Archived copy for reference only
 

 

Graphic Design / Interactive Design / Fine & Applied Arts / Parkland College

Graphic Design Exercises
After Effects: Video (Armide)

(Archived from 2019)

Objective

To learn After Effects production techniques by recreating the above video.

Procedure

preparing for the exercise

  1. download starter files
  2. examine downloaded files
  3. launch After Effects
  4. file > import > "armide.ai" (as composition)
  5. file > import > multiple files (all other assets)
  6. view > resolution > half (previews faster at lo-res)
  7. file > save as "armide.aep"

creating the "dancers" sequence

  1. open "armide" composition, confirm duration=30;00
  2. make "dancers" into a pre-comp (RMB)
  3. open "dancers" composition; duration=5;00
  4. rename "dancers" layer "small" (RMB)
  5. layer > 3D layer
  6. scale larger (S); move up (Y=high) (P)
  7. tween X position from left to right (00;00-05;00) (P)
  8. duplicate "small" layer (cmd+D); rename "medium"
  9. parent=small
  10. delete keyframes
  11. adjust Y, Z positions (P)
  12. duplicate "medium" layer (cmd+D); rename "large"; repeat
  13. layer > new > adjustment layer (rename "levelsDark", restack between "large" and "medium")
  14. effect > color correction > levels (make darker)
  15. repeat

animating the final movie

  1. go to "armide" composition
  2. delete "bg" layer
  3. drag "amideBounce.mp3" into timeline, start sound @ 1;00
  4. expand waveform, add markers to start/end of sound (2;15, 26;00)
  5. go to "series" layer
  6. tween opacity (T):
    • 00;00 = 0
    • 01;15 = 100
    • 04;00 = 100
    • 05;15 = 0 (trim: opt+] )
  7. go to "dancers" pre-comp; start pre-comp at 5;15 ( [ )
  8. tween opacity (T):
    • 05;15 = 0
    • 06;15 = 100
    • 09;15 = 100
    • 10;15 = 0
  9. drag "face.png" into timeline
  10. tween scale (S):
    • 10;15 = large (trim: opt+[ )
    • 15;15 = small (trim: opt+] )
  11. select both keyframes
  12. animation > keyframe assistant > easy ease (F9)
  13. add effect: gausssian blur
    • 10;15 = 22
    • 15;15 = 0
  14. tween opacity (T):
    • 10;15 = 0
    • 11;15 = 100
    • 14;15 = 100
    • 15;15 = 0
  15. drag "dagger.png" into timeline; scale to 85% (S)
  16. tween position (P):
    • 15;15 = offstage top (trim: opt+[ )
    • 16;00 = kiss bottom
    • 20;00 = kiss bottom
    • 21;00 = low (trim: opt+] )
  17. tween scale (S):
    • 20;00 = 85%
    • 21;00 = 120%
  18. select 4 keyframes at 20, 21 (scale, position)
  19. animation > keyframe assistant > easy ease (F9)

animating masks

  1. layer > new > solid (color=red, below "dagger.png") (cmd+Y)
  2. trim layer: visible from 16;00 to 18;15 (opt+[ or ] )
  3. tween opacity (T):
    • 17;15 = 100
    • 18;15 = 0
  4. layer > mask > new mask (cmd+shift+N)
  5. twirl down to mask path property in timeline, transform (cmd+T)
  6. scale mask larger; move right (lower left corner is on point of dagger); mode: substract
  7. tween mask rotation (cmd+T); move center of rotation to lower left corner:
    • 16;00 = normal
    • 16;15 = rotated 90° clockwise
  8. repeat with new mask (intersect with first mask)
  9. drag "face2.png" to below "red" layer
  10. trim layer to start at 17;15 (trim: opt+[ )
  11. drag "title" to above "dagger" layer
  12. tween opacity (T):
    • 22;00 = 0 (trim: opt+[ )
    • 23;00 = 100
  13. layer > new > solid (color=black, below mp3 layer) (cmd+Y)
  14. tween opacity (T):
    • 25;00 = 0 (trim: opt+[ )
    • 26;00 = 100
  15. drag "logo" to above "black" layer
  16. tween opacity (1 sec fade in/out @ 26, 29 sec):
    • 26;00 = 0 (trim: opt+[ )
    • 27;00 = 100
    • 29;00 = 100
    • 30;00 = 0
  17. continuous rasterize all vector layers
  18. turn on motion blur for all layers
  19. save

rendering a SD movie for YouTube

  1. "armide": compositon > add to Adobe Media Encoder queue (cmd+opt+M)
  2. choose preset "YouTube 480p SD wide"
  3. output to: "armide_SD.mp4"
  4. start queue

rendering a HD movie for your archives (optional)

  1. "armide": compositon > add to Adobe Media Encoder queue (cmd+opt+M)
  2. choose preset "YouTube 720p HD"
  3. output to: "armide_HD.mp4"
  4. start queue

grading

  1. upload "armide_SD.mp4" to your personal YouTube account (privacy=unlisted)
  2. publish unlisted web address as a link from your process page

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Last updated: 5/7/21