Adobe After Effects - E-Learning

About Course

Embark on a creative journey with Spectrum Film School’s online course in Adobe After Effects CC. Unleash your imagination as you dive into the dynamic realm of digital visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing. With our expert-led training and 50+ engaging practice projects, you’ll master the art of After Effects, bringing your ideas to life in stunning visuals and captivating VFX compositions. Ignite your passion for media arts and join us in crafting a world of limitless possibilities.

How to use all of After Effects CC - in a dynamic, hands on approach.
Boost your creativity by completing 50+ Practice Activities and projects from simple to complex.
Create Motion Graphics to enhance your videos using a step by step, easy-to-use method.
Practice compositing techniques to achieve stunning video effects.
How to use specialized visual effects such Motion Tracking, Camera Tracking, Chromakeying, Rotoscoping, Stabilizing and many more…
Master Visual Time Effects on Videos and Motion Graphics.
Work in 3D space with Cameras, Lights and Shadows and practice your new skills with 3D Motion Graphics Projects.
How to Import and animate Illustrator Vector Graphics.
Create advanced Text Animation in 2D & 3D – cool stuff only in After Effects.
And much more for you to become an expert in Motion Graphics, Visual Effects and Compositing
Work with the latest Responsive Design Techniques

Course Content

Introduction to After Effects interface and basic animations
After Effects is a powerful digital visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing application developed by Adobe Systems. The interface of After Effects consists of various panels and tools used for animation and visual effects creation. Here are the basics:

Project panel: displays all the files used in the project.

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Composition panel: shows the visual elements of a composition in the timeline.

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Timeline panel: displays the layers and keyframes of a composition.

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Effects & Presets panel: contains various built-in effects and presets.

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Tools panel: contains various tools for selecting, moving, and transforming layers.

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Import assets into the project panel.

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Create a new composition and add the assets as layers.

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Use the transform properties (position, scale, rotation, opacity) to animate the layers.

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Add keyframes to the transform properties to create movement.

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Preview the animation in the composition panel.

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Repeat the process to add additional layers and elements to the composition.

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Keyframe animation and animation principles
Keyframe animation is a fundamental aspect of motion graphics and visual effects in After Effects. Keyframes are used to set specific values for an effect or property at a specific time in the timeline. The software then automatically generates the values between those keyframes to create smooth and seamless animation.

Timing: refers to the pace and rhythm of an animation.

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Easing: refers to the speed of an animation as it starts and stops.

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Squash and Stretch: refers to the amount of distortion in an object as it moves.

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Anticipation: refers to the action that precedes a main action in an animation.

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Follow Through and Overlapping Action: refers to the way objects continue to move after the main action has finished.

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Arcs: refers to the natural movement of objects in a curved path.

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Secondary Action: refers to additional movements that reinforce the main action.

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Exaggeration: refers to the amplifying of an action to create emphasis.

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various properties including position, scale, rotation, opacity, and more.

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Understanding After Effects

Importing and organizing assets

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Layer transformations, masking, and shape layers

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Effects and plugins

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Text animations and character rigging

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Motion graphics and graphic design

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3D compositing and camera animation

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Particles and special effects

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Audio synchronization and sound design

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Advanced techniques and expressions scripting

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Rendering and export

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Introduction to visual effects and the VFX pipeline
Visual effects (VFX) refers to the process of creating and integrating computer-generated imagery (CGI) into live-action footage to enhance the scenes. The VFX pipeline involves several stages, including pre-production, on-set data collection, pre-visualization, animation, simulation, compositing, and final grading.

Keying and green screen removal
Keying and green screen removal are techniques used in the VFX pipeline to remove a solid-colored background from live-action footage and replace it with a different background. The process is commonly referred to as "chroma keying" or simply "keying".

Motion tracking and stabilization
Motion tracking and stabilization are techniques used in the VFX pipeline to accurately track the movement of objects in live-action footage and stabilize shaky camera shots.

Rotoscoping and masking
Rotoscoping and masking are techniques used in the VFX pipeline to isolate and separate specific elements in live-action footage for further manipulation.

2D and 3D compositing
2D and 3D compositing in After Effects refers to the process of combining multiple elements, such as images, videos, and 3D elements, into a single composition.

Color correction and grading
Color correction and grading in After Effects refers to the process of adjusting the color, brightness, and saturation of the elements in a composition to enhance the overall look and feel of the final product.

Video Copilot Element 3D in After Effects
Element 3D is a third-party plugin for After Effects that allows users to import and manipulate 3D objects and elements within the After Effects environment.

Red Giant Universe in After Effects
Red Giant Universe is a collection of visual effects and tools for After Effects, Premiere Pro, and other video editing applications.

Boris FX Continuum in After Effects
Boris FX Continuum is a comprehensive visual effects plugin for After Effects and other video editing applications.

