In this intermediate/advanced After Effects course, we’ll master text animations and create transitions between multiple layouts. Through several hands-on real-world projects integrating graphic elements with audio, video and photo elements, we'll master motion graphics workflow: the process motion graphics animators take, to create projects from design to final delivery.

In addition, we'll cover scripts to speed up your animation process, creating looping animations, working with mattes and masks, effective greenscreen removal, digital cell-phone screen replacement, rotoscoping live-action, morphing shape layers, integrating hand-drawn elements, JavaScript to automate animations in After Effects, animating UI's, working in After Effects 3D space, and much more.

This course has a prerequisite

Be comfortable with the basics of After Effects. This class builds on our After Effects Bootcamp, so you should have equivalent knowledge.

Learn the Skills Guarantee™

Hands-on training in small groups

Work on projects proven to boost retention
Time-tested curriculum and supporting materials

Refined over many cohorts for an optimal learning experience
Learn from industry experts with teaching experience

Experienced educators who are driven to help you succeed
Retake the course for free within one year

Refresh the materials and gain additional practice

Learn the concepts and skills covered in this course or your tuition is on us. See details and terms & conditions.

The teaching method at Noble Desktop is perfect and the classes provide you with infinite knowledge that makes you eager to take everything they offer. I love Noble!
—Ivonne Ackerman

What You’ll Learn

Integrate live footage with still-images & animated graphics
Create a simple character animation
Sync a text animation to audio with fluid transitions
Learn to master the latest motion graphics techniques
Track the movement of objects
Learn effective green screen removal
Set up and and animate Lower Thirds
Learn advanced compositing techniques
Create a dynamic background using layered effects and particles

Learn with Hands-on Projects

Learn practical skills by working on real projects with instructor guidance and lectures to strengthen and improve your skill.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Section 1

Vacation Stripes: Title Sequence with Custom Eases

Editing audio length & volume
Separately animating the X & Y Position properties
Customizing an ease using the Graph Editor & Keyframe Velocity
Using Alpha Mattes to hide/show text as it animates

Vacation Stripes: Working with Masks from Illustrator

Using Illustrator to create masks in After Effects
Repositioning & resizing masks
Animating the five stripes to arrive sequentially

Vacation Stripes: Drawing Simple Masks in After Effects

Using parenting to make the 12 noon text move with its container rectangle
Drawing masks using After Effects’ vector shape tools

Section 2

Superman: Simple Character Animation Using Masks

Converting an expression to keyframes for realistic hair animation
Using the Pen tool to create custom-shaped masks
Pre-composing to change layer size & animate multiple layers
Making the hero’s eyes blink using hold keyframes

Superman: Guide Layers, Text Presets, & Reverse Parenting

Rendering an animatic using import settings
Using a guide layer as an animation reference
Converting PSD layers to editable text & adding a text animation preset
Animating shapes
Adding an overshoot
Transitioning between layouts with reverse parenting

Superman: Shape Motion Paths & Audio

Syncing audio & adding text presets
Adding a property to a preset
Creating a shape layer
Creating a position motion path

Superman: More Transitions, Effects, & Camera Move

Using the Hue & Saturation effect to change colors
Adding a “camera move”

Section 3

Text Animation: Masking Layers & Using Scripts

Using scripts to automate tasks in After Effects
Hiding/showing moving layers using static alpha mattes
Creating an animation that overshoots its final position
More Illustrator masks in After Effects
Scattering the masked pieces & animating them to recombine

Text Animation: Creating a Transition Between Layouts

Using a guide layer as a positioning reference
Moving the lines of text with multiple words using null objects
Moving the lines away from the expanding chart using the guide layer
Splitting layers to “unparent” a child layer

Text Animation: Rotating Layers in 3D

Rotating each 3D line of text & graphic on its y-axis
How After Effects’ 3D camera influences layer perspective
Adding realistic oscillating overshoot keyframes
Syncing the text color changes with their graphic’s spin
Adding anticipation keyframes before a major animation
Stacking the graphics to form a solid color square

Text Animation: Animating Text Character-by-Character

Incorporating pre-animated comps into a larger project
Keeping vector layers in nested comps sharp
Animating the URL on a per-character basis
Transitioning from the gold square to reveal the logo

Section 4

T-Mobile Commercial: Motion Tracking to Remove a Logo

Splitting the interview clip
Adding solids for the mattes that will cover the logo
eathering the mask to soften its edges
Hiding the crocodile
Using the tracker to hide the logo
Refining the color of the patch using the Levels effect
Turning the video black & white

