which after effects version should you use?

Summary

This video script reviews the key updates to Adobe After Effects over recent years, focusing on features relevant to editors. It highlights improvements in speed, performance, and memory usage, with 2020 being the most stable version. Features like Roto Brush 2, multi-frame rendering, and speculative preview from later versions are discussed. The 2023 update introduces native support for H.264 rendering without needing Media Encoder, and 2024, while lacking major updates, is the latest version. The script recommends using 2020 for stability or 2024 for the newest features.

Takeaways

• 😀 Adobe After Effects 2020 is the most reliable version, offering stability and faster performance than the 2019 version.
• 😀 Performance improvements in After Effects 2020 include a 10-25% speed boost and a 70% reduction in memory usage.
• 😀 After Effects 2020 is compatible with almost every popular plugin available.
• 😀 After Effects 2021 introduces improvements to Roto Brush 2 and Content-Aware Fill, though no other major changes.
• 😀 After Effects 2022 adds multi-frame rendering for better performance, from previewing to exporting.
• 😀 The 2022 version also includes speculative preview, which allows rendering in the background while idle.
• 😀 After Effects 2022 (V22.3) adds native support for Apple Macs with M1 and M2 chips, improving performance on those devices.
• 😀 Most plugins still need to be run through Rosetta on M1/M2 Macs, so the difference is minor if you rely on plugins.
• 😀 The 2023 version's major update is the return of native H.264 support, meaning you no longer need Media Encoder for MP4 rendering.
• 😀 After Effects 2024 is the latest version, but it doesn't introduce many noteworthy new features.
• 😀 For stability and compatibility with most plugins, After Effects 2020 is a safe choice, while 2024 is the latest but may have fewer new features.

Q & A

What version of After Effects is considered the most reliable for editors?

The most reliable version of After Effects is 2020, as it is known for being stable and crashing less often than other versions.

What performance improvements were made in After Effects 2020?

After Effects 2020 shows a performance increase of 10% to 25%, while memory usage has decreased by almost 70%.

Is there any notable improvement to plugins in After Effects 2020?

Yes, most popular plugins are available for After Effects 2020, ensuring compatibility with many tools editors use.

What new features were introduced in After Effects 2021?

After Effects 2021 introduced improvements to Roto Brush 2 and content-aware fill, but there aren't many other significant updates.

What does After Effects 2022 bring to the table in terms of performance?

After Effects 2022 introduced multi-frame rendering, offering performance gains from preview to export. It also includes speculative preview, which renders compositions while you're idle, improving efficiency.

How does speculative preview work in After Effects 2022?

Speculative preview in After Effects 2022 continues to render your composition in the background while you're idle, automatically improving performance.

What is the significance of native Apple Mac support in After Effects 2022?

After Effects 2022 offers native support for Apple Macs with M1 and M2 chips, making the software run faster on those machines. However, most plugins still need to be run through Rosetta.

Is it worth upgrading to After Effects 2022 for M1/M2 Mac users?

If you use a Mac with M1 or M2 chips, After Effects 2022 will provide a faster experience. However, if you rely on plugins, the performance improvement may not be significant due to the need for Rosetta.

What is the biggest feature of After Effects 2023?

The most notable feature in After Effects 2023 is the return of native H.264 support, which allows users to render MP4 files directly without needing to use Media Encoder for conversion.

What is the general state of new features in After Effects 2024?

After Effects 2024, at its release in February 2024, doesn't introduce many major new features that are specifically worth mentioning for editors.

Which version of After Effects should an editor choose in 2024?

Editors should either choose After Effects 2020 for its stability and compatibility with most plugins or opt for After Effects 2024, which is the latest release, but may lack significant new features.