Trapcode Suite in After Effects
Trapcode Suite is a collection of plugins for After Effects that provide advanced particle effects, 3D models, and motion graphics tools.

VFX assets creation and preparing for animation
VFX assets creation and preparing for animation in After Effects involves several steps and techniques to create and refine visual effects elements for use in animations and other projects.

Particles, explosions and fire effects
Particles, explosions, and fire effects in After Effects involve using a combination of plugins, such as Particular, and techniques to create realistic and dynamic effects for use in animations and other projects.

Lighting, shadows and reflections
Lighting, shadows, and reflections in After Effects involve using a combination of techniques to create realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections for use in animations and other projects.

Advanced techniques for environmental effects
Environmental effects in After Effects refer to creating realistic natural and man-made environments and elements, such as forests, oceans, buildings, and more. Here are some advanced techniques for environmental effects in After Effects:

Rig removal and wire removal
Rig removal and wire removal in After Effects are techniques used to remove support structures, wires, and rigs used during filming, to create a clean and polished final shot. Here are some lessons to help with rig and wire removal in After Effects:

Sound design for visual effects
Sound design is an important aspect of visual effects and can greatly enhance the overall impact of a visual effects project. Here are some lessons for sound design in After Effects:

Final output and rendering for delivery
Rendering is the process of creating a final output of a visual effects project, ready for delivery. Here are some lessons for final output and rendering in After Effects:

What Next
Congratulations to you for completing the After Effects VFX course! Here are some steps for the next steps to continue their journey in visual effects:

About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Project panel: displays all the files used in the project.

Composition panel: shows the visual elements of a composition in the timeline.

Timeline panel: displays the layers and keyframes of a composition.

Effects & Presets panel: contains various built-in effects and presets.

Tools panel: contains various tools for selecting, moving, and transforming layers.

Import assets into the project panel.

Create a new composition and add the assets as layers.

Use the transform properties (position, scale, rotation, opacity) to animate the layers.

Add keyframes to the transform properties to create movement.

Preview the animation in the composition panel.

Repeat the process to add additional layers and elements to the composition.

Timing: refers to the pace and rhythm of an animation.

Easing: refers to the speed of an animation as it starts and stops.

Squash and Stretch: refers to the amount of distortion in an object as it moves.

Anticipation: refers to the action that precedes a main action in an animation.

Follow Through and Overlapping Action: refers to the way objects continue to move after the main action has finished.

Arcs: refers to the natural movement of objects in a curved path.

Secondary Action: refers to additional movements that reinforce the main action.

Exaggeration: refers to the amplifying of an action to create emphasis.

various properties including position, scale, rotation, opacity, and more.

Understanding After Effects

Importing and organizing assets

Layer transformations, masking, and shape layers

Effects and plugins

Text animations and character rigging

Motion graphics and graphic design

3D compositing and camera animation

Particles and special effects

Audio synchronization and sound design

Advanced techniques and expressions scripting

Rendering and export

Pre-production

On-set data collection

Pre-visualization

Animation

Simulation

Compositing

Final grading

Keying and green screen removal Keying and green screen removal are techniques used in the VFX pipeline to remove a solid-colored background from live-action footage and replace it with a different background. The process is commonly referred to as "chroma keying" or simply "keying".

Preparing the Footage

Keying

Cleanup

Compositing

Final adjustments such on color correction, lighting, and shadow matching

Motion tracking and stabilization Motion tracking and stabilization are techniques used in the VFX pipeline to accurately track the movement of objects in live-action footage and stabilize shaky camera shots.

Motion Tracking

Camera Stabilization

2D and 3D Tracking

Planar Tracking

Point Tracking

Rotoscoping and masking Rotoscoping and masking are techniques used in the VFX pipeline to isolate and separate specific elements in live-action footage for further manipulation.

Rotoscoping

Masking

Keyframe-based Rotoscoping

Spline-based Rotoscoping

Mask Refinement

2D and 3D compositing 2D and 3D compositing in After Effects refers to the process of combining multiple elements, such as images, videos, and 3D elements, into a single composition.

2D Compositing

3D Compositing

Layers and Masking

Effects and Plug-ins

Element 3D

Animation and Keyframing

Color correction and grading Color correction and grading in After Effects refers to the process of adjusting the color, brightness, and saturation of the elements in a composition to enhance the overall look and feel of the final product.

Color Correction

Color Grading

Color Space and Gamma Correction

Primary and Secondary Correction

Matching Shots and Stylization

Video Copilot Element 3D in After Effects Element 3D is a third-party plugin for After Effects that allows users to import and manipulate 3D objects and elements within the After Effects environment.

3D Model Import

Material and Texturing

Particle Systems and Effects

Advanced Camera Control

Performance and Render Quality

Red Giant Universe in After Effects Red Giant Universe is a collection of visual effects and tools for After Effects, Premiere Pro, and other video editing applications.

Best Red Giant plugins