After Effects | Workshop 1

Notes from workshop 1.

Including: basics of ae, creating compositions, keyboard shortcuts...


• To create a new file: Composition > New composition
• Preset > HDTV 1080 25 (we will be using this when we create our motion graphics)
• Duration, standard is 30 seconds. We can set to 10.
• Project panel now has file name in it.

Key Frames

• Layer > New > Solid..  to create a solid shape
• Spacebar plays the animation
• Red bar on the timeline represents the solid/shape/piece of media.

Making things move

• Transform drop-down menu on the bottom left.
• Click stop-watch in front of command to activate on timeline (e.g. position)

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Position - P
• Rotation - R
• Opacity - T
• Scale - S
• Reveal all animated properties - U

Anchor points

• Layer > New > Solid..

• The anchor point is in the centre of a solid/shape. When rotated, it will rotate around that anchor point.

• Y key on keyboard allows you to pick up and move anchor point.

After Effects is a tough time, really