Generally, video is something that I do not deal with. My PC is a little under powered when it comes to serious rendering. However, with After Effects CS3, I make an exception.
Most of my world revolves around web design mainly in Flash. I use some of the other CS3 suite tools to help as well. Sometimes though, I have found that creating visual effects is actually easier in After Effects than in Flash. It may be an effect that would require a lot of ActionScript. It also could be an effect that I just can’t generate in Flash. In those cases, After Effects really comes in handy.
I started using After Effects back in version 6.0. I have to say that for every version Adobe listens to their users and make the most impactful upgrades; CS3 is no exception.
For those not familiar with After Effects, this program enables you to create all sorts of visual effects for video (primarily). After Effects CS3 integrates seamlessly with its big brother, Premiere Pro CS3. New to the scene is Photoshop CS3 Extended. The tight integration enables you to move back and forth between these three programs to accomplish the overall project. For example, now in you can move layer styles from Photoscope CS3 into After Effects without flattening them (and losing the layers).
I will say that with After Effects, you can produce some astounding visual effects, however, like its big brother there is a steep learning curve. Timelines, key frames, etc. are not for the faint of heart. Flash users have a little easier time, so they already understand the timeline concepts.
A Few of After Effects CS3 features:
Views / Workspaces – Like all CS3 products, After Effects gives you the flexibility to create custom workspaces. This is very handy so you can design your views and workspaces around your workflow.
Adjustment Layers – Those users familiar with Photoshop will notice that After Effects also has adjustment layers which apply effects to any layers below.
Vanishing Point – Vanishing point has been around Photoshop since the previous version. However, now you can export Vanishing point data for images you create in Photoshop CS3 Extended in After Effects in order to build a 3D image from a 2D Photoshop image.
Shape Layers – The new Shape Layers enables you to have more control over the splines you use. Now individual layers can have multiple paths, associate paths and other effects. You can combine the paths to create infinite possibilities.
Puppet Tool – A new unusual tool in After Effects is the new puppet tool. Without a lot of effort, you can take still images and give them more “life” by enabling them to move beyond the bounding box.
Multiple Color Modes – You can create a composition in 8-bit mode and then render the final output to 16-32 bit color mode. This enables you to produce film/HDTV ready compositions in a broad range of colors.
GPU Acceleration – You can put together both 2D and 3D layers in one composition. This feature utilizes OpenGL acceleration. Note – be sure you have a decent video card to get the most benefit out of this feature.
Text Tools – Use the text tools that you are familiar with from other Adobe programs within After Effects. It’s nice to not have to learn EVERYTHING new again.
Creating for the Web – For web designs (like me!), you can export the animations you create to vector-based SWF files for easy addition to HTML pages, or use within Flash projects.
Visual Effects – After Effects has a ton of visual effects you can employ such as rendering particles, creating blurs, creating fractal noice, 3D effects and more.
Masking – After Effects also has great masking tools, which can be applied to both 2D and 3D layers. RotoBezier masks are another wonderful aspect to masking in After Effects.
Keylighting – Keylighting (Chromakey) seems to always be a challenge, when working with video. Keylighting in After Effects is easy and you can do very detailed work (hair, for example).
Motion Tools – The motion tools enable you to create effects like timewarping. This feature also has precise motion tracking and stabilization features.
Table Support – Like all of the other Adobe Suite products, After Effects supports the use of Wacom tablets—a definite plus!
Audio Tools – Along with all of the video tools, After Effects also comes complete with some impressive audio editing tools including a stereo mixer, spectrum and waveform effects. If you need to do more with the audio, you can easily export to and import from Soundbooth.
Summary
Once again Adobe has the “pulse” of its users. They have provided some practical, user-requested features in the new CS3 Professional. With After Effects and your own
PC or Mac, you can create awe-inspiring compositions. There are many more features than I have not listed. Be sure to check out them all at Adobe’s website:
http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/ .
Testing Specifications:
CPU – Athlon 2.0
RAM – 1 GHz
OS – Windows XP Pro
Additional: Wacom Bluetooth Tablet