Never used After Effects before? No problem! In this video, we're going to build an animation for social media using very simple tools.
Even if you're entirely new to After Effects and motion design, by the end of this tutorial, you'll have an awesome finished result and you'll have taken your first real steps in your journey as a mograph artist.
Don't forget to download the project files below so you can follow along!
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Snag Nol's project files and follow along.
In the tutorial above, After Effects wiz Nol Honig shares his 3 "must-know" tools for every aspiring motion designer. We encourage you to watch the full tutorial—he shares a wealth of super actionable tips. Short on time? Here are the top 3 AE tools that are foundational to every great project:
⌾ Shape Up Your AE Projects with Shapes
Shapes are the building blocks of design in After Effects. From simple rectangles to complex polygons, shapes can be used to create backgrounds, patterns, and even animated characters. The shape tool offers a variety of options, including rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and stars. By adjusting properties like stroke width and fill color, you can customize your shapes to fit your project's aesthetic.
Tip: Use the polygon tool to create triangles and other polygonal shapes. Experiment with the number of points to create different shapes, and don't forget to play with the rotation to add dynamic angles to your design.
◻︎ Reveal Your Vision with Masks in After Effects
Masks are essential for revealing or hiding parts of your layers. They work similarly to shapes but offer more control over the visibility of your elements. Whether you want to create a transition effect or highlight a specific area, masks are your go-to tool.
Tip: When working with masks, remember that the order matters. Adjust the mask order to ensure that the desired parts of your layer are revealed or hidden correctly. Use the mask feather feature to soften the edges of your mask for a more seamless blend.
⬖ Bring Your Designs to Life with Keyframes
Keyframes are the heart of animation in After Effects. They allow you to set the start and end points of any property change, creating movement and transformation over time. From position and scale to rotation and opacity, keyframes give you the power to animate every aspect of your design.
Tip: To create more natural and engaging animations, add ease to your keyframes. This will make your animations start and end more smoothly, adding a professional touch to your work. For sudden changes, use hold keyframes to instantly switch between values without interpolation.
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