AfterEffects CS4 Fundamentals

Cost:

$595.00 (Online Class - Lodestone Live)
$795.00 (Lodestone Training Center) Classes Always Run!

Time: 10 AM - 4:30 PM EST
Length: 2 day class
Type: Instructor-led

Course Description:

This class is geared for those just starting out in digital video. This class is essential for those creating video for the web, CD-ROMs, or broadcast.

Learning Objectives:

This course will get you started with the basic concepts of After Effects, but gives you a path to continue your mastery of the application. This is a great primer for those seeking their Adobe certification.

After taking this class you will be able to:

  • Create 2D Elements
  • Build a Composition
  • Create an Animated Pattern
  • Rendering Compositions
  • Combine Components
  • Work with Text and Numbers
  • Build 3D Elements
  • Combine 2D Elements in a Composite
  • Make a 3D Composite
  • Put together a scene
  • Create Templates for Rendering Process

Target Audience:

This class is geared for those just starting out in digital video. Students new to After Effects CS4 will learn to create motion graphics and visual effects.

Course Outline:

Chapter 1: Getting to Know the Workflow

  • Creating a project and importing footage
  • Creating a composition and arranging layers
  • Adding effects and modifying layer properties
  • Animating the composition
  • Previewing your work
  • Optimizing performance in After Effects
  • Rendering and exporting your composition
  • Customizing the workspace
  • Controlling the brightness of the user interface
  • Finding resources for using After Effects
  • Checking for updates

Chapter 2: Creating a Basic Animation Using Effects and Presets

  • Importing footage using Adobe Bridge
  • Creating the composition
  • Working with imported Illustrator layers
  • Applying effects to a layer
  • Applying an animation preset
  • Previewing the effects
  • Adding transparency
  • Rendering the composition

Chapter 3: Animating Text

  • About text layers
  • Creating and formatting point text
  • Using a text animation preset
  • Animating with scale keyframes
  • Animating using parenting
  • Animating imported Photoshop text
  • Animating text using a path animation preset
  • Animating type tracking
  • Animating text opacity
  • Using a text animator group
  • Cleaning up the path animation
  • Animating a nontext layer along a motion path
  • Adding motion blur
  • Exporting to Adobe Flash CS4 Professional

Chapter 4: Working with Shape Layers

  • Adding a shape layer
  • Creating custom shapes
  • Creating stars
  • Incorporating video and audio layers
  • Applying a Cartoon effect
  • Adding a title bar
  • Using Brainstorm to experiment

Chapter 5: Animating a Multimedia Presentation

  • Animating the scenery using parenting
  • Adjusting an anchor point
  • Masking video using vector shapes
  • Keyframing a motion path
  • Animating additional elements
  • Applying an effect
  • Creating an animated slide show
  • Adding an audio track
  • Zooming in for a final close-up
  • Sending the project to reviewers

Chapter 6: Animating Layers

  • Simulating lighting changes
  • Duplicating an animation using the pick whip
  • Animating movement in the scenery
  • Adjusting the layers and creating a track matte
  • Animating the shadows
  • Adding a lens flare effect
  • Animating the clock
  • Retiming the composition

Chapter 7: Working with Masks

  • About masks
  • Getting started
  • Creating a mask with the Pen tool
  • Editing a mask
  • Feathering the edges of a mask
  • Replacing the content of the mask
  • Adding a reflection
  • Creating a vignette
  • Adjusting the color

Chapter 8: Keying

  • About keying
  • Getting started
  • Creating compositions in Device Central
  • Changing the background color
  • Adding the foreground subject
  • Using garbage masks
  • Applying the Color Difference Key effect
  • Choking the matte
  • Removing spill
  • Adjusting contrast
  • Adding the background animation
  • Adding text
    • Preparing the composition for mobile devices

Chapter 9: Performing Color Correction

  • Adjusting color balance
  • Replacing the background
  • Removing unwanted elements
  • Correcting a range of colors
  • Warming colors with the Photo Filter effect

    • Chapter 10: Rendering and Outputting

    • Creating templates for the rendering process
    • Creating templates for output modules
    • Exporting to different output media

There are currently no public classes scheduled dates for this class. To schedule a private class, please call us toll free at 866-665-9441.

Please note, assigned instructor may change. Lodestone confirms instructor schedules two weeks prior to class date.

*Classes are online via Lodestone Live and at a Lodestone training center.
The only time that a class will cancel is either if there is a power failure or other major disruption in service.