Adobe After Effects is a program that allows users to create animation and other special effects for graphic projects. Graphic designers use it to add layered animation to their designs. After Effects is part of the Adobe suite and is therefore compatible with other Adobe programs.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Create a New Composition and Import the Files
Step 1. Create a new composition
Projects in Adobe After Effects are called compositions or layouts. Find on the welcome screen, in the right column, the button "New Song" and click on it. If the program is already open, click on the "Composition" tab and select "New Composition" or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + N. Each time you create a new song, the Composition Settings window will appear.
- Not sure which resolution to choose? Find the line "Preset" and click on the drop-down menu. The menu is divided into four sections: Web Settings, Standard Definition Settings (NTSC and PAL), HD Settings (most commonly used), and Movie Settings. Choose the UHD 8K 23, 976 option, which is four times the 1080p HD resolution at 23, 976 fps. Going forward, try to always create effects in 8K.
- In the second row of options, find the Timecode Start and Duration options. Leave 0 for Start Timecode. Duration is responsible for the total duration of the project, from start to finish. Specify the required length of the composition in the "Duration" field.
Step 2. Save the composition
Be sure to name and save your project before starting your composition. Click the File tab at the top of the screen. When you choose "Save", the "Save As" window will appear. Enter the name of the song at the top of the window. Select a location to save the file and click the "Save" button at the bottom of the screen. The saved composition appears in the Project tab on the left side of the screen.
Although you can save the file anywhere, it is recommended that you save your composition next to the Footage file. This file is located in the "Exercise Files" folder
Step 3. Import the files into Adobe After Effects
To create a composition, you will need assets for manipulation and animation. Choose File> Import> File or double-click the Project tab. Select all the files you want to import and click Open. The imported files will appear in the Project tab. Alternative methods:
- Double-click anywhere on the Project tab.
- Press Command + I.
- Drag images directly to the Project tab.
Part 2 of 4: Composition with layers
Step 1. Add files to your composition
A composition is a stacked graphic or collection of layers. Each individual layer in a composition consists of a file. All layers are combined into composite graphics. You can add a file to a composition in several ways.
Drag files from the Project tab to the Timeline tab (lower-right corner of the window), to the Composition window (to the right of the Project tab), or to the Layer tab (below the Project tab)
Step 2. Compose and edit the layers
As soon as the files appear on the "Layer" tab, you can start to manipulate them: change the order of the files and edit their appearance.
- To adjust the layer hierarchy, drag the file up or down the list. The order of the files will change the appearance of the composition (note the Composition window). Files at the top of the layer list will appear on top of files at the bottom of the list.
- To change the appearance of the file, click on the triangle next to the layer number. This will open the Convert menu. In this menu, you can change the following properties: anchor point, position, scale, rotation and / or opacity.
Step 3. Create a timeline for your stacked graphics
The Timeline function allows you to animate graphics by controlling the appearance and fading of each layer. The Timeline is to the right of the Layer list. Each layer has its own activity bar on the timeline, which can be cropped, expanded, or grouped with other layers.
Step 4. Crop the layers
Select a layer from the list. Move the cursor over the line separating the layer list and the timeline so that a double arrow appears. Drag the double arrow along the timeline to create a semi-transparent gray rectangle (indicating that the clip is clipped). Stop as soon as you get to the point where the layer should appear.
The red line with a yellow nameplate shows the current time. Use this line to automatically crop the layers. Select the layer you want to crop. Drag the red line to the desired In point or Out point of the layer. Press Command + [(to automatically crop the layer to the right of the red line, press Command +])
Step 5. Convert 2D layers
Layers can be moved and transformed manually in the Composition window. Select a layer from the list. Hover over the Composition window and zoom out. A set of handles appear around the composition, indicating that the layer can be transformed or moved.
- To shrink or expand a layer, click on the handle, press ⇧ Shift, and drag to the inner or outer border of the window.
- To rotate an element, press Ctrl + W. This will activate the rotation tool.
- To move a layer onto a 2D plane, select the element you want to move and drag it to a new location.
Step 6. Create 3D layers
To create a 3D layer, go back to the Layer tab. The column directly below this icon is responsible for the 3D parameters of each layer. To activate this feature, check the blank space in this column. Return to the Composition window. If you did everything correctly, Y, X and Z markers will appear at the anchor point of the layer.
