Fundamentals of Adobe After Effects CS4

Objectives

This course introduces delegates to the basic concepts of working with After Effects CS4. It aims to give delegates the confidence to begin using the application in a professional environment to produce smooth animation and sophisticated special effects.


Pre-requisites:

Experience of the Windows or Macintosh operating system or previous attendance on the equivalent training course.


Course Includes:

A comprehensive set of reference notes covering course topics, follow-up telephone support and, for training on Transmedia premises, lunch and refreshments.


Course Outline


Introduction to the Interface


· Project panel
· Composition window
· Timeline window
· Layer & footage window
· Using QuickSearch to find elements in a comp or project


Importing footage


· Photoshop files/CS4 Integration
· Illustrator files
· Movies (QuickTime; AVI)
· Audio


Animation Essentials


· Understanding Keyframe interpolation & Assistant
· Animating Transform properties
· Animation Assistants
· Using the wiggler
· Using the smoother
· Using auto orientate
· Parenting
· Pre-compose


Working with Masks, Mattes


· Working with Masks
· Mask properties
· Working with Layers
· Blending Modes
· Track mattes







Effects


· Levels, Curves
· Colour correction
· Blurs, glows
· Fractal noise
· Animation Presets
· Using the cartoon effect


Text


· Creating Text in After Effects
· Formatting
· Presets, saving presets
· Creating custom text (text animators)


Keying


· Keying footage
· Introduction to Keylight
· Matte Choker


Introduction to 3D Animation


· Working with 3D layers
· Working with cameras
· Working with lights
· 3D views, Axes
· Importing 3D models from Photoshop CS4


Export


· The render Queue
· Output settings
· File formats
· Compression settings
· Export for Web, mobile devices
· Export Clip Notes