The Introduction to Adobe After Effects module is the first module in the After Effects course and is designed to provide students with an understanding of the software and its features. The module covers the basics of After Effects, including its purpose, how it works, and what it can be used for. Students will learn about the different types of projects that can be created with After Effects, such as motion graphics, visual effects, and compositing. They will also be introduced to the After Effects interface, including the workspace, panels, and tools. The module also includes instructions on how to download the course project files, which will be used throughout the course.
In this module, students will learn the basics of working with the software. This module covers important topics such as starting a new composition, setting composition parameters such as size and frame rate, importing media into After Effects, and using essential tools such as the Selection Tool, Hand Tool, and Zoom Tool. Students will also learn how to navigate and work with the timeline, including how to add and manipulate layers, adjust layer duration, and apply layer transformations such as position, scale, rotation, and opacity. Additionally, this module covers how to create perfect shapes with alignment and colours using the Shape Tools and Fill and Stroke properties.
In this module, students will learn how to add movement to their designs in After Effects using keyframes. Keyframes are used to set specific points in time for the properties of a layer to change. By setting keyframes for different properties of a layer, such as position, scale, rotation, and opacity, students can create complex animations with precise control. The module covers different types of keyframes and how to add, move, and delete them in the timeline. Students will also learn how to use the Graph Editor to adjust the timing and easing of their animations and create more natural and fluid movements. The bouncing ball animation challenge is a great way for students to practice what they’ve learned and apply their knowledge to a fun and engaging project.
In the Shapes and Solid Layers module of Adobe After Effects, students will learn how to create and work with solid layers, which are layers with a single color that can be used as a background or to create various shapes. The module also covers the use of shapes, which are vector-based graphics that can be used to create a wide range of visual elements, such as icons, logos, and animations. Students will also learn how to apply layer styles to shapes, including drop shadows and gradients, and how to create tapered strokes and concentric shapes. This module will provide students with the foundational skills needed to create and manipulate shapes and solid layers in their After Effects projects.
In this module, students will learn important techniques and tools to help them create compelling motion graphics and visual effects. Using track mattes, students will be able to create layer masks to make layers appear and disappear in a project. Pre-compositions, which group layers together, will allow students to work more efficiently with complex compositions. The module will also teach students how to use blend modes to achieve different visual effects, such as creating a glowing effect or blending layers together. Students will learn how to stabilize footage using the Warp Stabilizer effect, which can reduce camera shake and other types of unwanted motion. Additionally, students will learn how to work with fonts and create motion graphics templates, which they can use in Premiere Pro for future video projects.
The Motion Graphics and Flat Animations module in Adobe After Effects is designed to teach students how to create visually engaging motion graphics and animations. This module covers a range of topics, including creating lower thirds, transitions, pop-up animations, and logo reveals, which are essential for creating dynamic visual content. The course also covers the process of designing and animating a flat animation scene, which is a popular style of animation that is characterized by its minimalist design and use of 2D shapes. Students will learn how to use repeater shapes to create animated fireworks, which is a great technique for creating special effects in their animations.
In this module, students will learn how to effectively use green screen footage in their After Effects projects. They will be introduced to the Keylight 1.2 effect and learn how to use it to remove the green screen from a video or image and replace it with a new background. The Puppet tool will also be covered, allowing students to add movement to still images and create more dynamic animations. Finally, students will learn how to use the Ripple effect to add motion to the background photo, giving it a more natural and realistic appearance.
In this module, students will learn the fundamentals of 3D animation and how to use the Camera Tool in Adobe After Effects. They will start by creating a 3D composition and adding objects, then learn how to manipulate and animate those objects in 3D space. Next, they will dive into the Camera Tool, which allows them to move and control the camera in a 3D space to create a sense of depth and dimension in their animations. Finally, students will learn how to create stars in After Effects, which can be used to enhance their 3D animations and add a sense of realism to their work. By the end of this module, students will have a solid foundation in creating 3D animations and using the Camera Tool in After Effects.
Rotoscoping is an essential technique in visual effects and animation, allowing artists to create complex effects by isolating and manipulating specific elements in live-action footage. In this module, students will learn how to use the Rotoscope tool in After Effects to trace over footage and create a mask that separates the foreground from the background. They will also learn how to clean up edges and refine the mask to ensure accurate results. Additionally, the module will cover various practical applications of rotoscoping, such as isolating objects for color correction or replacing backgrounds in post-production. By the end of this module, students will have gained a fundamental understanding of rotoscoping and how to use it in their projects.
