02. Effects | Video Copilot | Basic Training

Summary

In this After Effects basic training video, the instructor demonstrates how to use various effects to manipulate footage. The video covers key features such as adding blur effects, adjusting brightness and contrast with curves, applying color correction with filters like Hue and Saturation, and using the glow effect for creative touches. The tutorial also shows how to access effects via the Effects and Presets panel and adjust them based on layer selections. It introduces the concept of animating effects with keyframes, offering viewers a comprehensive look at foundational After Effects skills for enhancing video projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Resetting the workspace can help set up a fresh starting point by using the 'Reset Standard' option.
• 😀 To create a new composition, simply drag footage to the 'Make New Comp' button, automatically matching the composition settings to the footage.
• 😀 Applying the 'Fast Blur' effect allows you to blur the footage, and the 'Repeat Edge Pixels' option prevents dark edges from appearing.
• 😀 The 'Effects Controls' panel is essential for adjusting and fine-tuning applied effects; toggle it with F3.
• 😀 The order of effects in the stack matters, as later effects will be applied after earlier ones.
• 😀 The 'Effects and Presets' palette lets you quickly find and apply various effects like 'Glow' by dragging them onto the footage.
• 😀 Glow effects can be customized by adjusting parameters like 'Glow Threshold' to control which pixels emit the glow.
• 😀 You can easily delete effects or duplicate them for experimentation, making it simpler to test and refine different looks.
• 😀 The 'Generate' effects category allows you to create elements from scratch, such as ramps (gradients) or lens flares.
• 😀 Color correction effects, like 'Hue and Saturation' and 'Change to Color,' allow you to alter the colors in your footage for various looks.
• 😀 Animating effects, like blurring or color changes, is possible by keyframing their parameters, allowing for dynamic changes over time.

Q & A

What does the 'reset standard' option in After Effects do?

The 'reset standard' option resets the project workspace to its default layout, ensuring a clean slate before starting a new task.

How does After Effects automatically create a new composition from a piece of footage?

After dragging footage to the 'make new comp' button, After Effects automatically creates a composition with the same settings as the footage, including size, frame rate, and duration.

What is the function of the 'Fast Blur' effect in After Effects?

The 'Fast Blur' effect blurs the footage, and the 'Repeat Edge Pixels' option helps prevent dark edges around the blurred areas.

What does the 'F3' key do in After Effects?

'F3' toggles the Effects Control panel on and off, allowing for easier management and adjustment of applied effects.

How does the order of effects affect the final result in After Effects?

The order of effects matters because each effect is applied in sequence. For example, applying a blur effect after a curves adjustment will show the blurred result after the changes in brightness and contrast have been made.

How can users quickly add effects to footage in After Effects?

Users can quickly find and apply effects by using the 'Effects and Presets' panel, where they can search for specific effects, like 'Glow', and drag them directly onto the footage or timeline.

What does the 'Glow' effect do in After Effects?

The 'Glow' effect adds a glowing effect to the brightest pixels in the footage. The threshold can be adjusted to control which pixels glow.

How can users remove or duplicate effects in After Effects?

Users can remove effects by selecting them and pressing 'Delete', or they can duplicate effects by selecting them and choosing 'Edit > Duplicate'. This is useful for experimenting with different variations of the effect.

What is the purpose of the 'Generate' category in After Effects?

The 'Generate' category contains effects that create elements like gradients or lens flares, useful for generating content within After Effects without relying on external footage.

How can the 'Hue and Saturation' effect be used in After Effects?

The 'Hue and Saturation' effect is used for colorizing footage. By enabling the 'Colorize' option, users can change the overall tint of the footage, and adjust the hue and saturation to achieve desired color effects.

What is the 'Change to Color' effect used for in After Effects?

The 'Change to Color' effect allows users to select a specific color in the footage and change it to another color, with additional options to fine-tune the selection using tolerance and range settings.