After effects workshop 3

Key Frame interpolation and using illustrator paths

Interpolate to insert between two fixed point.

How After Effects decides how the layer will move between two fixed points.

Default position

A Bezier Curve (as above)like an illustrator path.

Each anchor point has handles to change the curve.

Using the pen tool from the tools pallet - add a vertex (anchor pint, corner pint)

Convert vertex - Can change the interpolation from a smooth curve to a corner point.

Spatial interpolation - Space it occupies
Temperal interpolation - Timeline

select keyframes (by clicking on it)
- Animation menu
-Keyframe interpolation
Can change what happens before and after the selected keyframes 
-Spatial -linear (Converts to a corner rather than curve)
- Temporal- Does not a noticable difference

Further options

To add keyframes or change time  -click and drag layer or click diamond on layer menu

Select all key frames

-Animation menu

-Keyframe interpolation

Temporal interpolation - Linear, bezier, Cont Bezier and 'Hold'

Hold keyframes

No Change between key frames

Changes path from dots (no of frames) between anchor points to no dots.  the Key frames in time line change from a diamond to a backward arrow shape.

The effect is it just jumps from keyframe to keyframe or point to point as no longer moving along a 'path'.  Could use to animate a secondhand on a clock for example or to make something blink or flash

Example is Blink.ai

Import as footage

Using opacity to create blink

from 0% to 100 % on each keyframe

Then use the 'hold' option on keyframe interpolation.

Normal Interpolation keyframes

To make everything quicker select all keyframes

Hold alt key and mover frames back along time line

smooth changes between keyframes

Can manually move keyframes yo space equally along time line 

or

Select all keyframes except for first and last

keyframe interpolation

Roving: (Default is locked to moment when specify property)

* Rove across time (The keyframes change from diamond to circle shapes) and give a smoother change.

Only available for spatial properties ie not Opacity.

Illustrator

Can use Illustrator artwork to create motion paths

Create an Illustrator doc

Create a vector shape

Cope into AE (apple C)

Press P

Click on stopwatch

Edit and paste

This creates a motion path (Ie so can ove in a perfect circle) - A Roving path

The default option is to keep the shape orientation the same
LAYER
Transform
Auto- orientate

Change to orient along a path


Masks


Layer mask - transparency/opaque clipping masks - Illustrator


A layer is usually opaque
Select layer
Click on shape tool
Drag into composition
Created a vector shape (determines which area is opaque and which is transparent)

Four masks properties

Mask path

Mask feather

Mask opacity

Mask expansion

Use the selection tool (Arrow) can manipulate

- If select bounding box (double click the edge) can scale shape or move the shape

- Stop watch - can specify animation for each property

Select layer

Select pentool - create a shape

Can create a 'wipe'

Eg reveal.ai

Import Illustrator file

- CReate a mask by creating a shape ove rthe word

-Cleick on mask path and create keyframes - First keyframe dispappears

the last keyframe us the full mask shape

Can use Illustrator paths as masks

Open Illustrator file 'Melt'

Not text - it is outlines

Copy the characters into AE

Mask path

New solid layer the size of comp

Select layer

Copy text

Each shape will be a mask

Can animate mask shape

Short cut for mask paths

'M' mask path property

Enable keyframe by clicking on O 

Example
DOT.psd
A matte (Photoshop clipping group)
Use one layer to specify which part of another layer can see
The top layer will specify - the 'Matt is on top
- Toggle sitches mode
- Mode, trk Matte, parent
TRK Matte
Dots layer - Drop down layer
Choose the type of matte
Select 'alpha matte
Can invert also

Clouds

With a photoshop layer larger than your composition

Your composition can animate

Use Trk Matte function 'Alpha'