Training discs for After Effects

PACKAGE INCLUDES

 •  Format - DVD-ROM
 •  Duration - 6.5 Hours of Beginner to Intermediate Training
 •  Author - Luisa Winters
 •  Platform - Windows & Mac OS
 

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Total Training for Adobe After Effects CS4 Essentials introduces you to the wonderful world of motion graphics and the fundamentals of After Effects. After watching this training, youll know all about creating basic animations, text animation, tracking and stabilizing, basic keying and compositing, basic 3D animation. Plus, youll get an insiders view of some of the new features of After Effects CS4. Whether you are new to After Effects, or brushing up on a technique, this series is just what you need to get up to speed fast.

Highlights

 •  Learn animation basics including keyframing and interpolation.
 •  Discover best practices for working with masks.
 •  See how to use the Puppet Tools.
 •  Get an introduction to working with the 3D Engine.
 •  Learn about applying layer blending modes.

COURSE OUTLINE

Chapter 1: WHAT'S NEW IN ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS CS4 (14 min)
1. Working with Photoshop? 3D Layers
2. Using Dynamic Link to Remove Noise in Soundbooth?
3. The New Timeline Search Feature & Pre-comp Flow Chart
4. Introducing the Cartoon Effect

Chapter 2: INTRODUCTION TO AFTER EFFECTS (46 min)
1. Basic Video Concepts
2. Importing Files
3. Project Panel Overview
4. Creating a New Composition
5. Placing Footage in the Composition
6. Creating a Film Strip Effect with Multiple Movies
7. Timeline Panel Overview
8. Timeline Switches, Time Ruler & Work Area
9. Composition Panel Overview

Chapter 3: ANIMATION BASICS (33 min)
1. Exploring the Transform Properties
2. Introduction to Keyframing
3. Interpolating Keyframes
4. Practicing Interpolation
5. Copying & Pasting Keyframes
6. Creating a Loop

Chapter 4: WORKING WITH MASKS (44 min)
1. Introduction to Masks
2. Animating Masks
3. Working with Mask Interpolation
4. Rotoscoping
5. Using Masks for Position Keyframes
6. Creating a Simple Animation Using Masks

Chapter 5: ANIMATING TEXT (29 min)
1. An Introduction to Text in After Effects
2. Using Text Presets
3. Creating Text on a Path
4. Creating a Preset
5. Animators: Range Selector
6. Animators: Add Property
7. Animators: Two or More Range Selectors
8. Animators: Adding a Wiggly Selector
9. Working with Text from Photoshop

Chapter 6: ANIMATION HELP 29:54 min)
1. Using Motion Sketch & the Smoother
2. Using the Wiggler
3. Working with Auto-Orient & Split Layer
4. Time Remapping
5. Animating Stills Using the Anchor Point

Chapter 7: PARENTING & BASIC EXPRESSIONS (39 min)
1. Parenting Basics & Null Objects
2. Animated Man Exercise
3. Stacking Ruler Exercise
4. Text Animation Exercise
5. Introduction to Basic Expressions
6. Applying Expressions for Wiggle & Loop
7. Using Expressions with Audio Files

Chapter 8: BASIC COMPOSITING (38 min)
1. Applying Layer Blending Modes
2. Creating a Track Matte
3. Keying & Keylight
4. Compound Effects: Gradient Wipe & Displacement Map
5. Compound Effects: Wave World & Caustics
6. Pre-composing & Nesting

Chapter 9: STABILIZING & TRACKING (27 min)
1. Stabilizing a Shot
2. Tracking a Point
3. The Tracker Panel & Motion Tracker Options
4. Corner Pin Tracking
5. Mocha for After Effects

Chapter 10: PARTICLES & PAINT (21 min)
1. Introduction to Particle Playground
2. Breathing Tiger Exercise
3. Introduction to Paint
4. Creating an Invisible Pen Effect

Chapter 11: INTRODUCTION TO THE 3D ENGINE (33 min)
1. Introduction to Camera Angles & Monitor Views
2. Creating 3D Text with Lights & Shadows
3. Setting Up a 3D Scene
4. Animating a 3D Scene
5. Working with Vanishing Point

