Class Description
In this 1-day crash course, participants will be introduced to the tools needed to create and animate highly controllable characters using After Effects. The course covers how to design the characters in Photoshop or Illustrator, as well as draw them straight from After Effects; how to assemble characters with hierarchies; make realistic deformations with the Puppet tool; automate rigs with expressions; create realistic head turns, and show advanced techniques such as using null objects as bones. Finally, the course shows how to perform a basic animation with the character and ensure the rig works correctly. Exercise files are included in the course.
Course Benefits
- Learn how to import Illustrator or Photoshop files into After Effects
- Discover animating shapes
- Organize scenes with null layers
- Work with the Puppet tool
- Create replacement animation using time remapping
- Automate head turns
- Create a master control node with Expression Controls effects
- Set up a scene for animation
- Animate dialogue
Suggested Prerequisites
This class is appropriate for novice users of After Effects. Experience with Photoshop or attendance of our Adobe Photoshop CC Essential Skills class will be necessary in order to get the most out of this class. We also recommend that you have the Adobe After Effects software before starting the class. You can purchase the software or obtain a trial version of it from the Adobe web site.
Course Outline
- Designing Characters
- Drawing Characters in After Effects
- Assembling Characters Using Hierarchies
- Working with the Puppet Tool
- Replacement Animation
- Automating Head Turns
- Automating Character Rigs with Expressions
- Advanced Puppet Tool Rigging
- Animating a Scene
Related Classes
- 3ds Max 101 – AutoDesk 3ds Max Essentials
- Adobe Video 501 – Adobe Video Professional Bootcamp
- After Effects 101 – Adobe After Effects Essentials
- After Effects 201 – Adobe After Effects Advanced
- After Effects 202 – Creating Animated Characters in After Effects
- After Effects 501 – Adobe After Effects Bootcamp
- Animate 101 – Adobe Animate Essentials
- Animate 201 – Adobe Animate Advanced
- Animate 501 – Adobe Animate Bootcamp
- Audition 101 – Adobe Audition Essentials
Our goal is to make sure your class meets your objectives, not ours. Therefore, all of our outlines are treated as guides to help steer the workshop. This outline does not guarantee that all the topics listed will be covered in the time allowed. The amount of material covered is based on the skill level of the student audience. We may change or alter course topics to best suit the classroom situation.
Locations