Adobe After Effects

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adobe After Effects

logo
Basic data

developer Adobe
Publishing year January 1993
Current  version CC 2020
version 17.0.6
( April 14, 2020 )
operating system Windows , macOS
programming language C ++
category Motion design , visual effect , animation , 3D text animation
License Proprietary
German speaking Yes
www.adobe.com/aftereffects

Adobe After Effects is a compositing - and animation software from the manufacturer Adobe Inc. With it, filming can with computer-generated images and effects together. The program is very much in its surface and the features of Adobe Photoshop ajar, but provides a timeline and the ability to virtually any parameters by keyframes ( keyframes to animate).

Scope of services

With After Effects, for example, motion design clips (intros for TV programs, typo animations, bumpers, etc.) or visual effects for film and television can be created and / or completed. In particular, the combination with 3D programs such as 3D Studio Max , Maya or Cinema 4D makes it possible to post-process film recordings in After Effects and combine them with other (real or computer-generated) recordings. From version 9 you also have the option of importing 3D objects from Photoshop and editing them directly in After Effects.

The main tasks of the program are moving (animating) clips in a two- or three-dimensional space and manipulating videos with masks or effects. The viewer can fly through a three-dimensional space with the help of a virtual camera and program artificial light sources for it. The aim of the program is to produce short, effects-heavy videos, e.g. B. trailers or opening credits for television or commercials.

The existing functions can be expanded using plugins, which can include new effects or particle systems, for example.

Versions

Up to version 7, After Effects was delivered in two different versions (Standard and Professional) and is one of the main components of the new Adobe Creative Suite Production Studio alongside Premiere Pro , Audition and EncoreDVD . As of version 7, however, this double edition has been dispensed with, so that today you can only purchase the professional version. Compared to the standard version, the professional version also offered important features for compositing such as the keying plug-in Keylight , advanced matte tools, import of RPF / RLA data from 3D programs, grain removal, a tracker / image stabilizer and the plug-in 3D Invigorator for the creation of 3D texts and objects, which is no longer included in version 7 and higher.

Until 2003 the program in the professional version cost up to 3,000 euros, in the meantime Adobe has lowered the prices somewhat. For students there is a discounted education license of the professional version, which can still be used after graduation and is also entitled to updates.

Areas of application

The target group of the program are full-time video editors and effects specialists. Thanks to the now very comprehensive integrated 16- and 32-bit color support (per channel), After Effects is also suitable for post-processing of scanned celluloid recordings (e.g. in the Kodak Cineon format), which after processing have a high contrast range "real" film should be exposed. Alternatives to After Effects include: a. Discreet / Autodesk Combustion, Digital Fusion, Apple Shake / Motion, Nuke , as well as the "large" compositing systems from discreet and Avid , which, in contrast to After Effects, are mostly based on a "node" -based workflow with schematic views instead of timelines / Set compositions. The current version is After Effects CC. This version requires a 64-bit operating system and, in contrast to the previous versions, is only available in a subscription model.

New in version CS6 (11)

New in version 9

  • Import and edit 3D layers from Adobe Photoshop (now removed again)
  • Searchable timelines and projects, and easier navigation between nested compositions
  • Separate keyframe settings for the X, Y and Z axes and advanced 3D compositing
  • Export of compositions as a project with layers
  • Cartoon effect
  • Integrated authoring for mobile devices
  • Mocha from Imagineer Systems for Adobe After Effects
  • Numerous interface and workflow improvements
  • XMP metadata for smart objects

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Fixed issues in After Effects versions 17.x and 16.1x. March 2020, accessed April 21, 2020 . Security Updates Available for Adobe After Effects, APSB20-21. April 14, 2020, accessed May 1, 2020 .
  2. ↑ http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/faq/