Lynda.COM After Effects Project Workflow

Chad Perkins

Software works on:

Mac and Windows

Topics include:

• Planning a project in pre-production
• Creating a 3D robot in Cinema 4D
• Using kuler to establish a color palette
• Learning how to design a motion graphics project from an artistic perspective
• Preparing Photoshop and Illustrator content for animation in After Effects
• Using color to stylize and unify visual elements

1. Introduction
Welcome           00:51
The project we'll be making           01:33
What this title is and isn't           01:06
Using the exercise files           01:29
02:17 2. Pre-Production
Planning the project           02:17
20:56 3. Creating Photoshop Assets
Understanding Photoshop's role           00:27
Isolating subjects           09:34
Using custom shapes and brushes           06:19
Creating custom brushes           04:36
08:12 4. Creating Illustrator Assets
Understanding Illustrator's role           00:49
Distributing components into layers           02:50
Creating a banner           03:05
Preparing the Illustrator files for After Effects           01:28
25:42 5. Creating 3D Elements
Introducing Cinema 4D           01:22
Modeling the robot head and body           06:37
Modeling the robot arm           06:16
Animating components           03:46
Applying textures           02:38
Exporting for After Effects           05:03
14:54 6. Setting Up the After Effects Project
Importing elements correctly           03:33
Deciding on comp size           01:33
Using Kuler to select a color palette           03:15
Making color palette solids           03:40
Finding the comp midpoint           01:00
Creating guides           01:53
38:25 7. Creating a Layout of the Assets
Creating a rough arrangement of assets           04:15
Increasing efficiency with the Mirror effect           02:19
Using Grow Bounds to fix the dragon           01:18
Simulating motion with stills           05:24
Using the Slip Edit tool on video           02:43
Creating text for the banners           03:51
Warping the text           03:19
Smoothing the banner's edges           01:33
Making other tweaks           09:54
Fixing the sword with Simple Choker           01:43
Masking with precomposing and mattes           02:06
27:54 8. Animating the Elements
Animating the text on the banner           01:44
Arranging the elements in 3D space           02:37
Making cracks with Advanced Lightning           04:55
Creating music note particles with Foam           06:28
Animating characters entering the scene           03:23
Using scale to simulate bounce           04:56
Making the final comp           01:40
Animating the virtual camera           02:11
23:50 9. Correcting Color
Color-correcting the subject           06:32
Color-correcting the dragons           03:30
Stylizing the explosion           04:50
Adding banner highlights with Ramp           02:39
Colorizing other elements           04:02
Using Layer Styles to color the background           02:17
11:40 10. Applying Final Touches
Faking rack focus           03:29
Adding a vignette           01:22
Fading the project in and out           02:40
Making colors broadcast-safe           01:17
Adding audio and exporting           02:52
18:26 11. Creating the Soundtrack in GarageBand
Importing the video           02:53
Laying down the drums           04:25
Adding the bass line           03:02
Adding the lead synth           06:48
Exporting for After Effects           01:18
01:40 Conclusion
Assignment: Completing the second side           01:11
Goodbye           00:29