Chapter 12: SHAPE LAYERS & THE PUPPET TOOLS (20 min)
1. Creating a Shape Layer
2. Animating Shapes with Repeater & Brainstorm
3. Using the Puppet Pin & Puppet Starch Tools
4. Using the Puppet Overlap Tool
5. Animating with the Puppet Tools

Chapter 13: RENDERING & EXPORTING (17 min)
1. Using the Render Queue
2. Working with Adobe Clip Notes
3. Exporting for Flash?
4. Credits

PACKAGE INCLUDES

 •  Format - DVD-ROM
 •  Duration - 9.17 Hours of Beginning to Intermediate Training
 •  Author - Ko Maruyama
 •  Platform - Windows & Mac OS
 

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Discover the world of animation with After Effects CS3 Essentials. Hosted by professional animator Ko Maruyama, these training videos focus on new features and essential tools including Shape Layers, the Puppet Tool and Brainstorm. You’ll also learn how to use many of the new effects found in After Effects CS3 as well as how to import Photoshop Layer Styles. Learn the tricks you need to get on your way to producing high-end animations.

Highlights

 •  Learn how to create and animate graphics with new Shape Layers.
 •  Find out how you can bring your animation to life with the new Puppet Tool.
 •  Conjure up some suggested variants in your animations with the new Brainstorm user interface.
 •  Discover how to master some of the new Effects in After Effects CS3.
 •  Experience a streamlined workflow as you learn how to import your existing Photoshop layers.

COURSE OUTLINE

Part 1

Lesson 1: OVERVIEW OF AFTER EFFECTS CS3 (42 min)
1. Setting Preferences
2. Importing Illustrator? Files
3. Introducing the Shape Layer
4. Reusing Compositions
5. Animating with the Puppet Tool
6. Creating a Ramp Effect
7. Understanding Masks & Modes
8. Basic Keyframing
9. Animating a Title
10. Setting Up a Render

Lesson 2: NAVIGATING THE WORKSPACE (46 min)
1. Manipulating Panels & Creating a New Workspace
2. Examining the Project Pane
3. Information & Thumbnails in the Project Pane
4. Shortcuts to Find, Delete & Create a New Folder
5. Introducing Compositions & Timelines
6. Exploring the Composition Window
7. Examining the Icons & Columns in the Timeline
8. Navigating the Timeline & Adding Markers
9. Working with Layers in the Timeline

Lesson 3: IMPORTING & COLLECTING FOOTAGE (33 min)
1. Prepping an Image in Photoshop? or Illustrator
2. Importing Footage & Image Sequences
3. Importing as a Composition
4. Importing Layer Styles
5. Using the Edit Original Command
6. Saving as a Photoshop Document

Lesson 4: KEYFRAMING PARAMETERS (33 min)
1. Understanding Layer Parameters
2. Creating Simple Keyframes
3. Differentiating Anchor & Position
4. Selecting & Modifying Keyframes
5. Managing Temporal Speed
6. Using Hold Keyframes

Lesson 5: PARENTING, NESTING & INTRO TO EXPRESSIONS (33 min)
1. Linking Children to Parents
2. Creating a Precomposition
3. Keyframing Time
4. Parenting & More Parenting
5. Bringing It All Together
6. Final Comments & Credits

Part 2

Lesson 1: EFFECTS & ADJUSTMENTS (39 min)
1. Locating & Applying Effects
2. Using the Checkerboard Effect
3. Using the Distort & Transition Effects
4. Applying Effects to a Bitmap Image & a Shape Layer
5. Layering Priority
6. Saving an Animation Preset
7. Applying Multiple Instances of the Same Effect
8. Using a Layer to Define the Effect on Another Layer
9. Using Adjustment Layers

