3 Powerful Tips for After Effects Beginners - Instant Look Upgrades

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Designers from just about every discipline are realizing the huge career benefits one can get from adding motion to their arsenal. After Effects is the big-dawg as far as Motion Design software goes, and it can have a steep learning curve. When you're starting out, it's very helpful to have a few "go-to" tricks up your sleeve to make your work stand out.
In this tutorial, After Effects Kickstart instructor Nol Honig will show you 3 powerful tips that are meant to help beginners produce work that feels like they've been at this for years. You learn a bit about the curves editor, some adjustment layer voodoo, and an animation trick that will fool everyone!
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Auto-Generated Transcript Below 👇
Nol Honig (00:00): Hey there I'm Nol Honig freelance motion designer, award-winning teacher, and occasionally a guy who wears ties in this quick video. I'm going to show you three tips to instantly improve your work in after effects. If you're just starting out, this is definitely for you Learning the tricks of the trade. And after effects is super important. If you want to be a professional motion designer, I teach workflow tips like these and a bunch of other good habits in my after effects kickstart course. So check that out. If you really want to understand the fundamentals of after effects, also, you can download the project files that I'm using in this video to follow along or practice these techniques. After you're done, watching details are in the description.
Nol Honig (00:54): My first tip is using easy ease and the speed graph to make your movements and after effects feel more interesting and or more natural. So I've got this scene here, which is just a beach ball that kind of gets thrown up and then falls back down again. All right. And right now this feels super weird and stiff because by default, after effects puts linear key frames into your animation. So basically if I select one of these key frames and I click here on this button and what we can see here is that the speed is constant throughout both of these moves, it doesn't accelerate or decelerate, and this is why it just doesn't feel very natural and why it feels super stiff. And after effects has a command built right in that fixes this, and it's called easy ease. So I'm going to take the key frames that I want to put easy, ease on.
Nol Honig (01:47): I'm going to right click on here and go down to my key frame assistant. And here you can see here easy ease. And the keyboard shortcut is F nine, which is a really good one to remember because you'll probably be using this a bunch. Okay. So I'm going to do that right now. You can see that it's converted the diamond shaped linear key frames into these hourglass shaped frames or ease key frames. And if I press this button and jump back into the graph, you can see at a glance that this is now very, very different looking. So the way this works is that the speed here is starting at zero and it's getting faster and faster. And then it's decelerating or decreasing back down to zero right away. This is going to feel much more naturalistic than the linear key frames. So let me show you what this looks like.
Nol Honig (02:31): So it's not perfect, but it's definitely feeling better. And what you can see is like what I was just saying, it sort of speeding up and then it's pausing and then it's speeding up again and pausing as it gets back down right toward the end. And actually it's that end bit there. That for me, makes it look very non naturalistic because as things fall, they increase in speed or at the very least stay at a constant speed once they start falling. So I'm going to show you how I would adjust and, uh, give this a much more naturalistic feel. So when I on these points and these points in here correspond exactly to my key frames, by the way, when I click on here, I get these handles. Okay. And the handles allow me to adjust how fast the speed increases in decreases as it comes in and out of these key frame points.
For the full transcript visit: som.bz/2wHcGWs

[@ninanavina10]

This has to be the most well explained video regarding keyframes, speed graphs, easy ease etc. I'm completely new to AE and trying to learn it on my own. Thanks for explaining the logic behind everything being done! Makes it so much easier to understand and remember! This helped so much!

[@chadiwack]

Thank you for making this. Always happy to see your vids. I always leave knowing more. Easy to watch and enjoyable.

[@hevaslan]

Oh, boy, I just found this channel of yours and I'm just totally loving it. So pleasant and easy to catch up.

[@veightyone]

wow, adjustment layers explained plain and simple, can't wait to try them out now

[@gellayo9885]

Cooool!!! Thanks a lot! And YES - we want more tutorilas like this! please )))

[@callmejolee]

That last tip was so simple, but kind of life changing. 😂😂😂

[@thinkpixelsblog]

Totally agree!

