OUGD202 - Software Workshop - After Effects [5]

Summary

• Advanced keyframe techniques
• Grouping 'layers' together
• Importing and using audio

U = Position

Each solid is currently moving at a constant speed, an unnatural movement
Needs acceleration and deceleration - provides a more natural 'feel'

Quick shortcuts and presets that allow us to change how this keyframe works
Animation > Keyframe assistant > Ease out

The frames with the blue solid layer are constant

With the 'ease out' keyframe, there are many frames towards the beginning of the movement

Both layers begin and end at the same point and time

Ease in on the last key frame = deceleration (Starts quicker, ends slower)

Selecting both position keyframes and adding 'easy ease' = combination of the two

Graph editor

With the graph editor, you can see the movement of the layer more clearly

Changes in speed can be altered simply be changing the position of the anchor points

You can just use the speed graph to add acceleration and deceleration

You can use the yellow handles to alter the shape of the curve

Make sure 'edit speed graph' is highlighted

Pendulum

Double click on ellipse tool to add a circular mask

Use the 'pan behind' tool to move the anchor point towards the top of the composition

Added 3 rotation keyframes (70, -70, 70)

Edit value & speed graph differs

I then made sure the keyframes were evenly spaced

I ensured the handles were also even

Common animation / Grouping

Parent and child relationship

One layer = parent

Select multiple layers, aside from one, and change its 'parent' to the other layer

When you make changes to the parent layer, all the other layers are linked

The 'children' layers scale, rotate and so on around the same anchor point

Independent keyframes can be added even after setting the parent layer

If you change the opacity of the parent layer, it doesnt apply to the child layers

Set the parent of the yellow wheels to the red car

The child layers are still moving independently

Added 3 position keyframes (the middle being at the top of the hill)

I altered the motion path to fit the path of the hill

Layer > Transform > Auto-orient

Ensures the layer follows the orientation of the motion path.

Nested compositions

One composition inside another

Select all layers > Layer > Pre-compose

The 3 layers are then replaced with one layer

All the transform properties retain

If you double click on the composition, you are then able to alter individual layers

The pre-composed composition and the original composition are linked

Changing a colour in the 'car' comp alters the main comp