T-Mobile Commercial: Greenscreen Removal

Keying the backgrounds
Color correcting the scene to black & white
Creating a matte for the phone screen

Section 5

T-Mobile Commercial: 4-Point Tracking in mocha AE

Using mocha AE for planar tracking
Drawing the outer & planar surfaces
Doing the tracking & refining frames with misalignment
Compositing the T-Mobile screen
Luma mattes vs. alpha mattes
Using After Effects to manually track frames mocha AE has difficulty tracking

T-Mobile Commercial: Rotoscoping

Copying the rotoscoping path from Illustrator
Arranging the mask & the final result side-by-side
Setting keyframes for a mask path
Aligning the path every two frames and then every frame
Fine-tuning the mask path

T-Mobile Commercial: Animating the Exclamation Mark!

Revealing the exclamation mark’s stick
Revealing the dot & keeping its stroke width consistent
Adding & copying an expression

Section 6

T-Mobile Commercial: Animating the Logo & Backgrounds

Expanding the T-Mobile logo by animating its Z Position
Importing PNG sequences & using them as repeating tiling backgrounds
Stop motion exclamation rotation! (using hold keyframes)
Stop motion live footage: time remapping with hold keyframes

T-Mobile Commercial: Wipe Transitions & Shape Layer Fun

Animating the plane that will initiate a transition
Syncing a Linear Wipe transition with the plane’s flight
Cloning & animating a shape layer using the Repeater
Enhancing a 3D layer’s depth of field with a blur effect
Using a shape layer to initiate a Radial Wipe transition

T-Mobile Commercial: Lower Thirds & Final Transitions

Making the lower thirds appear & disappear using the Pan Behind tool
Animating the transition pattern & staggering its pieces
Freezing on the last frame
Transitioning to the end card
Animating the end card
Rendering

Schedule & Enrollment: After Effects Advanced

$975
18 Hours
NYC or Live Online
Free retake
Setup assistance
Expert instructors
Small classes

Discounts
Discounts
- 10% Alumni Discount: Get 10% off this course if you’ve previously taken any 12+ hour course.
- $100 Individuals Discount: Take $100 off this course if you’re an individual paying for yourself (you’re not being reimbursed by a company).
Discounts are applied at checkout (no promo code required) and will be verified after you place your order. Discounts are subject to change. Read our discount policies for more details.
• Policies

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August 17–September 2

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6–9pm
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August 23–25

Monday to Wednesday, 10–5pm
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November 8–10

Monday to Wednesday, 10–5pm
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This Course is Available Live Online

You can attend this training live online at the scheduled time the course is offered (New York, Eastern Time) through screen-sharing software Zoom (free for you).
Our live online training is interactive and hands-on, just like our in-person classes. There are no extra fees and we’ll work with you to ensure your setup is perfect

Classes are activity-based and taught by a live instructor.
You can hear the instruction, ask questions, and share your screen—all in real-time.
Retake the course for free (in-person or live online) within one year.

See What Students Are Saying About Live Online

“Overall experience on Zoom was maybe even better than in IRL classroom because the instruction takes place right on your own screen, with less distraction. Great overall experience.”
“Given the fact that we had to do this entire class remotely due to Covid-19, I didn’t have very high expectations it would run so smoothly. However, I don’t think it could’ve gone any better. Not only do I feel very comfortable with the program now, but I’m actually excited to use it!”
“This was the first online class I’ve taken with ND and it was a great experience. Looking forward to the other classes I’ve signed up for!”

Learn more about how our live online training works

Online Training Demo

1-Minute Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring anything to the class?

No. We provide computers (Mac or PC) with After Effects installed. Choose your operating system at checkout.
Does this course require any prior knowledge or experience?

Be comfortable with the basics of After Effects. This class builds on our After Effects Bootcamp, so you should have equivalent knowledge.
Do you offer any discounts for this course?
Discounts
- 10% Alumni Discount: Get 10% off this course if you’ve previously taken any 12+ hour course.
- $100 Individuals Discount: Take $100 off this course if you’re an individual paying for yourself (you’re not being reimbursed by a company).
Discounts are applied at checkout (no promo code required) and will be verified after you place your order. Discounts are subject to change. Read our discount policies for more details.

