WEEK 2: Sep 08, 2011

Reconnecting media
  • Missing media will appear with a “color bars” symbol in the Project window. 
  • To find all missing media, type “Missing” in the search bar of the Project window. 
  • To reconnect media, right-click on it in the Project window and choose 
  • Replace Footage > File 
Import squares (Illustrator files) and turn on continuous rasterization.

Setting Keyframes 
Tansform properties (and shortcuts): anchor point (a), position (p), scale (s), rotation (r), opacity (t).
  • Keyframes are set at the position of the time-slider on the timeline. 
  • Turn on the “stop watch” symbol (to the left of the transform property) to set the initial keyframe. Turning it off will remove all keyframes from a layer. 
  • Subsequent keyframes can be set by positioning the time-slider over an empty/un-keyed area on the timeline and 
    • changing the value of the keyed transform property, or 
    • using the mouse/keyboard to manipulate the layer in the Composition window. 
  • New keyframes can also be added by clicking inside the “diamond” symbol to the left of the “stop watch” symbol. 
Navigating keyframes 
A value of a keyframe can be changed only when the time-slider is positioned directly over the keyframe.
  • Use the left/right arrow to the left of the “stop watch” symbol, or 
  • Position the time-slider over the desired keyframe (shift+drag the time slider to snap).
  • Use the shorcut keys “k” (forward) and “j” (backward) .
Moving keyframes on the timeline
  • To move a keyframe, click and drag it across the timeline (shift+drag to snap to time-slider position) 
  • To select/move multiple keyframes 
    • click near (not on) a keyframe and drag to expand the bounding box around the desired keyframes, or 
    • shift-select multiple keyframes 
  • To “squeeze” or “expand” a group of keyframes (in order to speed up/slow down the animation), select all keyframes of one or more transform properties, click and drag the first or last keyframe. Note: when selecting keyframes of multiple transform properties (or layers), make sure to click/drag the absolute first or last keyframe of the group. 
Changing Keyframe Values 
  • Position the time-slider over the keyframe and 
    • enter a new value to the transform property, or 
    • use your mouse/keyboard to manipulate the layer in the Composition window. 
  • To proportionally increase/decrease the value of multiple keyframes on the same transform property, select all keyframes, snap the time-slider to any of the selected keyframes, use the transform property values or the Composition window to enter changes. 
Useful keyframe shortcuts:
  • “u” = reveal/close all keyframes 
  • “j” and “k” = navigate between keyframes 
  • “Shift + drag” = snap keyframe to time-slider or time-slider to keyframe 
  • “Opt + a” = set keyframe to Anchor Point 
  • “Opt + p” = set keyframe to Position 
  • “Opt + s” = set keyframe to Scale 
  • “Opt + r” = set keyframe to Rotation 
  • “Opt + t” = set keyframe to Opacity 
Useful layer shortcuts:
  • Select a layer and 
    • “[“ or “]” = snap the beginning or the end of a layer to the time-slider 
    • “Opt + [“ or “Opt + ]” = trim the beginning or end of the layer to the time-slider 
    • “i” = time-slider snaps to the beginning of a selected layer 
    • “o” = time slider snaps to the end of a selected layer 
Motion path
  • A motion path’s controls are similar to a vector path.
  • Use the pen tool to adjust motion path curves/bezier handles.
  • Good motion rule: fewer keyframes make better animation. 

Auto-orient
  • Layer > Transform > Auto-orient 
Motion theory
  • Ease in/out of keyframes
  • Overlapping motion
  • Anticipation
  • Follow-through
Types of keyframes: linear, ease in-out/easy ease, auto bezier, hold, rove

Working with the graph editor

Using illustrator paths as motion paths
  • In Illustrator: 
    • Create an Illustrator file at the same settings as your AE Composition. 
    • Go to Illustrator > Preferences > File Handling and Clipboard and make sure you have “Preserve Paths” turned on. 
    • Create a path using a preset shape or the pen tool (no compound paths) 
    • Turn off both fill and stroke 
    • Select the path and copy it (Edit > Copy/Cmnd + c) 
  • In After Effects: 
    • Open your layer’s position, select the property and paste (Edit > Paste/Cmnd + v) 
    • You should see a set of keyframes appear, with each point on the Illustrator vector path represented by a keyframe. 
    • The keyframes will appear as “Roving” which you can turn off if desired. 
Parenting to layers and null objects

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