Lesson 2: MASKS, MATTES & MODES (43 min)
1. Applying Masks with the Vector Tool
2. Editing & Animating Mask Properties
3. Using Auto-trace to Generate Masks
4. Using Transparency & Masks to Reveal Images
5. Understanding Path Relationships
6. Using Shape Layers
7. Using a Track Matte
8. Preserving Transparency
9. Using a Composition as a Layer

Lesson 3: USING THE TYPE TOOL (46 min)
1. Setting Up the Character & Paragraph Palettes
2. Adding Text
3. Modifying Character Formatting
4. Fill & Stroke Options
5. Exploring the Paragraph Options
6. Creating Text from Photoshop? Layers
7. Introducing Animation Perimeters
8. Using Text Animators
9. Range Selector Basics
10. Converting Text to Outlines
11. Replacing Fonts & Another Type Treatment Example

Lesson 4: EXPORTING & OUTPUTTING (21 min)
1. Exporting as an SWF File
2. Exporting to Clip Notes
3. Making a Movie
4. Controlling Render Settings

Lesson 5: NEW TOOLS & FEATURES (33 min)
1. Introducing Shape Layers
2. Working with Shape Fills
3. Animating Shape Layers
4. Exploring Photoshop Integration
5. Using the Puppet Tool
6. Introducing 3D Type
7. Brainstorming with Eects

Lesson 6: SETTING PREFERENCES (11 min)
1. Setting General Preferences
2. View, Display, Import & Output Preferences
3. Appearance, Memory & Saving Preferences
4. Exploring New Preference Options

Lesson 7: TIPS, TRICKS & BEGINNER QUESTIONS (16 min)
1. Tips for Importing & Interpreting Footage
2. Managing Source Material
3. Making a New Composition
4. Working with Ram
5. Using the Collect Files Feature
6. Final Comments & Credits

PACKAGE INCLUDES

 •  Format - DVD-ROM
 •  Duration - 7 Hours of Intermediate to Advanced Training
 •  Author - Ko Maruyama
 •  Platform - Windows & Mac OS
 

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Get ready to dive in deeper than basic editing and compositing with these entertaining and educational videos on the advanced feature set in After Effects. You'll explore the 3D environment to understand better how to work with 3D cameras and add realistic lighting and shadows. Plus, test drive tools that you may have never ventured to try before, such as painting and keying. Ko wraps up the course with a closer look at the all new Puppetry and Shapes tools.

Highlights

•  Now that you've mastered the 2D features found in the After Effects Essentials series, you're ready to understand the possibilities of 3D within After Effects.
• Explore the advanced features and expressions to take full advantage of the Javascript within After Effects.
• Learn how to combine painting, motion tracking, text and keying, so that you can approach any animation or composites in After Effects with confidence that you can get it done.
• Animating the 3D layers with a 3D camera can add dynamic, organic looks to your composite. The key to making this work is to understand how to manipulate the various parts of each 3D element.
• The puppetry tools help you deform layers in ways that you had never considered before. With an auto-tracing feature you can quickly start animating with this active tool.

COURSE OUTLINE

Disc One

Lesson 1: UNDERSTANDING THE 3D ENVIRONMENT (46 min)
1. Introducing OpenGL?
2. Stepping into the Third Dimension
3. Rotating a 3D Layer
4. Using Camera Views
5. Understanding Coordinates
6. Introducing Camera Tools
7. Using View Layouts
8. Switching Access Modes
9. Using Parenting & Layering

Lesson 2: INTRODUCING 3D CAMERAS (27 min)
1. Adding a Camera & Setting Presets
2. Understanding the Camera Objects
3. Animating the Camera
4. Working with Depth of Field
5. Animating Focal Distance

Lesson 3: LIGHTS & MATERIAL OPTIONS (43 min)
1. Setting Up the 3D Environment
2. Building a Paper Submarine
3. Animating 3D Elements
4. Introducing Lights
5. Lighting & Shadows
6. Modifying Material Options
7. Working with Vanishing Point

