After Effects: Knowledge and Research

The following is an in-lesson exercise to test knowledge of different effects and scenarios that could be used in Adobe After Effects, as well as the ability to research previously unknown answers. Any questions whose answers were found via research have been marked (*) and their references listed at the end of the task.

1. What are compositions, how can they used? How can you use compositions this in your Character backstory projects?

Compositions are user-made sequences of visual effects that can be used multiple times in one project, and can be easily edited to change all instances of said composition

2. Converting standard keyframes to Easy Ease…what are the results and how can you adjust the result further?

Easy Ease makes effects smoother and more natural by changing keyframe timings to create the illusion of “acceleration” effects. This is just a shortcut for making effects more natural and much better effects can be made by using the graph editor to change the timings manually.

3. Give a scenario example of where you would use a mask.

Masks can be used to create colour-changing effects, where layers underneath one another change colour based on the movements of a layer above it.

4. Define the differences between a Vector image and a Rasterized image.

Vector images are stored as code and equations, which means they can be resized without loss of quality. Rasterized images are essentially bitmap images, meaning they can make more effective use of many effects such as more detailed opacity effects.

*5. Explain the process of how to stabilize motion, and how to track motion using the Tracker window.

Motion stabilizing in After Effects can make use of the Warp Stabilizer tool, which automatically analyses the footage and stabilizes the image.

6. What is a Null in After Effects? Give a scenario of where you can potentially use this.

A Null is an invisible layer used for manipulating other layers, either from using it as a parent for other layers, a tracking point or otherwise.

7. Give two examples of Keyboard shortcuts you can use in After Effects.

F4 toggles the switches visible in the timeline Ctrl+N creates a new composition

8. How do you export a completed edit in After Effects (in other words, how do you render your video?) and what settings do you need to check?

Add the composition(s) to the render queue. Settings can be changed via Render Settings (to change the quality) and Output Module (to change the format), and the file’s export location can be chosen under Output To.

*9. What effect(s) can you use to key out footage shot against a solid colour background?

This result can be achieved using the Keylight, Key Cleaner and Advanced Spill Suppressor effects.

10. How are scripts used in After Effects? Give an example of a script.

Scripts are used when the user wants to define a certain object’s manipulation in a complex manner, for example shaking an object along a predefined axis. Here is an example used in my project:

The result is a subtle shaking effect.

References used:

https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/tracking-stabilizing-motion-cs5.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/keying.html