WEEK 1: Sep 01, 2011

Project organization

• When media is imported into After Effects, it does not become part of the AE file but rather “links” to the AE file from its location on the hard-drive. For this reason, it is very important to maintain a consistent folder structure for every project you work on, or you will lose the links to your imported assets. 
• Create an organized folder structure for each project you work on. 
• Never re-name or move your folders and imported assets. 

Basic Interface: Project, Compositions, Timeline, Preview and Tools

• To close an unnecessary window, highlight it by clicking inside it (make sure you see a yellow outline around the window you selected) and click the “x” symbol in the upper right corner. 
• To open a window, select it from “Windows” in the main AE menu bar (top of screen). 
• Zoom in/out of Composition Window: Cmnd +/-

Composition settings

• When beginning a new project, be aware of your final output requirements (web, broadcast, projection, etc). 
• Some important specs to be aware of are: resolution, pixel aspect ratio, frame rate, duration 
• In this class, your composition settings will always be: 
• HDV/HDTV 720 29.97 fps Progressive 
• resolution: 1280 x 720 
• pixel aspect ration: square pixels 
• frame rate: 29.97 frames per second 
• Progressive (non-interlaced) 

Importing media: still images, video, audio

• File > Import > File 
• Right-click in the Project window; Import > File 
• Select Project window; Cmnd + i

Working with layers on a timeline

• You can bring images, videos and audio files from the project window into your composition by 
• dropping them into the composition window (this will give you the option of positioning the asset freely by eye) 
• dropping them into the left side of your timeline window (this will place your asset in the center of the composition and at the beginning of your timeline) 
• dropping them into the right side of your timeline window (this will place your asset at the center of the composition but will give you an option of choosing the desired place on the timeline) 
• duplicating a layer: select layer; Cmnd + D 
• copying a layer: select layer; Cmnd + C 
• pasting a layer: select layer; Cmnd + V 
• zoom in/out of the timeline: + /-

Transform properties

• anchor point (“a”) 
• position (“p”) 
• scale (“s”) 
• rotation (“r”) 
• opacity (“t”) 

Using audio waveforms as a rhythm guide

• Use waveform of your audio file to help you find rhythm cues for animation timing 
• Thinner parts of the waveform means a lull in the sound while high peaks usually indicate a beat 
• To access the waveform open the layer (by clicking on the arrow symbol to the left of the layer name); open Audio; open Waveform; roll over the thin grey line below the waveform and pull down to expand the waveform size. 

Exporting

• To export your animation, make sure to select the animation timeline and go to Composition > Make Movie 
• Make sure the work area of your timeline is set to what you want to render (to adjust the work area, pull on the front or back handles of the “work area” bar at the top of the right side of the timeline) 
• Render Settings: 
• Output To: 
• make sure to set the correct output location and name your file 
• Render Settings: 
• make sure to set the appropriate Quality, Resolution and Time Span 
• Output Module: 
• Format: Quick Time Movie 
• Format Options > Compression Type: H264 
• Audio Output: make sure to turn it on!