[@gonoszcerkof]

So damn stupid, yet effective... Never REALLY crossed my mind and I've been doing this shit for nearly 2 decades. 😄

[@jeremyzhu8885]

totally think the same

[@Gasconauxolives]

Activate the motion blur on the layers and it will become even more seamless

[@hvrtado]

I agree!! lolol

[@thinkpixelsblog]

3rd tip on transitions is great! Gotta try that in some of my work

[@dilpreetsingh197]

Great tutorial Nol!

[@Boipelo]

So great! Thanks

[@peenut]

To really spice up the last one, i recommend adding a forced motion blur set to a shutter angle of 120 (although the shutter angle is really personal preference). You can add it to just the first text, or both. Either looks good!

[@youtubereact_v1]

Tip no 2 BEST, BEST, BEST!!!!!!!

[@uncletrick1]

Nol is the man. Great teacher!

[@Amandeepsingh1313]

Thank you sir for teaching your way of explanation is SIMPLE CATCHY . IM INTERESTED IN YOUR COURSE

[@conyersfamily]

Awesome tips! Thank you!

[@hvrtado]

Amazing tips! thank you for sharing!! :)

[@conormurphy7058]

Love it!

[@mohsen1]

awesome, thanks for sharing these techniques

[@tinab3001]

amazing tutorial !!

[@user-lf7jb9ud6j]

inded the tips are powerful! thank you

[@sla817]

thank you! so useful...

[@TheRimma1987]

The best chanel for beginners. Thank you!

[@chntubeok]

Great toturail!

[@eswarkumarkantheti]

Thank you for sharing. Very Nice!

[@rohitsharma6533]

The last tip blew me off!! Amazing

[@CGCafe]

Simple but to the point. Thx bro.

[@dvhughesdesign]

Very useful tips. Thank you.

[@psychod74]

thankks

[@Ayman-tk9bq]

Thank you very much

[@JuhiDavda]

super useful!! thanks :D

[@roswell851]

Great explanation!

[@TheSamanthaverde]

Super helpfull!! this tips really change everything haha

[@alexdib3915]

Thank you!

[@thomaswallace9814]

Tips were awesomely simple and easy to follow, appreciate it brother :)

[@laocai1983]

this is really helpful~~~ thks！！！

[@danielroland104]

You are such a great teacher. I'm sure you know that already

[@keithflicks1017]

Loved it

[@avinashsurve2898]

Thanks for this video

[@bashirahmad4889]

I am new to your channel, you are a great mentor. Stay blessed you and your family.

[@noicerone]

You rocked sir!

[@user-sz1hk5sx6k]

That's great👍🏼

[@paveldeb3251]

School of motion is doing some great stuffs man!😀

[@sehbaanabbasi]

i i watch your vids and i like the fact that u guys put anchor points in the intros

[@fosfode]

thank you

[@MatterFML420]

U re great guy ❤️

[@amansharma9060]

I JUST LOVE YOUR VIDEOS ESPECIALLY YOUR INTRO♥

[@ThisOLmaan]

whoa K you have a way of explaining AF as i never heard B4, maybe now i can follow,😁👍🏼 most other videos i was like this 🤔💫

[@Antonio.63]

You really cool! thanks :)

[@lucyouhoumartin629]

10/10 very good tutorials

[@Researcher_Ryan]

Adding a motion blur on the last effect would make it seem more seamless imo. Especially with the rotation one. I think adding a motion blur to most kinetic graphics is a good way of showing realism on top of giving you more ways to "hide" things.

[@df.design]

exactly. thx for this

[@dataminedatamine6445]

Just stepping up from Camtasia so this is very useful. I'm determined not to fade stuff again!

[@bySterling]

Great tips! Curious if the final beachball effect can be saved as an action/easing effect?

[@martinmcglone8456]

great teaching

[@avinashsurve2898]

Thanks

[@MilkToday]

How did the 'Tip #2' text go out one side of the frame and back in form the other side with just one text layer?

