Please see below for some technical assistance tips and resources for working in After Effects.

AE Keyboard Shortcuts

AE Help
AE Effects List (with descriptions and examples)
Adobe Help

Recommended AE Folder Structure:

00_Output
01_Comps
– z_Precomps
02_Footage
– Audio
– Design
— AI
— PSD
— z_Misc
– Mov Files
– Reference ONLY

Rendering Movies:
To render out a movie, go to….

1. Composition > Add To Render Queue

2. Render Settings > Best Settings
– Quality: Best
– Resolution: Full
(Defaults may be fine otherwise; take a look)

3. Output Module > Lossless
– Format: H.264 (for YouTube or Vimeo)
– Check Audio Output box

4. Output To
Browse to location for Output

5. Click on Render (upper right hand corner of Queue panel)

Rendering Movies for YouTube:
All assignments must be posted on our class YouTube account. This is where we will view them. Please note:

• Sometimes it can take several hours for a video to upload so plan accordingly
• Make sure you properly compress videos for upload to keep a smaller file size. Generally speaking using the CODEC h.264 is recommended (NOT “animation”).

More about the Codec: H.264:

A codec is the format in which your video will be encoded. Vimeo accepts most major video codecs, but for best results we recommend using H.264. If you’re uploading High Definition (HD) video, choose the High Profile H.264 setting instead of Main Profile.

Advanced H.264 settings: To make your uploads extra smooth, choose the following advanced settings whenever possible.
Closed GOP
CABAC (to reduce your file size)

Source: https://vimeo.com/help/compression

AE Keyboard Shortcuts:

To bring up the transform properties of a selected layer

A – anchor point
P – position
S – scale
R – rotation
T – opacity
U – will bring up only layers with keyframes
E – will bring up only effects

add the shift key to see multiple properties, i.e.
P shift+S shift+R will bring up position, scale and rotation

OPTION + any transform property will add a FIRST keyframe while bringing it up.
i.e. Option P will open the position property and add a keyframe at the same time. *this is only with the first keyframe

left bracket [ – will move the IN point of your layer to the timeline marker
right bracket ] – will move the OUT point of your layer to the timeline marker

OPTION + left bracket -will cut the in point of your layer to where you are in timeline
OPTION + right bracket – will cut the out point of your layer to where you are in the timeline

WORK AREA – move your timeline marker to where you want it to begin and press B move your timeline marker to where you want it to end and press N

IBON (In, Beginning, Out, eNd)

SEE:
List of updated Keyboard Shortcuts
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/keyboard-shortcuts-reference.html#activating_tools_keyboard_shortcuts

Shortcuts for non numerical key boards (ie laptops):

RAM preview with audio: Control+0 (zero)
Mark audio: Control+8
Manually preview audio: Command-drag current-time indicator
Preview only audio from current timeline: Control+. (period)
Preview only audio from current work area: Control+Option+. (period)

MECCA of all keyboard shortcuts, including non numerical keyboards:

Roto Brush Tool
http://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/roto-brush-refine-matte.html

Rotoscoping
http://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/animating-shape-paths-masks.html#rotoscoping_introduction_and_resources

Square and Non-Square Pixels / Aspect Ratios
http://www.lurkertech.com/lg/pixelaspect/

Set up Auto Save on Mac OS:
After Effects > Preferences > Auto-Save (Mac OS)

To show tool tips:
select the Show Tool Tips preference (Edit > > General (Windows) or After Effects > Preferences > General (Mac OS)).