Adobe After Effects CC 2014 Book

Step-by-Step Training Workbook:

Adobe After Effects is a powerful tool for animation and video post-production. It can be used to create stand-alone videos and animations but is often more powerful when used in conjunction with other programs such as Premiere to add special effects and titles to web and video content.

This book will take you from the basics of After Effects such as understanding the workspace and basic animation techniques, all the way through to advanced animation techniques, motion tracking, and particle effects.

Includes Downloadable Class Files (works on Mac & PC)
ISBN: 978-1-941333-10-5

Section 1
Intro to After Effects
  • The Project, Composition and Timeline panels
  • Splitting Layers
  • Color Correction
  • RAM Preview
Fade-Ins & Working with Text
  • Creating Fade-In Effect
  • Adding and Animating Text
Rendering
  • The Render Queue
  • Using Masks to Create a Vignette
Section 2
Getting Started & Basic Effects
  • Intro to Non-Destructive Effects
  • More Color Correction
  • Block Dissolve
  • Transition Effects
Mask Paths & Effects
  • Mask Paths
  • Block Dissolve Tricks
Position Animation & Keyframes
  • Keyframe Animations
  • Sharing Transition Effects Between Layers
Text Effects & Animation
  • Adding Titles
  • Animating Text
  • Lens Flares
Compositing & Exporting
  • Pre-Composing Layers
  • Block Dissolve
  • Exporting the Project
Section 3
Animating Masks
  • Isolating a Segment of Video
  • Using Illustrator for Complex Paths
Enhancing Colors
  • Duplicating Layers
  • Hue/Saturation Effect
Mimicking Fancy Camera Work
  • Adding a Cross-Dissolve
  • Using Scale to Fake a Camera Zoom
Using a Preset to Animate Text
  • Adding Text
  • Adding a Drop Shadow
  • Styling the Text with an Animation Preset
Section 4
Animating a Simple Mask
  • Isolating a Segment of Video
  • Using Illustrator for Complex Paths
Layering and Copying Masks
  • Duplicating Layers
  • Hue/Saturation Effect
Using Layers
  • Colorizing Effects
  • Lens Flare
  • Adjustment Layers
Editing Adjustment Layers
  • Animating Mask Paths
  • Rendering
Section 5
Elliptical Masks & More 3D Text Animation
  • Elliptical Masks
  • 3D Object Motion Path
  • 3D Animation
Mask Paths & Effects
  • Mask Paths
  • Block Dissolve Tricks
  • Echo Effects
Z-Axis Text Animation & Motion Blur
  • More 3D Animation
  • Adding Motion Blur Effects
Section 6
3D Lighting and the Wiggler
  • 3D Lighting Effects
  • Randomizing with “The Wiggler”
More 3D Fun: Lights, Rotation, Motion!
  • 3D Rotation
  • Lighting Effects
  • Creating Shadows
3D Cameras and Null Objects
  • Adding a Camera Layer
  • Viewing Text with a 3D Camera
Rendering & Exporting Options
  • Rendering Uncompressed Files
  • Rendering a Video with Transparency
  • Creating a Render Template
  • Saving a RAM Preview
  • Exporting a SWF
  • Exporting Images
Bonus Exercises
Creating a 3D Object
  • Creating a Cube
  • More Lighting Effects
  • The Unified Camera Tool
Animating a 3D Object
  • 3D Rotation via a Null Object
Casting Light and Shadow on 3D Objects
  • Lighting and Shadows on 3D Objects

Examples of What You Learn

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Animate text using 3D paths, echos, blurs & more.

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Learn how to build 3D objects incorporating video clips.

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Create a movie title sequence.

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Learn how to create 3D animations using 2D images.

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Adjust the color of moving images (such as these waterfalls).

Why Our Books Are Unique

Our books are packed with step-by-step exercises that walk you through projects. You’ll learn by doing exercises, not reading long explanations. The goal is to give you hands-on practice with the program, getting you started quickly with the things that are most important for real life work.

demonstration of different book formats: print, kindle, & mobile devices
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