Step 7. Convert 3D layers
To move the 3D layer, press ⌘ Cmd + W. Move the cursor over the X or Y axis. Click on the axis and drag left and right or up and down. The value "0" of the Z axis must remain unchanged.
Step 8. Assign a parent link to your layers
The parent link feature allows you to link layers together. This way the parent layer will control the actions of the child layer. The child layer can be animated independently of the parent.
- Select the child layer (the layer you want to keyframes to).
- Find the "Parent" category on the layer tab.
- Find the curly q icon in the Parents column of the child layer. Click on the icon and draw a black line from it to the "Layer Name" section of the parent layer. This will bind the child layer to the parent.
Part 3 of 4: Add Animations, Effects, and Templates
Step 1. Set up keyframes
A keyframe marks the point in time at which a value is set for a layer property. Introduced by a small stopwatch, this feature allows you to animate compound graphics.
- Move the Current Time indicator to the point in time at which you want to insert the keyframe.
- Select a layer on the List tab.
- Expand the Transform or Content layer tab.
- Click on the stopwatch icon next to the property you want to change to write a keyframe to the current-time indicator. A yellow dot or over / under symbols appear in the timeline to indicate a keyframe.
- To display keyframes in the timeline, select the layers you want to view and press U.
- To nudge a keyframe, select the keyframe symbol in the timeline with the Lasso tool, and then drag it to a new location. Keyframes can also be copied and pasted.
Step 2. Animate keyframes
The project is animated using key frames. Each of the properties on the Transform or Content tab can be changed. There are two main forms of animation: free and linear. If a layer is loosely animated, its transition from motion to idle will be gradual. If the layer is animated linearly, then the animation will abruptly stop and start, while moving at the same speed. Changing the position of a layer is an example of linear animation.
- Click on the stopwatch next to Position.
- Move the red indicator to the point in time when the layer should disappear from the screen.
- Click on the anchor point of the layer.
- Hold down the Shift key and drag the layer off the screen. The motion path will be shown as a purple dashed line, and each associated keyframe will appear as a purple square. To preview the animation, swipe the red indicator across the timeline.
Step 3. Add effects and templates
Click on "Window" and "Effects and Templates." A list of various animations and effects that you can add to your project is displayed. Just drag the effect or animation onto one of the layers. The changes will take effect immediately.
- Effects include: 3D, color change and different camera angles.
- Transition options include motion, dissolve, and displacement.
- To remove items, simply drag and drop them from the project.
Part 4 of 4: Preview and Render the Composition
Step 1. Review your project
Select "Window". Here click on "Playback Control". A live preview panel will appear where you can click the Play button to see a draft of your project. If you want to see the finished version, click "Preview". If your project is extremely long or requires a lot of memory, adjust the resolution before previewing it. After starting playback, the video will play continuously until you stop it.
Step 2. Export your composition to the "Render Queue"
If you need to create a high quality composition, export your project to the Render Queue. This feature is built into Adobe After Effects.
- Click on "File" at the top of the window. Select Export, then Add to Render Queue. Alternatively, you can click Composition and select Add to Render Queue.
- In the render queue, find the Output Module section and click on the text to the left of it. A dialog box will appear on the screen. Here you can change the video and audio output settings. Click "OK" when done.
- In the render queue, find the Output To section and click on the text to the left of it. Another dialog box will appear on the screen. Here you will be asked to choose a location to save the finished composition. Click "OK" when done.
- Click on "Render" to export the composition.
Step 3. Export your composition to Adobe Media Encoder
Adobe Media Encoder creates a compressed version of the composition. Media Encoder also exports files that are compatible with specific web platforms. While the project is rendering in Media Encoder, you can continue working in Adobe After Effects.
- Click on "File" at the top of the window. Select Export and then Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue, or click the Composition menu and select Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue, or drag and drop the file directly into the Adobe Media Encoder Queue tab.
- Find "Presets". Choose a format for your composition. Drag this template from the list to the file in the Adobe Media Encoder Queues.
- Find the "Output to" section in the queue and click on the text to the left of this section. A dialog box will appear on the screen, in which you will be asked to select a location to save the finished composition. Click "OK" when done.
- Click on the green play button to start exporting.