After Effects Workshop [2]

Notes from the session:

Useful keyboard shortcuts

'P' to reveals the position properties

'A' reveals the anchor point properties

'S' reveals the scale properties

'T' reveals opacity properties

'R' reveals rotation properties

'I' will take the time marker to the beginning of the layer's timeline

'O' will take the time marker to the end of the layers timeline

'U' reveals all animated properties of a layer

By selecting multiple layers one may reveal and modify the layer properties simultaneously.

Key frames may also be selected and modified simultaneously using the same method.

After Effects applies an interpolation method to define the transitions between anchor points. The presets which define the interpolation may be changed.

When creating Photoshop files, prepare the document using the same presets as After Effects.

The document automatically includes guides that reveal the title and action 'safe zones'.

If we are using an image which uses transparency (includes an alpha channel) we must save the image as a .psd.

If the image does not have transparent image, one may save it as a .jpg, .tiff or .psd

File-> Import -> Import Files -> Import as:

Footage (for singlular images)

Composition (for layered .psd files)

Composition - Retain Layer Sizes (as above, but gives each layer it's own individual anchor point)

File -> Dependancies -> Collect Files

This will create copies of all used files to prevent losing assets.