After Effects Introduction

• Blue line= active panel
• Ae makes temporary files as you go

After effects has two main functions:

• Special effects software
• Animation software (we will be using this one)

PROJECT

•  Files are called projects

TIMELINE

• Two parts- similar to PS layers
• The Time Ruler is used to arrange assets; what happens when 

COMPOSITION PANEL

• This is where you see your end product

Composition settings

• NTSC= American format
• PAL= EU format (we will be using this one)
• PSAL D1/DV WIDESCREEN SQUARE PIXEL
• Video dimensions are pixels
• Frame rates are 25 frames per session 

• Blue text/numbers means you can change it 

• File-import
• Solid layers = shape filled with colour

    
Layers 2 Options 

• Work with it Temporarilly
• Or Spacially: todo with composition window (where it exists within the frame)

Timeline 

• Click and drag arrow-change how long that layer will last for or 
• or when it appears in our composition
• Edit, duplicate
• Each layer can only contain one asset.
  

How to play back

• Button 1- Beginning
• Button 2- Previous frame
• Button 3- Play
• Button 4- Next frame
• Button 5- End
• Button 8- RAM preview (plays in real time)This way you see the PACE of the animation

Resolution- Quality of display in composition window whilst you're working:

• Full- max finished quality
• Half- every other pixel will move
• Third- 1 in every 3 will move
• Quarter- 1 in every 4 will move

Layer Properties

Transform- Properties we can change about this layer

Key Frames

A moment in time where a significant change occurs

Blue stop watch: Time vary stop watch

Blue diamond: Key frame

Black arrows with blue diamond: Moves key frames around, jumps from one to the next

• Work with key frames in the same way as the duration of the layer
• closer the key frames, the quicker the animation

Comp 1 from Ellie Chappell on Vimeo.