Lynda.com After Effects Project Workflow

Author: Chad Perkins
Duration (hr:min): 03:18
Released on: 9/30/2009
Exercise files: Yes
Software works on: Mac and Windows

Understanding how a post-production application like After Effects fits within a larger workflow can be valuable. After Effects Project Workflow shows how to integrate the various parts of the Adobe Production Premium suite and other applications with After Effects in a real-world project. Adobe Certified Instructor and Expert Chad Perkins explores this integration as he creates an interesting project, building with static images, animation, sound, particles, video effects, and 3D elements to produce an impressive final project. Chad explains the creative process from paper to final project, and shows all the steps in between. Exercise files accompany this course.

Topics include:

• Planning a project in pre-production
• Creating a 3D robot in Cinema 4D
• Using kuler to establish a color palette
• Learning how to design a motion graphics project from an artistic perspective
• Preparing Photoshop and Illustrator content for animation in After Effects
• Using color to stylize and unify visual elements

Content:

1. Introduction - 04:59

    Welcome - 0:51 - 6.2 MB
    The project we'll be making - 1:33 - 3.9 MB
    What this title is and isn't - 1:06 - 1.3 MB
    Using the exercise files - 1:29 - 1.8 MB

2. Pre-Production - 02:17

    Planning the project - 2:17 - 8.2 MB

3. Creating Photoshop Assets - 20:56

    Understanding Photoshop's role - 0:27 - 0.8 MB
    Isolating subjects - 9:34 - 28.2 MB
    Using custom shapes and brushes - 6:19 - 10.6 MB
    Creating custom brushes - 4:36 - 14.6 MB

4. Creating Illustrator Assets - 08:12

    Understanding Illustrator's role - 0:49 - 1.1 MB
    Distributing components into layers - 2:50 - 4.1 MB
    Creating a banner - 3:05 - 4.8 MB
    Preparing the Illustrator files for After Effects - 1:28 - 2.6 MB

5. Creating 3D Elements - 25:42

    Introducing Cinema 4D - 1:22 - 5.2 MB
    Modeling the robot head and body - 6:37 - 12.9 MB
    Modeling the robot arm - 6:16 - 16.1 MB
    Animating components - 3:46 - 7.9 MB
    Applying textures - 2:38 - 4.4 MB
    Exporting for After Effects - 5:03 - 8.8 MB

6. Setting Up the After Effects Project - 14:54

    Importing elements correctly - 3:33 - 5.7 MB
    Deciding on comp size - 1:33 - 2.4 MB
    Using Kuler to select a color palette - 3:15 - 5.1 MB
    Making color palette solids - 3:40 - 5.7 MB
    Finding the comp midpoint - 1:00 - 1.5 MB
    Creating guides - 1:53 - 3.1 MB

7. Creating a Layout of the Assets - 38:25

    Creating a rough arrangement of assets - 4:15 - 7.5 MB
    Increasing efficiency with the Mirror effect - 2:19 - 4.1 MB
    Using Grow Bounds to fix the dragon - 1:18 - 2.1 MB
    Simulating motion with stills - 5:24 - 10.0 MB
    Using the Slip Edit tool on video - 2:43 - 5.0 MB
    Creating text for the banners - 3:51 - 6.7 MB
    Warping the text - 3:19 - 6.5 MB
    Smoothing the banner's edges - 1:33 - 2.7 MB
    Making other tweaks - 9:54 - 17.6 MB
    Fixing the sword with Simple Choker - 1:43 - 2.7 MB
    Masking with precomposing and mattes - 2:06 - 3.6 MB

8. Animating the Elements - 27:54

    Animating the text on the banner - 1:44 - 3.2 MB
    Arranging the elements in 3D space - 2:37 - 6.6 MB
    Making cracks with Advanced Lightning - 4:55 - 9.9 MB
    Creating music note particles with Foam - 6:28 - 11.9 MB
    Animating characters entering the scene - 3:23 - 6.5 MB
    Using scale to simulate bounce - 4:56 - 8.8 MB
    Making the final comp - 1:40 - 2.8 MB
    Animating the virtual camera - 2:11 - 3.7 MB

9. Correcting Color - 23:50

    Color-correcting the subject - 6:32 - 11.5 MB
    Color-correcting the dragons - 3:30 - 6.3 MB
    Stylizing the explosion - 4:50 - 8.5 MB
    Adding banner highlights with Ramp - 2:39 - 4.1 MB
    Colorizing other elements - 4:02 - 7.7 MB
    Using Layer Styles to color the background - 2:17 - 3.8 MB

10. Applying Final Touches - 11:40

    Faking rack focus - 3:29 - 6.2 MB
    Adding a vignette - 1:22 - 2.5 MB
    Fading the project in and out - 2:40 - 4.3 MB
    Making colors broadcast-safe - 1:17 - 2.0 MB
    Adding audio and exporting - 2:52 - 4.3 MB

11. Creating the Soundtrack in GarageBand - 18:26

    Importing the video - 2:53 - 3.8 MB
    Laying down the drums - 4:25 - 7.2 MB
    Adding the bass line - 3:02 - 5.1 MB
    Adding the lead synth - 6:48 - 11.8 MB
    Exporting for After Effects - 1:18 - 2.3 MB

Conclusion - 01:40

    Assignment: Completing the second side - 1:11 - 2.9 MB
    Goodbye - 0:29 - 1.9 MB