Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Adobe After Effects, a powerful motion graphics and visual effects software. Students will learn the basics of creating animations, visual effects, and motion graphics for video and film.
Introduction to Adobe After Effects
- Overview of the interface and workspace
- Understanding compositions, layers, and timelines
- Importing and organizing media files
Creating and Animating Shapes
- Drawing and editing vector shapes
- Applying shape attributes and transformations
- Animating shapes using keyframes and motion paths
Working with Text and Typography
- Adding and formatting text layers
- Applying text animations and presets
- Creating kinetic typography and title sequences
- Using Effects and Presets
- Applying visual effects and stylizations
- Customizing and animating effects properties
- Working with adjustment layers for global effects
Masking and Rotoscoping
- Creating and animating masks for selective adjustments
- Working with the Roto Brush tool for rotoscoping
- Combining multiple masks for complex selections
Motion Tracking and Stabilization
- Tracking motion in video clips
- Stabilizing shaky footage
- Applying tracked data to other layers
Green Screen (Chroma Key) and Compositing
- Keying out backgrounds using the Keylight effect
- Refining key settings for clean compositing
- Integrating keyed footage with other elements
3D Space and Camera Animation
- Working in 3D space and understanding 3D layers
- Creating and animating cameras for 3D scenes
- Adding lights and shadows for realistic effects
Expressions and Automation
- Introduction to expressions for parameter automation
- Writing and using simple expressions for motion graphics
- Applying wiggle, loop, and time-based expressions
Advanced Animation Techniques
- Parenting and linking layers for complex animations
- Using the Graph Editor for precise motion control
- Applying easing and interpolation for natural motion
Visual Effects and Compositing Projects
- Creating advanced visual effects and composites
- Integrating After Effects with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
- Adding finishing touches for professional-grade visuals
Final Projects and Capstone
- Applying After Effects concepts to create a final project
- Conducting a complete motion graphics or visual effects project
- Final project presentation and evaluation
Assessment:
- Class participation and engagement
- Hands-on exercises and animation projects
- Mid-term and final motion graphics projects
- Final project presentation and evaluation