-ins. We'll also take a look at popular and commonly used effects.

03 - Animation In this tutorial we will cover animating and adding keyframes in after effects. You will learn to use smooth keyframes and add motion blur to animated layers as well as important shortcuts.

04 - Keying and Transparency In this tutorial we will take a look at how transparency works in After Effects. From simple color keying to masking and transfer modes. We will also cover using track-mattes with stock footage.

05 - Motion Tracking In this tutorial we will cover several types of motion tracking, including stabilizing a shaky shot, performing a sign replacement and motion tracking video to incorporate motion graphics seemlessly.

06 - Time Remapping In this tutorial we will cover how speed changes are done in After Effects. We will perform speed changes as well as speed ramps. Additionally we will discuss the difference between frame blending and pixel motion

07 - 3D Integration In this tutorial we will cover the basics of 3D in After Effects. You'll learn to turn any layer into 3D as well as create 3D lights and cameras. We will also take a look at depth of field and a 3D particle system.

08 - Titles Part 1 and Part 2 In this 2 part tutorial we will take a basic to advanced look at creating titles in After Effects. We will also get into powerful camera animation techniques and create a 3D particle systems.

09 - Expressions In this tutorial we will take a look at After Effects scripting which is called expression. This introductory look is intended to demonstrate what can be achieved with this powerful feature.

10 - Rendering In this tutorial we will cover the basics of rendering your composition. You can export for video editing applications, flash and DVD. We will also cover helpful render queue tips.

In class we will be using the render settings found here.

Your task is to create a 30-second composition that contains the following:
 * SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW**

1. A title sequence that is animated and contains your name and the course code. 2. A large image from the Internet (or one that you have captured) and then explore how to pan, zoom, rotate, and employ, motion blur and ease-in & ease out to create radical camera moves. 3. A clip from the Internet with two effects applied so that they change over time. 4. A clip from the Internet where the background has been removed and replaced with another clip.