Introduction to After Effects
Adobe After Effects is the industry-standard motion graphics and visual effects application. Used by professionals worldwide for creating cinematic visual effects, motion graphics, and video compositing. The software operates on a layer-based editing system similar to Photoshop, making it intuitive for designers already familiar with Adobe's ecosystem.
Key Concepts
Adobe Suite Integration
- Seamless import from Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro
- Dynamic Link for real-time updates between applications
- Shared Creative Cloud Libraries
Primary Use Cases
- Graphic Animation — animated logos, titles, lower thirds
- VFX — compositing, color grading, rotoscoping
- Video Editing — layer-based timeline with precise control
Customizable Workspace
- Drag and dock panels to create custom layouts
- Save workspace presets for different workflows
- Keyboard shortcuts fully customizable
Tips & Best Practices
- Reset your workspace (Window > Workspace > Reset) if panels get disorganized
- Use workspaces optimized for your task: Animation, Color, Motion Tracking
- Enable GPU acceleration in Preferences for smoother playback
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