WEEK 6: Oct 6, 2011

Blending modes

• Set a layer's blending mode using the Mode menu (to the right of the layer name)
• To open the Mode column, expand your timeline options by turning on the second (center) button in the bottom-left corner of the Timeline window

Silhouette Alpha/Luma & Stensil Alpha/Luma 

• Use a layer with these blending modes to mask multiple layers below
• Silhouette/Stencil Alpha will use a layer's transparency info to create a mask
• Silhouette/Stencil Luma will use a layer's luminance (black & white) values to create a mask

Collapse Transformations & Blending Modes

• If you want blending modes of layers within a nested comp to affect the layers within the parent comp, turn on Collapse Transformations
• If you apply a mask, set a track matte or apply an effect to a comp with Collapse Transformations turned on, the Collapse Transformations will be disabled

Track mattes

• You make a layer act as a mask for another layer by using the Track Matte settings
• Place the "mask" layer on top of the layer you want to affect
• Use the Track Matte column and set the lower (affected) layer to an Alpha or Luma matte
• Alpha mattes (like the blending mode options) use the "mask" layer's transparency
• Luma mattes use the luminance (black & white) values

Working with video footage

• To adjust the settings of an imported video, right-click on it in the project window and choose Interpret > Main
• To manipulate the speed/duration of your video, right-click on the layer on the timeline and choose Time

Effects (part 1)

• You can apply effects to a layer by selecting it and:
• choosing Effects > ... from the top menu
• right-clicking on the layer in the timeline and choosing Effects > ...
• right-clicking inside the Effects Controls window and choosing the desired effect
• When trying to apply the same effect to multiple layers, create an Adjustment Layer (Layer > New > Adjustment Layer);  it must be at the top of the layers you want to affect
• Set keyframes to any property of an effect that has the stop-watch symbol
• You can set keyframes in the Effects Controls window or in the Effects properties of the layer on the timeline
• Effects categories covered in class:
• Color Correction
• Blur-Sharpen
• Stylize