Linda.COM After Effects Apprentice 04: Layer Control

Authors:
Chris Meyer
Trish Meyer

Duration:
02h 33m

Released on:
2/23/2011

Exercise files:
Yes

Software works on:
Windows only

In this installment of After Effects Apprentice, Chris Meyer focuses on ways to edit and enhance layers in After Effects. Through a series of Quizzler challenges and Idea Corner examples, Chris shares alternative ways to employ modes, sequencing, and adjustment layers, while special sidebar movies cover the subjects of creating seamless loops, animating effects points, understanding pixel aspect ratios, and employing Brainstorm to explore the variety of different looks that effects can create. The course also covers tricks for enhancing boring footage and tips for converting scans into moving sequences. Exercise files are included with the course.

The After Effects Apprentice video lessons were created by Trish and Chris Meyer and are designed to be used on their own or as a companion to their acclaimed book, After Effects Apprentice.We are honored to host these tutorials in the lynda.com Online Training Library®.
Topics include:

    Sliding and trimming
    Slip-editing and insert-editing layers
    Employing blending modes to enhance layers and composites
    Applying, modifying, and saving animation presets and layer styles
    Using adjustment layers to affect multiple layers
    Experimenting with effects using Brainstorm
    Understanding pixel aspect ratios

Introduction
Overview           01m 08s

1. Editing Layers in Time
Stacking and sliding layers           05m 15s
Trimming layers in the Timeline panel           05m 37s
Trimming in the Layer panel           03m 22s
Pre-trimming and inserting layers from the Footage panel           03m 11s
Slip-editing           05m 12s

2. Sequencing Layers
Applying sequence layers to footage           04m 36s
Using sequence layers with objects           02m 05s
Example: Sequence layers and photographs           02m 11s
Creating a new composition using sequence layers           01m 26s
The importance of layer order           01m 11s

3. Looping, Stretching, and Frame Blending
Looping footage           03m 06s
Importing a sequence of still images           04m 21s
Time-stretching vs. altering frame rates           03m 14s
Frame blending           06m 03s

4. Blending Modes
Blending mode overview           06m 57s
Combining modes and effects           04m 36s
Why apply effects to solids?           07m 02s

5. Effects and Presets
Using the Effects & Presets panel           04m 54s
Applying presets           05m 25s
Behaviors           02m 52s
Creating and saving presets           08m 14s

6. Layer Styles
Importing Photoshop files with layer styles           03m 58s
Applying layer styles inside After Effects           03m 39s

7. Adjustment Layers
Using adjustment layers           03m 08s
Adjustment layers and alpha channels           03m 05s
Filmic glow treatment           02m 47s

8. Quizzlers
Quizzler challenges           01m 08s
Quizzler solution 1: Pyrotechnic composite           02m 59s
Quizzler solution 2: Sequenced fades           02m 19s

9. Idea Corner
Idea Corner 1: Adjustment layer shapes           01m 47s
Idea Corner 2: Creating a traveling glass bar           04m 03s
Idea Corner 3: Creating sequences from filmstrips           05m 35s

10. Sidebars
Looping footage by crossfading           05m 10s
Effect point paths           05m 03s
Brainstorm           07m 10s
Pixel aspect ratios           09m 24s