After Effects Apprentice 04: Layer Control

In this installment of After Effects Apprentice, Chris Meyer focuses on ways to edit and enhance layers in After Effects. Through a series of Quizzler challenges and Idea Corner examples, Chris shares alternative ways to employ modes, sequencing, and adjustment layers, while special sidebar movies cover the subjects of creating seamless loops, animating effects points, understanding pixel aspect ratios, and employing Brainstorm to explore the variety of different looks that effects can create. The course also covers tricks for enhancing boring footage and tips for converting scans into moving sequences. Exercise files are included with the course.

Topics include:
Sliding and trimming
Slip-editing and insert-editing layers
Employing blending modes to enhance layers and composites
Applying, modifying, and saving animation presets and layer styles
Using adjustment layers to affect multiple layers
Experimenting with effects using Brainstorm
Understanding pixel aspect ratios

0. Introduction
Overview 01:08
1. Editing Layers in Time
Stacking and sliding layers 05:15
Trimming layers in the Timeline panel 05:37
Trimming in the Layer panel 03:22
Pre-trimming and inserting layers from the Footage panel 03:11
Slip-editing 05:12
2. Sequencing Layers
Applying sequence layers to footage 04:36
Using sequence layers with objects 02:05
Example: Sequence layers and photographs 02:11
Creating a new composition using sequence layers 01:26
The importance of layer order 01:11
3. Looping, Stretching, and Frame Blending
Looping footage 03:06
Importing a sequence of still images 04:21
Time-stretching vs. altering frame rates 03:14
Frame blending 06:03
4. Blending Modes
Blending mode overview 06:57
Combining modes and effects 04:36
Why apply effects to solids? 07:02
5. Effects and Presets
Using the Effects & Presets panel 04:54
Applying presets 05:25
Behaviors 02:52
Creating and saving presets 08:14
6. Layer Styles
Importing Photoshop files with layer styles 03:58
Applying layer styles inside After Effects 03:39
7. Adjustment Layers
Using adjustment layers 03:08
Adjustment layers and alpha channels 03:05
Filmic glow treatment 02:47
8. Quizzlers
Quizzler challenges 01:08
Quizzler solution 1: Pyrotechnic composite 02:59
Quizzler solution 2: Sequenced fades 02:19
9. Idea Corner
Idea Corner 1: Adjustment layer shapes 01:47
Idea Corner 2: Creating a traveling glass bar 04:03
Idea Corner 3: Creating sequences from filmstrips 05:35
10. Sidebars
Looping footage by crossfading 05:10
Effect point paths 05:03
Brainstorm 07:10
Pixel aspect ratios 09:24