[@euelias3462]

New subscriber!

[@thenickmurphy13]

Does anyone know how the path keyframes are created for the squares in tip two? I am trying to create a box like that.

[@aguimaraens]

Wonderfull

[@EGJohnEGSmith-jb9xx]

Sounds like you could be related to Mr Van Driessen! You both are good teachers.👍🏼 🤘🏼

[@shamirareddy754]

Last tip was kinda cool n easyy

[@hosseineditor2165]

Awesome

[@youngTAGZ]

I’m thinking about buying the kickstart course what happens when I finish the course will I no longer have access to the tutorial-videos

[@djsartstudio9506]

This looks great! However, How did you get it to play the preview?! Wow! Lol yeah, very simple, but its what keeping me from learning the app and finishing a very important project. its not play backing my work (apparently a common issue? I have a pretty good and new macbook pro too)....any tips on that?

[@MohitGupta-zm9vk]

you are awesome

[@f.herumusu8341]

Without friction physics says that the curve of velocity for the ball should be a straight line as v=a*t+v_0 and a equals g=-9.81 m/s^2 in this case if your axis points in upward direction.

[@paulvansommeren]

What's the "Animation Preset" under Posterize Time?

[@varic]

Thanks a lot! Can you help me with one little thing: my Graph Editor looks different from yours. What version of AE you used for this?

[@camelkett]

I had this issue too. When you are in your graph editor, click on the little " bullet point list" icon on the bottom, just to the right of the Eye icon. Select speed graph from there. Then it will look like this video.

[@babyjordie6853]

I have a problem. My keyframes arent' working when I try to use the evolution on the adj. layer SEND HELP PLEASE

[@joakimkempff9313]

Three excellent tips! Thanks!

[@-schattenpflanze-3755]

How/where can I update R18 to r21?

[@andershattne]

I prefer to do the cut with hold keyframes on the opacity. .. and link the opacity to the other with an easy expression; 100 - the other layers opacity; that way they invert eachother

[@PrithviSingh]

How to create that rectangle animation from tip 2

[@savagarnie]

Change the value of axis Y scale but don't forget to uncheck the constrain propotion, or Create Shape from vector layer, or Convert To Bezier Path if u make rectangle from Rectangle Tool.

[@MilanPetrovic1987]

Damn when I saw that Mickey Mouse jitter with that 12fps BOOOi that was so simple and sweet. Thank you sir! Blessings of Akatosh upon ye

[@spetauskas]

video 3:04 for what reasons handles wont appear. ? I see only dots :D

[@codeIMperfect]

Well if you could subscribe to a channel multiple times, I'd hit that sub button 50 times already 😂 You guys are just great!

[@ozairjbutt1364]

2nd tip was also used in Ed, Edd and Eddy cartoon as well

[@anishxxi]

Opening clip 🤣🤣 I'm dead

[@fullhdismorethanenough]

Best

[@andydreadsbmx]

Is the default motion blur considered amateur?

[@mashevee]

I'm not getting handles for the keyframe for the first tip, using AE 2020, any help guys?

[@workingdeadstudio7736]

Try clicking on the alt/option key while approaching the keyframe. Your cursor should look like an angle and from there, you can drag the handles from nowhere. You should also try easing your frames first using F9 shortcut or ctrl/cmd+shift+K to give them specific values. If it is still not working, sometimes AE is buggy about the handles for the position keyframes. One way to get around is by separating your dimensions (right-click on the position property > separate dimensions). I hope it helps!

[@marianaforero333]

The AE project file doesn't let me save any changes. Is that what's happening for everyone else?

[@itskamiar]

Do you get an error of some sort? Can you be more specific?

[@Hexspa]

Can adjustment layers mess with effects of layers below? I did an animation with warp and rotation but when I tried using an adjustment layer for global warp, it stopped my rotation. Instead, I had to apply the new warp effect to each individual layer; time consuming.

