Product Description

New to the 2nd edition:
* All instructions, screen shots, Guided Tour video training movies, and project files updated for After Effects CS4. CS3 and CS4 features have been integrated throughout, including the pervasive use of Shape layers, Layer Styles, and Brainstorm
* More integration with other Adobe applications, including using After Effects with Illustrator, Photoshop (including new Vanishing Point and 3d Layer exercises) and Flash CS4
* Redesigned first and last lessons, including an all-new final project that walks through the creation of a widescreen broadcast TV promo
* Free bonus chapters on the DVD from other books on Photoshop, Cinema 4D, Flash, and broadcast design
* Coupon for 15% off stock footage from Artbeats on DVD

If you're new to After Effects and want to get up to speed quickly, After Effects Apprentice was created just for you. With 11 core lessons plus a hip final project that pulls it all together, you'll learn how to tap this program's vast potential -whether you want to create motion graphics for network television, corporate communications, or your own work.

Fully updated to cover After Effects CS4, this book presents a professional perspective on the most important features a motion graphics artist needs to learn in order to use this program effectively. You'll learn to creatively combine layers, animate eye-catching titles, manipulate 3D space, key and stabilize a shot to place it in a new environment, and use effects to generate excitement or enhance the realism of a scene.

DVD contains: All exercise source material and projects, guided video tours, and movies of the finished projects.

Topics include how to:
. Animate, edit, layer, and composite video and still images.
. Manipulate keyframes and the way they interpolate to create more refined animations.
. Use masks, mattes, stencils and blending modes to add sophistication to your imagery.
. Create and animate shape layers and text.
. Place your layers in 3D space.
. Use tracking and keying to create special effects, such as replacing screen displays.

DVD contains: All exercise source material and projects, an hour and a
half of video guided tours, plus bonus chapters from other books.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44393 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780240811369
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
'After Effects Apprentice' provides a strong foundation for the aspiring motion graphics designer or visual effects artist. It is an excellent resource to help users get up to speed in After Effects quickly and to maximize their creative expression.
Steve Kilisky, senior product manager, Adobe After Effects.

The Meyers have once again shown their eloquence and expert knowledge of After Effects. It is my opinion that After Effects Apprentice will be the primer for all those who are learning After Effects in production work.
R.Christopher Biggs, special digital effects animator, Walt Disney Imagineering

I literally learned After Effects from Trish Meyer two weeks before starting work on "Star Wars: Episode 1". I wouldn't have survived without her training. I consider Trish and Chris Meyer my source for After Effects insights. Beyond their knowledge of the application... their commitment to quality, and more importantly clarity, makes all of their books a "Must-have." "After Effects Apprentice" is a great way to get started in After Effects...possibly the best way.
Alex Lindsay, chief architect Pixel Corp

Chris and Trish Meyer's clear and concise instructions make motion graphics accessible to everyone.
Louise Ping, senior product marketing manager, Adobe After Effects

This book provides a "missing link" for those who need to master essential After Effects techniques but also want to improve their overall grasp of broad motion graphics and VFX principles and methods.
Dave Hurley, Instructor, San Francisco State University MSP

The lessons are structured very well, the writing is easy to understand, and each step builds on the previous one. I will defiantly use this book in my Motion Graphics class at MiraCosta College. Thanks for making my job much easier!!
Dan Wagner, Instructor - Motion Graphics, MiraCosta College

From the Back Cover

If you're new to After Effects and want to get up to speed quickly, After Effects Apprentice was created just for you. With 11 core lessons
plus a hip final project that pulls it all together, you'll learn how to tap this program's vast potential -whether you want to create motion graphics for network television, corporate communications, or your own work.

Fully updated to cover After Effects CS4, this book presents a professional perspective on the most important features a motion graphics artist needs to learn in order to use this program effectively. You'll learn to creatively combine layers, animate eye-catching titles,
manipulate 3D space, key and stabilize a shot to place it in a new environment, and use effects to generate excitement or enhance the
realism of a scene.

Easy to follow step-by-step instructions take you through each technique, including projects that encourage you to express your own creativity. You'll learn more than just the tools; you'll learn skills that you can immediately put to work in your own productions.

New to the 2nd edition:
* All instructions, screen shots, Guided Tour video training movies, and project files updated for After Effects CS4. CS3 and CS4 features have been integrated throughout, including the pervasive use of Shape layers, Layer Styles, and Brainstorm
* More integration with other Adobe applications, including using After Effects with Illustrator, Photoshop (including new Vanishing Point and 3d Layer exercises) and Flash CS4
* Redesigned first and last lessons, including an all-new final project that walks through the creation of a widescreen broadcast TV promo
* Free bonus chapters on the DVD from other books on Photoshop, Cinema 4D, Flash, and broadcast design
* Coupon for 15% off stock footage from Artbeats on DVD

About the Author
as partners in the award-winning motion graphics studio Cybermotion (Los Angeles)Trish and Chris have created imagery for NBC, ABC, HBO, Fox, TLC, New Line, and Paramount, plus corporations ranging from Apple to Xerox. Their first book - Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects - is considered the bible in its field.

Customer Reviews

A GREAT BOOK!
I have bought over 32 books in the last year on various subjects related to After Effects and other video software tools. Out of these only 2-3 really stand out, and this book is one of them.
It covers quite a bit and it layed out quite well and easy to read. I was so impressed with it, I came back and bought the PDF version for the road. If you are looking for a good book on After Effects, do not pass this one up.

Great Book if you want good information mixed w/ solid tutorials
I am enrolled at a local community college and the teacher is using this book. I would highly recommend if you are (like me) new to after effects. It does a great job of providing you with side notes about the application and how to use it effectively. If you do the additional items at the end of each chapter you will really have a good grip on this program. A+

Not just for apprentices
As advertised, this book is a great introduction to motion graphics design and After Effects. The Meyers are both great artists and great teachers. They really understand how to present both the theory and the practice of building compelling motion graphics.

I'll be using this book for my intro video post production class in the fall, but the name is a little misleading. After Effects users who consider themselves proficient, but aren't familiar with all the ins and outs of the application can benefit from the book as well. I've been using After Effects professionally since version 3, and I've learned a lot from this book.