Take this course as part of a certificate program and save:
Do you offer payment plans or student financing for this course?

This course does not qualify for payments plans or student financing. See our Payment Plan FAQ to find related programs that qualify.
Can I take this course online (remote learning)?
You may attend this training virtually (online) at the scheduled time the course is offered (New York, Eastern Time).

How does attending “live online” work?
- Students can attend this training remotely through screen sharing software (we use Zoom).
- Participants can hear the instruction, ask questions, and even share their screen with the instructor.
- For audio you can use your computer’s microphone/speakers or call a phone number that we’ll provide.
- Classes are activity-based and taught by a live instructor, so we strongly encourage students who are local to the area to attend in person!
- You will need your own computer and copy of any required software. If you don’t have the software, you can usually do a free trial or purchase your own license. If you need assistance, contact us at hello@nobledesktop.com

Corporate & Onsite After Effects Training

Purchase group class vouchers at a discount for our regularly-scheduled group classes in NYC, or create a custom training program at your offices.

Private Training

Available onsite at your location
Modern computer labs available at our offices
Customize or choose from our existing courses
Free instructor consultations to finalize content

Group Class Vouchers

Send employees to our group classes
Extensive offerings and flexible scheduling
Simple billing and logistics
Computers and training resources provided

Learn Advanced Motion Graphics, Animation, & Visual Effects in After Effects

Go beyond the basics in this advanced After Effects course where you’ll work on animating transitions, character animation, expressions, green screen removal, motion tracking (both point-based and planar), using scripts, animation presets, shape layers, integrating hand-drawn elements, animating UIs, 3D text, and much more. Learn these skills with hands-on exercises in small classes led by a leading motion graphics instructor.

Industry Expert Instructor

This course is taught by a professional motion graphic designer who has experience teaching motion graphics and animation.
Custom After Effects Workbook Included

You get a custom workbook with step-by-step exercises that will guide you through creating travel promotional videos, character animations, a T-mobile ad, and more! Take it home with you—it’s like having a refresher course right on your desk.
Create Advanced Motion Graphics

In this intermediate/advanced After Effects course you’ll dive deeper into learning this powerful tool for motion graphics, character animation, and visual effects. You’ll create motion graphic animations, animated transitions, simple character animation, effective greenscreen removal, and much more.

Highly Reviewed by Our Alumni

From our hands-on training style to world-class instructors and proprietary curriculum, we deliver a learning experience our alumni can be proud of.

20 Students Rated Our After Effects Advanced 5 Stars

Kalika Kharkar Sharma is an excellent teacher and helped complicated material become digestible.

Sydney Meyers, Blue State Digital

The demos bring a daunting textbook to life and break everything down to manageable steps.

Don Jolovich, ESPN

Kalika is an extremely inspiring teacher. Very enthusiastic and a pleasure to learn from. Will take another class with her when I have a chance!

Traian Stanescu

I wish I could take a new Noble class every day; I would be an expert in no time.

Robert Booth, ESPN

After Effects Level 2 is a near perfect course. The marketing for it is on point; you touch on everything from animation to green screen removal to rotoscoping. Can’t think of another class that covers this much in such a short amount of time. Bravo Noble Desktop!

Benjamin Nazario

Great class and workflow! I feel more confident in my ability with AfterEffects and the instructor was interactive and really wants you to learn the program!

Liberty Mayo

So experienced!! Every time I had a roadblock, Kalika immediately knew what step I missed or what I did wrong. A true wealth of knowledge. I learned way more than I thought I would in 3 days. I would highly recommend to other designers and my co workers!

Christina, Stash Invest

If you're thinking that there's nothing you could possibly learn from this class, think again. Kalika does such a wonderful job of teaching, cheering you on and engaging the class that I looked forward to the next class before the current one had already ended.

Amanda

I came in with some ideas of what I could do with After-Effects but left the class totally blown away by all the things I can do now.

Mackenzie Robinson

The class was very informative and helped me take After Effects to the next level.

Michael Piersanti

In Kalika's After Effects class you'll learn a lot more than this Adobe app. With sensitivity and attention to detail, Kalika charmingly drops her own hard learned lessons of working as a professional graphic animator into every lesson at every opportunity. You can see the effort Kalika puts in to the lessons and during the class so students gain the most out of this course.

Dov Alpert

Noble's After Effects course is a very thorough and efficient way to get your feet wet with this robust program. I was exposed to more concepts and hands-on work in 3 weeks than I was at a full-time semester program elsewhere. Highly recommended.