[@cvkeo]

you could have added the rotation keyframes to the adjustment layer instead

[@Hexspa]

@@cvkeo Thanks. I'll have to return to your comment because I forgot what I did in the project. Cheers.

[@ask-wj2pf]

👍🏻👍🏼

[@tahaboukemia1434]

thank you soooo much ... watching you from Algeria and I find your free tutorials really helpful ... cuz I can't afford the courses from here ... we don't have E-payment :'(

[@routezeroco979]

I’ve recently got back to using after effects and I tried doing the first tip with smoothing the key frames out, but when I go to the graph with that button and click the key frames, the handles to smooth them out don’t appear, I can’t figure out why. I did what u did and still not working.

[@RobFike]

Kyran Are all keyframes bezier? If you have any diamonds highlighted (linear) it may not work.

[@routezeroco979]

Rob Fike no I’ve used after effect for quite a while. I’ve put them to easy ease, ease in, out. Nothing works

[@cmdcreativity]

Make sure you’re in the Speed Graph editor mode. You may be in the value editor. Let me know if you’d like further help!

[@marianaforero333]

@@cmdcreativity I have not been able to figure this out either... :( If someone could help I'd be so grateful! Instead of an upside-down U shape, I see a S shape and no handles either

[@satyabanukil779]

Sign in window disappears when the side scroller is moved. So try to fox this first. Otherwise the download option is of no use.

[@arshadmuhd3739]

Sir, I have completed my multimedia degree in this march.I am intrested in motion graphics,What can i do next? internship in any small companies or any diploma course.Suggest any motion design institute in south India i thought you can give a proper reply, plz give your reply hope fully your fan boy

[@dineshbalaji_s]

Can any one help me finding what is the name of the effect at 0:25

[@wells346]

look up a camera tutorial

[@youtubereact_v1]

Speed Ramp

[@dominikfath6324]

alt + [ + ] doesnt work on my keyboard, i use a german one, and the programm is german too. how can i fix that? I only use Strg + Shift +D to cut and copy and that delete the one i dont need. would nice if you have the answer for that mysterious paradoxon or so. :P

[@harenthiran]

I think you should assign custom shortcuts. Most of the shortcuts not available by default expect English US. So I add small printed En US keyboard layout sticker every key on my french keyboard and use as it is by default.

[@yousawnothing644]

If you'd like, go to the Edit Menu > Keyboard Shortcuts towards the bottom of the menu. A screen with a keyboard should pop up, now just search "Trim Layer" and you should see the keyboard shortcut pop up and what it is bound to for your language.

[@daveb3989]

But that is a good tie...

[@Amandeepsingh1313]

How to COPY KEY FRAMES PLS TELL WINDOW COMMOND

[@michaelstadnikfilm]

Mark keyframes and then simply use ctrl c and ctrl v (on PC)

[@evm6177]

Neat tutorial lots of respect sir.. Still my rant to Adobe (as usual) what use is an entire library of the effects panel with no individual thumbnail preview like in oh i don't know perhaps powerpoint! seriously dude Adobe WTF...#?!

[@naveenmukkatt5031]

I feel like such a thing would cause a lot of computer problems.

[@amirdaryani]

The roughen edge doesn't work for me at all, I tested with 3 different projects!

[@valagoftari8298]

You have to add it on the text and it works

[@alexfvcruz]

4:32 na na na na it’s Batman

[@mikerotcherson]

Okay.

[@Thenineplaces]

Your logo is very similar to printfuls heh

[@Thenineplaces]

great video though

[@posebukse]

Is it compulsory for School of Motion-people to say «alright» all the time?

[@videoeditor89]

KZbin recommend me your video of 3 pro tips after 3 weeks with 33k views. 😄

[@Joenasr]

Award winning teacher?

[@schoolofmotion]

Yup! Nol received the Distinguished Teacher award in 2017 for his time as an Associate Professor of Motion Graphics at Parsons School of Design.

[@ebonykim3938]

love designs but why r u kiss us...ew..

[@uNknownrMx]

Too much time for talking, this video should have to be 3 minutes, each tip a minute.