Lynda.COM After Effects: Extended Vignette Techniques

Authors:
Chris Meyer
Trish Meyer

Duration:
46m 34s

Released on:
2/9/2010

Exercise files:
Yes

Software works on:
Windows only

After Effects: Extended Vignette Techniques was created and produced by Trish and Chris Meyer. We are honored to host their material in the lynda.com Online Training Library®.

Vignetting is a classic photography technique involving darkening areas of an image in order to focus the viewer’s attention on a desired point of interest. In After Effects: Extended Vignette Techniques, Chris Meyer shows how vignettes can also be leveraged in video. Multiple applications are demonstrated, including framing a subject better, fixing a poorly composed shot, giving a vintage feel, creating "quiet areas" to overlay text and other graphics, and blending an image over a new background. Vignettes can be created using masking, shape layers, and gradients. This course also includes advanced techniques unique to After Effects, using the CC Circle effect and 3D lights, and employing motion stabilization to center the desired action within the vignette. Exercise files accompany the course.
Topics include:

    Vignetting with feathered masks, gradients, or paint
    Blending layers with masks and paint
    Lighting in 3D
    Using motion stabilization
    Using blending modes and adjustment layers




Welcome
Introduction           01m 09s

1. Approaches to Creating Vignettes
Masks           04m 48s
Shape layers and gradients           05m 15s
Paint           05m 12s
Circle effect           03m 31s
3D lights           03m 56s

2. Extended Vignette Techniques
Colorization and blending modes           05m 05s
Adjustment layers           04m 04s
Blending layers using masks           02m 05s
Blending layers using paint           02m 11s

3. Motion Stabilization
Stabilizing the foreground           05m 12s
Correcting edge issues           03m 26s

Conclusion
Goodbye           00m 40s