After Effects Apprentice: 04 Layer Control

A tour of editing and enhancement techniques for After Effects layers.

Introduction

• Overview
• Software versions and exercise files

1. Editing Layers in Time

• Stacking and sliding layers
• Trimming layers in the Timeline panel
• Trimming in the Layer panel
• Pre-trimming and inserting layers from the Footage panel
• Slip editing

2. Sequencing Layers

• Applying sequence layers to footage
• Using sequence layers with objects
• Example: Sequence layers and photographs
• Creating a new composition using sequence layers
• Understanding the importance of layer order

3. Looping, Stretching, and Frame Blending Footage

• Looping footage
• Importing a sequence of still images
• Using Time Stretch vs. altering frame rates
• Frame blending

4. Blending Modes

• Applying effects
• Overview of blending modes
• Combining modes and effects
• Why apply effects to slides?

5. Effects and Presets

• Using the Effects & Presets panel
• Applying presets
• Working with behaviors
• Creating and saving presets
• Property links and effects

6. Layer Styles

• Importing Photoshop files with layer styles
• Applying layer styles inside After Effects

7. Adjustment Layers

• Using adjustment layers
• Working with adjustment layers and alpha channels
• Applying a filmic glow treatment

8. Quizzlers

• Quizzler challenges
• Quizzler solution one: Pyrotechnic composite
• Quizzler solution two: Sequenced fades

9. Idea Corner

• Idea corner one: Adjustment layer shapes
• Idea corner two: Creating a traveling glass bar
• Idea corner three: Creating sequences from filmstrips

10. Sidebars

• Looping footage by crossfading
• Working with effect point paths
• Brainstorming
• Working with pixel aspect ratios
• Higher quality upscaling