After effects session 2, using software you know to get started in after effects

Temporal - arrangement assets and move in relation to time -

Spacial - you have a page and position image and text on the page - e.g. indesign.

Importing files from photoshop to after effects

72 dpi resolution

Presets available 

The outside blue line around the canvas is the 'action safe zone' and the one on the inside is the 'title safe zone'. 

On after effects if you click this button it will show zones. 

Save them as psd files. 

Widescreen preset used to create 'TEXT' file. 

When importing, 'footage' will occupy ONE layer. 

This shows the file path for the documents, similar to indesign this shows you that it needs the paths and to stay organised. 

To get it onto the composition, drag it on. 

Rarely need to use what's in the layer folder, including the files. Will use the composition.

Any file could contain several compositions within one file but you don't need to use it.

Used when you want to move each letter or part separately. 

When importing, decide between composition or composition (retain layers).

Illustrator allows us to scale as it uses vectors. 


After effects rasterises the image, thus turning dots to pixels. NEED to change layer settings. 


Layer switches

The shy switch

will hide any labels that are clicked down. 

this button allows you to apply the shy switch

quality switch

fx - enables/disables effects from other software if you want to run ram preview without complicated effects.

two pieces of film - frame blending switch (used if slowing down film)

adjustment layer -



Continual rasterising for each frame, will remain VECTOR ARTWORK.

When using external software, keep everything in one folder. STAY organised. 

After effects can ensure you have all of your files for one project.