{"id":27801,"date":"2013-09-09T11:02:58","date_gmt":"2013-09-09T15:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=27801"},"modified":"2015-04-28T14:25:32","modified_gmt":"2015-04-28T19:25:32","slug":"10-more-time-saving-tips-in-after-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/10-more-time-saving-tips-in-after-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"10 More Time Saving Tips in After Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking to optimize your After Effects skills? \u00a0Here are 10 more After Effects tips that will save you time and let you work more efficiently!<\/h2>\n

Our previous post on\u00a010 Time Saving Tips in After Effects<\/a> was quite popular, so I’ve rounded up 10 more tips for editors learning After Effects.<\/p>\n

1. Bringing Video Editing Projects into AE<\/h2>\n

If you’re using an Adobe based post production workflow<\/strong>, Premiere Pro & After Effects connect easily via Dynamic Link<\/a><\/strong> and Import<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(links to previous blog posts on this feature). Now, let’s take a look how to get your projects from other video editing apps into After Effects:<\/p>\n

Media Composer to After Effects:<\/strong>\u00a0Export Sequence as AAF, then import in AE using Pro Import Pro (previously Automatic Duck<\/a>).\u00a0Kevin P. McAuliffe has a video tutorial on the process here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Final Cut Pro 7 to After Effects:<\/strong>\u00a0Export as XML and import via\u00a0Pro Import in After Effects.<\/p>\n

\"Pro<\/p>\n

Final Cut Pro X to After Effects<\/strong>: There are 2 choices (free and paid). Clip Exporter is a free app you can get here<\/a>Xto7 for Final Cut Pro<\/a>is $49.99 and developed by Assisted Editing, which make a variety of editing helper apps.<\/p>\n

2. Get Organized for Free – Post Haste<\/h2>\n

Post Haste<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is a free app that\u00a0that allows you to setup file and folder templates for your projects. It offers a variety of templates (motion graphics, video editing, visual effects) that you can customize. Let the computer do the tedious work like organization, so you can spend your time making cool stuff.<\/p>\n

\"Post<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Sync Your Settings (for After Effects CC)<\/h2>\n

The new Adobe After Effects CC has a feature that allows you to sync your preferences, shortcuts and more across multiple computers. \u00a0You simply ‘login’ to your account through AE and your preferences will populate. This is huge for freelancers and those who often work in different edit suites at large companies.<\/p>\n

See the Adobe AE Blog<\/a> for the complete list and what doesn’t sync (feature that are machine-specific).<\/p>\n

\"Sync<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Automate to Sequence<\/h2>\n

This is a quick trick to put clips in order and add a dissolve between each one (also works in Premiere Pro<\/a>). Ideal for quickly creating a highlights reel or photo slideshow.\u00a0You can apply ‘Automate to Sequence<\/strong>‘ to clips in the project or those already in a composition.<\/p>\n

From the Project<\/strong>: Select the clips you want, then File > New Comp from Selection ( or right click and select “New Comp from Selection”). Click “Single Composition”, “Sequence Layers” and “Overlap” if you want a dissolve.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

From a Composition<\/strong>:\u00a0With the layers stacked on top of each layer, select all, right click and choose “Keyframe Assistant > Sequence Layers”.<\/p>\n

\"Sequence<\/p>\n

5. Move Your Anchor Point Without Moving the Layer<\/h2>\n

An anchor point determines where a layer scales and rotates from. If you change anchor point under Transform you will move the layer. To change the anchor point without moving the layer, use the Pan Behind tool (shortcut is\u00a0Y<\/strong>). Click on the anchor point and move it to the desired location, then press V<\/strong> to switch back to the Selection tool.<\/p>\n

To make life easier, move you anchor point with the pan behind tool<\/strong> before<\/em> you animate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

6. After Effects Work Area<\/h2>\n

The Work Area is the part of the Composition that is previewed when you do a Ram Preview<\/a>\u00a0(shortcut is\u00a0zero<\/strong> on the number pad).<\/p>\n