by Ko Maruyama | Publisher: Total Training | Release Date: August 2007 | ISBN: 0827911281096

Discover the world of animation with After Effects CS3 Essentials. Hosted by professional animator Ko Maruyama, these training videos focus on new features and essential tools including Shape Layers, the Puppet Tool and Brainstorm. You'll also learn how to use many of the new effects found in After Effects CS3 as well as how to import Photoshop Layer Styles. Learn the tricks you need to get on your way to producing high-end animations.

1. CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW OF AFTER EFFECTS CS3
   • INTRODUCTION 00:01:08
   • Setting Preferences 00:02:16
   • Importing Illustrator® Files 00:02:09
   • Introducing the Shape Layer 00:03:55
   • Reusing Compositions 00:04:19
   • Animating with the Puppet Tool 00:02:59
   • Creating a Ramp Effect 00:04:19
   • Understanding Masks & Modes 00:08:15
   • Basic Keyframing 00:05:57
   • Animating a Title 00:04:26
   • Setting Up a Render 00:02:37
2. CHAPTER 2: NAVIGATING THE WORKSPACE
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:32
   • Manipulating Panels & Creating a New Workspace 00:08:57
   • Examining the Project Pane 00:04:38
   • Information & Thumbnails in the Project Pane 00:02:46
   • Shortcuts to Find, Delete & Create a New Folder 00:03:10
   • Introducing Compositions & Timelines 00:02:55
   • Exploring the Composition Window 00:08:32
   • Examining the Icons & Columns in the Timeline 00:05:37
   • Navigating the Timeline & Adding Markers 00:03:54
   • Working with Layers in the Timeline 00:05:48
3. CHAPTER 3: IMPORTING & COLLECTING FOOTAGE
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:30
   • Prepping an Image in Photoshop® or Illustrator 00:03:39
   • Importing Footage & Image Sequences 00:06:14
   • Importing as a Composition 00:08:45
   • Importing Layer Styles 00:05:05
   • Using the Edit Original Command 00:06:18
   • Saving as a Photoshop Document 00:02:40
4. CHAPTER 4: KEYFRAMING PARAMETERS
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:22
   • Understanding Layer Parameters 00:06:35
   • Creating Simple Keyframes 00:04:48
   • Differentiating Anchor & Position 00:05:37
   • Selecting & Modifying Keyframes 00:05:00
   • Managing Temporal Speed 00:07:06
   • Using Hold Keyframes 00:04:15
5. CHAPTER 5: PARENTING, NESTING & INTRO TO EXPRESSIONS
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:36
   • Linking Children to Parents 00:06:56
   • Creating a Precomposition 00:09:20
   • Keyframing Time 00:08:30
   • Parenting & More Parenting 00:03:53
   • Bringing It All Together 00:01:57
   • Final Comments & Credits 00:01:50
6. CHAPTER 6: EFFECTS & ADJUSTMENTS
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:31
   • Locating & Applying Effects 00:04:34
   • Using the Checkerboard Effect 00:02:20
   • Using the Distort & Transition Effects 00:03:49
   • Applying Effects to a Bitmap Image & a Shape Layer 00:05:38
   • Layering Priority 00:06:44
   • Saving an Animation Preset 00:04:52
   • Applying Multiple Instances of the Same Effect 00:04:23
   • Using a Layer to Define the Effect on Another Layer 00:02:43
   • Using Adjustment Layers 00:03:56
7. CHAPTER 7: MASKS, MATTES & MODES
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:36
   • Applying Masks with the Vector Tool 00:04:05
   • Editing & Animating Mask Properties 00:06:33
   • Using Auto-trace to Generate Masks 00:04:33
   • Using Transparency & Masks to Reveal Images 00:06:48
   • Understanding Path Relationships 00:02:56
   • Using Shape Layers 00:04:19
   • Using a Track Matte 00:07:26
   • Preserving Transparency 00:03:34
   • Using a Composition as a Layer 00:02:29
8. CHAPTER 8: USING THE TYPE TOOL
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:27
   • Setting Up the Character & Paragraph Palettes 00:05:14
   • Adding Text 00:02:33
   • Modifying Character Formatting 00:04:23
   • Fill & Stroke Options 00:03:48
   • Exploring the Paragraph Options 00:03:25
   • Creating Text from Photoshop® Layers 00:03:33
   • Introducing Animation Perimeters 00:07:41
   • Using Text Animators 00:03:16
   • Range Selector Basics 00:06:37
   • Converting Text to Outlines 00:02:38
   • Replacing Fonts & Another Type Treatment Example 00:02:33
9. CHAPTER 9: EXPORTING & OUTPUTTING
   • INTRODUCTION 00:00:23
   • Exporting as an SWF File 00:05:26
   • Exporting to Clip Notes 00:03:38
   • Making a Movie 00:08:17
   • Controlling Render Settings 00:03:24
10. CHAPTER 10: NEW TOOLS & FEATURES
    • INTRODUCTION 00:00:20
    • Introducing Shape Layers 00:04:35
    • Working with Shape Fills 00:05:46
    • Animating Shape Layers 00:04:17
    • Exploring Photoshop Integration 00:04:41
    • Using the Puppet Tool 00:07:51
    • Introducing 3D Type 00:02:34
    • Brainstorming with Effects 00:03:26
11. CHAPTER 11: SETTING PREFERENCES
    • INTRODUCTION 00:00:16
    • Setting General Preferences 00:03:09
    • View, Display, Import & Output Preferences 00:03:53
    • Appearance, Memory & Saving Preferences 00:03:16
    • Exploring New Preference Options 00:01:10
12. CHAPTER 12: TIPS, TRICKS & BEGINNER QUESTIONS
    • INTRODUCTION 00:00:19
    • Tips for Importing & Interpreting Footage 00:02:27
    • Managing Source Material 00:02:33
    • Making a New Composition 00:02:32
    • Working with Ram 00:03:41
    • Using the Collect Files Feature 00:03:06
    • Final Comments & Credits 00:02:02