The Screen Replacements module in Adobe After Effects focuses on the techniques used to replace screens in video footage. It is a commonly used technique in film and video production for adding visual elements such as text, graphics, or video to screens on electronic devices, such as phones or computers. The module covers different methods for replacing screens, including using masks to replace the screen with a new image, using 3D motion to add depth to the new image, and using the Mocha native plugin to track and replace the screen. The module also includes a challenge where students will apply what they’ve learned to replace a screen in a video clip.
The Puppet Tool Animations module is a hands-on training on how to create dynamic and engaging animations using the Puppet Tool in After Effects. The Puppet Tool allows users to add natural movement to still images or illustrations by creating pins that can be manipulated and animated frame by frame. In this module, students will learn how to add pins, adjust their settings, and animate them to create organic movements. They will also learn how to add more complexity to their animations by using the Advanced Puppet Tools such as the Starch Tool, the Overlap Tool, and the Expansion Tool. By the end of the module, students will be able to create stunning animations that bring their images to life.
In this module, students will explore various effects and presets available in Adobe After Effects that can add visual interest and impact to their videos and animations. They will learn how to use text animations to bring their titles and credits to life, and use the CC Page Turn effect to simulate the look of flipping pages. They will also learn how to use the Radial and Linear Wipe effects to create transitions between clips, and how to use Color Correction and Selective Color Grading to adjust the colors and hues of their footage to achieve a desired look or mood. By mastering these effects and presets, students will have a broad range of tools to take their projects to the next level.
The Motion Tracking module in Adobe After Effects is an essential tool for video editors, motion designers, and visual effects artists. This module covers the basics of motion tracking, including setting up tracking points, analyzing motion data, and applying the tracking data to text and visual effects. With motion tracking, students will be able to add titles, logos, or any other visual elements to their footage and have them move and rotate along with the tracked object. This module also teaches how to track scale and rotation to make sure the added elements are properly aligned with the movement of the tracked object. Students will also learn how to add more details to text by attaching them to different points on the footage.
The Character Animation module in After Effects teaches students how to bring their characters to life through animation. The first step is designing and rigging a character, which involves creating a skeleton or structure that can be animated. Next, students will learn how to animate the character’s body parts such as arms, legs, and head, using keyframes and various animation techniques. They will also learn how to add expressions to their character’s movements to create more natural and fluid animation. Additionally, students will learn how to add backgrounds, textures, and other details to their animation to create a complete and polished character animation. This module is essential for students who want to create engaging and dynamic character animations in After Effects.
The Exporting From After Effects module is an essential part of the video production process since the final output of the project needs to be shared with others. In this module, students will learn the different export settings and formats available in After Effects, including exporting for YouTube, Vimeo, and social media platforms. They will also learn how to export files with a transparent background, which is useful when working with motion graphics or when the project needs to be incorporated into other videos or visual media. Additionally, students will learn how to use Adobe Media Encoder, a powerful tool for encoding and compressing video files, to export high-quality video files suitable for a range of platforms and devices.
The Working Efficiently in After Effects module aims to teach students some best practices for streamlining their workflow and maximizing productivity. One key topic covered is editing audio in After Effects, including how to import audio files, synchronize them with video footage, adjust volume levels, and add effects such as equalization and reverb. The module also covers how to work with Premiere Pro projects in After Effects, including how to import Premiere Pro sequences into After Effects, how to replace clips with After Effects compositions, and how to dynamically link projects between the two applications. Additionally, the module offers tips for organizing project files, optimizing system performance, and using keyboard shortcuts to speed up common tasks.
Expressions are a powerful tool in After Effects that allow you to automate and customize animations and effects. In this module, you’ll learn how to write expressions using JavaScript to control different properties of your layers and create complex animations. You’ll start by understanding the basics of expressions, including variables, loops, and conditionals. Then, you’ll move on to more advanced topics such as using expressions to create a flickering light effect, creating a dynamic camera shake effect, and creating custom effects that can be reused in multiple projects. By the end of this module, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to use expressions to create efficient and flexible animations and effects in After Effects.
The Conclusion module of the Certificate in Adobe After Effects course is the final step in the learning journey. It serves as a summary of the concepts and skills covered in the previous modules, allowing students to reflect on their progress and reinforce their knowledge. In addition to the review, this module also includes information on the next steps that students can take after completing the course, such as pursuing further education, building a portfolio, or seeking career opportunities. The module may also include tips on how to continue learning and practicing with Adobe After Effects. Overall, the Conclusion module is designed to help students feel confident in their ability to use Adobe After Effects effectively and to provide them with a clear direction for their next steps.
