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Module 07 / 9

Effects

After Effects includes hundreds of built-in effects for color correction, distortion, simulation, and stylization. Learning to combine effects opens unlimited creative possibilities.

Key Concepts

Animation Presets

  • Recolor — change layer colors non-destructively
  • Utility — time remapping, expressions, masks
  • Browse presets in Effects & Presets panel

Advanced Effects

  • Echo — creates motion trails from previous frames
  • Time Displacement — distorts time based on luminance
  • Displacement Map — warps layer based on another layer

Manipulation Effects

  • Track Matte — use alpha/luma from another layer as mask
  • Set Matte — more flexible matte options
  • Textures — add grain, noise, fractal textures

Tips & Best Practices

  • Use Adjustment Layers to apply effects to multiple layers
  • Pre-compose before applying intensive effects for better performance
  • Save your own presets for frequently used effect combinations

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