Lesson 4: ADVANCED EXPRESSIONS (60 min)
1. Introducing More Expressions
2. Targeting Parameters
3. Linking Points of Interest
4. Driving Expressions Using Parameters
5. Driving Expressions Using Keyframe Data
6. Applying Effects
7. Applying Slider Effects
8. Using the Random Expression
9. Copying & Pasting Existing Expressions
10. Working with Parenting & Expressions
11. Working with Scripts

Lesson 5: MOTION TRACKING (51 min)
1. Introducing Motion Tracking
2. Tracking a Single Object
3. Targeting Tracking Data
4. Offsetting Trackers
5. Using the Motion Stabilizer
6. Tracking with Effects
7. Pinning Corners
8. Applying a 4-Point Track

Lesson 6: PAINTING WITH AFTER EFFECTS (70 min)
1. Introducing Paint Tools
2. Exploring Strokes & Brushes
3. Adjusting Paint in the Timeline
4. Animating Paint Strokes
5. Animating Strokes with Hold Keyframes
6. Animating the Brush Properties
7. Working with Photoshop? Animations
8. Painting on RGB & Alpha Channels
9. Linking Paths & Paint Shapes
10. Controlling a Shape Path with a Paint Path
11. Erasing Paint
12. Creating a Write-On Effect
13. Final Comments & Credits

Disc Two

Lesson 1: PUPPETRY IN AFTER EFFECTS (69 min)
1. Introducing Puppet Pins
2. Adjusting the Mesh
3. Adjusting the Mesh Priority: Part 1
4. Adjusting the Mesh Priority: Part 2
5. Redrawing the Mesh
6. Masking with Puppet Pins
7. Starching Areas
8. Using Motion Sketch
9. Sketching the Mesh
10. Using Forward Kinematics
11. Using Puppetry in Inverse Kinematics
12. Exploring Parenting in Inverse Kinematics
13. Setting Animation with Inverse Kinematics

Lesson 2: CREATING SHAPE LAYERS (60 min)
1. Using Layers from Illustrator?
2. Using Paths from Illustrator
3. Introducing Shape Primitives
4. Exploring Further with Shape Primitives
5. Creating Shapes with the Pen Tool
6. Manipulating the Entire Image
7. Working with Subdivided Splines
8. Adding Gradients to Shapes
9. Bringing the Shape Layers Together

Lesson 3: ADVANCED TEXT ELEMENTS (61 min)
1. Introducing Advanced Text
2. Using the Range Selector
3. Using the Wiggly Selector
4. Animating Range Selectors
5. Changing Selector Properties
6. Animating a Blur & Fire Effect
7. Introducing 3D Transformations
8. Applying Lights & Cameras to 3D Text
9. Working with Advanced Colour Depth

Lesson 4: ADVANCED KEYING (56 min)
1. Exploring Basic Keying Effects
2. Using Colour Sampling Effects
3. Applying the Keylight Filter
4. Adjusting the Key
5. Adjusting the Image
6. Saving Your Key
7. Cropping with Keylight
8. Compositing with Keys
9. Rotoscoping with Masks
10. Tracking with Masks
11. Rotoscoping with Paint Tools

Lesson 5: EXPLORING POPULAR EFFECTS (10 min)
1. Using a 4-Color Gradient
2. Creating Shattered Text
3. Final Comments & Credits

These instructional videos hosted by Steve Holmes, an award-winning British designer and animator, are indispensable for learning the basics of the industry-standard tool for motion graphics and special effects design and production. With over 14 hours of indexed tutorials, you will learn incredible ways to control keyframes, use parenting and time remapping, understand and use powerful masking and blending modes, create mattes, and use adjustment layers to add complex, yet simple, impact to your animations.

Running Time: 14 hours.
Format: DVD-ROM.

Steve Holmes, an award-winning British designer and animator, leads you through After Effects' professional feature set. The lessons focus on important aspects of special effects, rotoscoping, expressions, and 3D motion graphics. Take a journey into After Effects' incredible 3D world, with lights, cameras, motion and expressions for realistic animation. Plus, advance your skills to the next level with an in-depth and practical look at the effects, techniques, tips, and tricks used for high-end productions.

Running Time: 12 hours.
Format: DVD-ROM.