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COURSE SUMMARY

 

Each week, a new class page with new content will be added to the "Classes" sub-menu at the top of the site.

 

After Effects is a BIG program. Each class will cover several different topics to help you learn it all. For some of you, the first few weeks may be a little basic/boring, but I promise you'll learn some great tips and we'll get to the good stuff quickly throughout the semester. Because this is a beginner class, we have to start at the VERY beginning. Here's what you can look forward to learning during this course:

 

CLASS 1 (Jan 9)

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  • Introductions and Syllabus review

  • What is After Effects and what can it do?

  • Interface basics 

  • Understanding AEP (After Effects Project) files 

  • Layers and Layer Transform controls

  • Keyframing and animation basics

  • Previewing and Rendering your animations

  • Lab time

 
CLASS 2 (Jan 16)

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  • Learn 5 ways to import a file into After Effects

  • Learn 5 ways to create a new composition

  • Review keyframing and animation basics

  • Enhancing your keyrames with Easy Ease

  • Enhancing your animation with Motion Blur

  • Keyframing homework assignment

  • Lab time

 
CLASS 3 (Jan 23)

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  • Hotkey Quiz preparation

  • Keeping Organized inside of AE

  • Creating Solid Layers

  • Applying Effects to layers

  • Creating Text

  • Animating Text (Basics)

  • Nesting and Precomposing

  • Nesting homework assignment

  • Lab time

  • Homework #1 Due: Tangram

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CLASS 4 (Jan 30)

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  • Hotkey Quiz preparation

  • Review of Nesting and Precomposing

  • Creating Shape Layers

  • Masks and Paths

  • Keyframing a layer's positing using a mask path

  • Masking homework assignment

  • Lab time

  • Homework #2 Due: Bug in Box

CLASS 5 (Feb 6)

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  • Hotkey Quiz at the beginning of class

  • Midterm Assignment

  • Parenting

  • Creating Null Objects

  • Parenting homework Assignment

  • Lab time

  • Homework #3 Due: Talking Baby

 

CLASS 6 (Feb 13)

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  • Midterm Assignment Reminder

  • Blend Modes

  • Alpha Mattes

  • Luma Mattes

  • Midterm Project Proposal Assignment

  • Lab time

  • Homework #4 Due: Hand Crane 1,2,3

 
CLASS 7 (Feb 20)

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  • Adjustment Layers

  • Lab time to work on Midterm projects

  • Homework #5 Due: Midterm proposal

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MIDTERM PROJ. DUE (Feb 27)

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  • We will watch everyone's midterm projects this day.

  • There is no lecture this day.

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CLASS 8 (Mar 5)

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  • Introduction to 3D in After Effects

  • 2.5 D (Making a still image move in 3D)

  • Creating Cameras

  • Rigging AE Cameras for better control

  • 3D Scene homework assignment

  • Lab time

CLASS 9 (Mar 12)

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  • More on 3D cameras, lights, and shadows

  • Keying basics

  • Rotoscope Brush basics

  • Rendering with an Alpha Channel

  • Time Remapping basics

  • Time Remapping assignment

  • Lab time

  • Homework #6 Due: 3D/2.5D Photo

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CLASS 10 (Mar 19)

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  • More Keying

  • Motion Tracking

  • Motion Stabilization

  • Camera Tracking

  • Final Project Proposal assignment

  • Lab time

  • Homework #7 Due: Optional Time Remap

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CLASS 11 (Mar 26)

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  • Random Stuff Day

  • Motion Sketch

  • The Wiggler

  • The Smoother

  • Expressions basics

  • Maps

  • Advanced Rendering

  • Homework #8 Due: Final project proposal

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CLASS 12 (Apr 2)

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  • No lecture

  • Lab time to work on final projects

  • No Homework due

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FINAL PROJECT DUE (Apr 9)

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  • We will watch everyone's final projects this day and laugh and cry... probably.

  • There is no lecture this day.

  • Good bye.

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