Linda.COM After Effects Apprentice 05: Creating Transparency

Authors:
Chris Meyer
Trish Meyer

Duration:
02h 10m

Released on:
3/23/2011

Exercise files:
Yes

In this course, Chris Meyer demonstrates the most common techniques for adding selective transparency to layers in After Effects through the use of masks, track mattes, and stencils. In addition to explaining the tools and basic theory behind transparency, the course covers several practical applications for these techniques, including isolating objects, creating vignettes, and filling text with visual texture. Tutorials on crafting custom transitions and other treatments are also included. Exercise files accompany 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:

    Creating masks using parametric shapes or freeform with the Pen tool
    Editing and animating masks
    Combining multiple masks
    Using one layer to define the transparency of others
    Explaining the interaction between effects, masks, and mattes
    Mastering mask animation



Introduction
Overview           01m 04s

1. Masking 101
Creating basic mask shapes           04m 59s
Creating advanced parametric shapes           03m 26s
Basic mask shape editing           04m 26s
Masking in the Layer panel           01m 46s
Mask parameters           03m 51s
Animating masks           05m 44s
Creating vignettes           03m 41s

2. Freeform Masking
Masking with the Pen tool           06m 36s
Editing the mask path           06m 11s
RotoBezier masks           04m 23s
Mask target for animation           03m 04s
First vertex point           04m 59s

3. Managing Multiple Masks
Mask modes           03m 49s
Mask opacity fades           03m 47s

4. Masks and Effects
Targeted treatments           02m 27s
Filling mask shapes           02m 59s
Following mask paths           05m 57s

5. Track Mattes
Alpha mattes           03m 40s
Grouping track matte pairs           03m 32s
Luma mattes           03m 44s
Animating mattes           02m 02s

6. Stencils
Stencil Luma           02m 56s
Stencil Alpha           01m 56s
Stencils plus effects           02m 11s
Stacking stencils           02m 22s

7. Quizzlers
Quizzler challenges           01m 09s
Quizzler solution 1: One word at a time           03m 44s
Quizzler solution 2: Stroke drawing direction           03m 03s

8. Idea Corners
Idea corner 1: More masks and effects           02m 42s
Idea corner 2: Transition effects           03m 35s
Idea corner 3: Sequenced layers as mattes           04m 35s

9. Sidebar
Track matte rendering order           05m 39s
Mask Interpolation           10m 32s