Creating the composition. Shape layers are created automatically when you draw a shape with any of the drawing tools

Getting started

Shape layers are created automatically when you draw a shape with any of the drawing tools. You can customize and transform an individual shape or its entire layer to create interesting results. In this lesson, you will use shape layers to build a dynamic background for the introduction of a reality series called DJ Quad Master.

You’ll also use the Cartoon effect to change the overall look of the video. This effect performs best with video cards that support OpenGL. You may choose to skip the Cartoon effect exercise; if you do, you’ll be able to finish the project, but it won’t match the sample movie.

First, you’ll preview the final movie and set up the project.

1 Make sure the following files are in the AECS5_CIB/Lessons/Lesson04 folder on your hard disk, or copy them from the Adobe After Effects CS5 Classroom in a Book DVD now:

􀁴 In the Assets folder: DJ.mov, gc_adobe_dj.mp3

􀁴 In the Sample_Movie folder: Lesson04.mov

2 Open and play the Lesson04.mov sample movie to see what you will create in this lesson. When you are done, quit QuickTime Player. You may delete this sample movie from your hard disk if you have limited storage space.

As you start After Effects, restore the default application settings. See “Restoring default preferences” on page 3.

3 Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Windows) or Command+Option+Shift (Mac OS) while starting After Effects. When asked whether you want to delete your preferences file, click OK.

4 Click Close to close the Welcome screen.

After Effects opens to display a blank, untitled project.

5 Choose File > Save As, and then navigate to the AECS5_CIB/Lessons/Lesson04/Finished_Project folder.

6 Name the project Lesson04_Finished.aep, and then click Save.

Next, you’ll import the files you need and create the composition.

1 Double-click an empty area of the Project panel to open the Import File dialog box.

2 Navigate to the AECS5_CIB/Lessons/Lesson04/Assets folder on your hard disk, Shift-click to select the DJ.mov and gc_adobe_dj.mp3 files, and then click Open.

3 Choose File > New > New Folder to create a new folder in the Project panel.

4 Name the folder Assets, press Enter or Return to accept the name, and then drag the footage items you imported into the Assets folder.

5 Press Ctrl+N (Windows) or Command+N (Mac OS) to create a new composition.

6 In the Composition Settings dialog box, name the composition Shapes Background, select the NTSC DV preset, and set the Duration to 10:00. Then click OK.

_ Tip: To specify 10 seconds, type 10. In the Duration box. The period indicates that there are no units in that position. To specify 10 minutes, type 10.. in the box.

After Effects opens the new composition in the Timeline and Composition panels.

Дата добавления: 2014-11-20