Software session with Mike Flower

After Effects - Whatever you create changes over time.   Technical term for that is -  working Spatially and temporarily. 

Menu at top of screen. Can alter settings for workspace.  

Today using Standard. 

Project panel. Top left (everything you create is called a project)

Store all assets for animation. 

file>import to get assets into panel.  Images need to be prepared else where ready. 

Coloured outline highlights active panel.  

Bottom panel is where assets are arranged within the time frame. When something happens. (time line)

Top Right. Is the composition window - where we will be able to see project playing back.  

Each project has got to contain one composition.  

so... create a composition.  Composition>new composition. 

Dialog box - (preset) NTSC american video standard  frames a second and PAL UK video standard 25 frames a second.  

Working with still images chose a square pixel PAL. if a Video use other. 

For this project working in PAL D1/DV Widescreen square pixel.

If you need to change these settings. composition>composition settings. 

to retrieve assets - another way. Layer>new>solid

Similarities between after effects and photoshop. 

Create a lot of solid assets and arrange on time line using drag arrow etc. 

Ram-preview (highlighted) Plays at the correct rate.This is how to reduce image size.  

LAYER PROPERTIES.

Click on the arrow and then more information is shown about the imported asset.
this information can also e altered manually.
when the image is moved around the composition -  this information will also change.

KEY FRAMES.
A point in time where a significant change occurs.
Click on position.  This then creates small diamond symbol on the scroll bar.
You are then able to move your object from one side of the screen to the other with it constantly being in view.

 

To make the image move more quickly move the diamonds closer together. 

Layer Property Short Cuts.
P = Position
A = anchor Point
R = Rotation
S = Scale
T = Opacity

O = out point of current layer
I = In Point of current layer

B = beginning of work area
N = End of work area.

U = Reveal all animated properties
UU = reveal all modified properties.

To save
composition>add to render Queue
A new tab appears in time line.

click 'best settings' then check time span. usually would be 'length of comp.'
Then check Lossless>format options>video codec> H.264 (for this specific video to go onto the internet)
Click ok
Then 'output to' save wherever wanted.  then Render.