Kylene Yen

Learning After Effects with Kalika Sharma is the best thing I did for myself this year. Her teaching style is incredible - she really wants you to learn! Noble Desktop is a gem, I highly recommend students to take advantage of their offer to retake the courses. I just did. Repetition is key.

Julia Lilkendey, Humantel, Saratoga Springs NY

Take this class if you want to thoroughly know Adobe After Effects

Elizabeth Heldrich

Noble Desktop's After Effects II class is a great way to advance you skills in this program. It is challenging, but their method of teaching allows you to advance at your own pace. You also get a step by step book so you can practice the lessons as many times as you need to on your own. This was the second class I have taken with Noble Desktop, and I hope to take many more. It is a really great way to learn.

Rose Mattrey, AAA Western and Central New York

It's interesting, normally when it comes to personalized attention and "extras" you only expect that kind of care from institutions that are more permanent school. You certainly don't expect it from a place that gives what essentially amounts to short/fast continuing education classes like Noble. Somehow though, they manage! Noble cares! It's quite a phenomena. It was as if I was in a 4 year school with professors who really cared about my success. Even outside of class. That's Commendable. I will continue to recommended Noble to others.

Erica Edwards

Really knowledgable instructors that walk you through the software step by step.

William Masso

I thoroughly enjoyed my After Effects Level 2 course. The instructor was very detailed and patient when working with students. I learned a lot from this class and it gave me new skills to put to work at my job as a Motion Designer. I plan on taking more classes from Noble Desktop!

Jon Wood, Flashtalking Inc.

The instructor was very smart, knowledgeable, easy going, and patient. Did a great job.

Nicholas Labisi

In After Effects 2 I have learned how to create more dynamic videos and have retained a number of helpful shortcuts that shorten my work time.

Akwele Vassall

This course has a prerequisite

Learn the Skills Guarantee™

Hands-on training in small groups

Time-tested curriculum and supporting materials

Learn from industry experts with teaching experience

Retake the course for free within one year

What You’ll Learn

Learn with Hands-on Projects

Course Syllabus

Section 1

Vacation Stripes: Title Sequence with Custom Eases

Vacation Stripes: Working with Masks from Illustrator

Vacation Stripes: Drawing Simple Masks in After Effects

Section 2

Superman: Simple Character Animation Using Masks

Superman: Guide Layers, Text Presets, & Reverse Parenting

Superman: Shape Motion Paths & Audio

Superman: More Transitions, Effects, & Camera Move

Section 3

Text Animation: Masking Layers & Using Scripts

Text Animation: Creating a Transition Between Layouts

Text Animation: Rotating Layers in 3D

Text Animation: Animating Text Character-by-Character

Section 4

T-Mobile Commercial: Motion Tracking to Remove a Logo

T-Mobile Commercial: Greenscreen Removal

Section 5

T-Mobile Commercial: 4-Point Tracking in mocha AE

T-Mobile Commercial: Rotoscoping

T-Mobile Commercial: Animating the Exclamation Mark!

Section 6

T-Mobile Commercial: Animating the Logo & Backgrounds

T-Mobile Commercial: Wipe Transitions & Shape Layer Fun

T-Mobile Commercial: Lower Thirds & Final Transitions

Schedule & Enrollment: After Effects Advanced

Discounts

August 17–September 2

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6–9pm

August 23–25

Monday to Wednesday, 10–5pm

November 8–10

Monday to Wednesday, 10–5pm

August 23–25

Monday to Wednesday, 10–5pm

November 8–10

Monday to Wednesday, 10–5pm

August 17–September 2

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6–9pm

This Course is Available Live Online

See What Students Are Saying About Live Online

Online Training Demo

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring anything to the class?

Does this course require any prior knowledge or experience?

Do you offer any discounts for this course?

Discounts

Take this course as part of a certificate program and save:

Do you offer payment plans or student financing for this course?

Can I take this course online (remote learning)?

How does attending “live online” work?

Corporate & Onsite After Effects Training

Private Training

Group Class Vouchers

Learn Advanced Motion Graphics, Animation, & Visual Effects in After Effects

Industry Expert Instructor

Custom After Effects Workbook Included

Create Advanced Motion Graphics

Highly Reviewed by Our Alumni

20 Students Rated Our After Effects Advanced 5 Stars

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