Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Section I. Working Foundations

Chapter 1. Composite in After Effects

Organization

Take Control of Settings

View Panels and Previews

Effects: Plug-ins and Animation Presets

Output and the Render Queue

Assemble the Shot

Chapter 2. The Timeline

Organization

Keyframes and the Graph Editor

Timeline Panel Shortcuts

Spatial Offsets

Motion Blur

Timing and Retiming

So Why the Bouncing Ball Again?

Chapter 3. Selections: The Key to Compositing

Methods to Combine Layers

Optics and Edges

Transparency: Alpha Channels and Edge Multiplication

Mask Modes

Combine Selections

Animated Masks

Composite With or Without Selections: Blending Modes

Track Mattes

Right Tool for the Job

Chapter 4. Optimize Projects

Nested Comps, Multiple Projects

Adjustment and Guide Layers

Faster! Control the Render Pipeline

Optimize a Project

Conclusion

Section II. Effects Compositing Essentials

Chapter 5. Color Correction

Color Correction for Image Optimization

Levels: Histograms and Channels

Curves: Gamma and Contrast

Hue/Saturation: Color and Intensity

Color Look Development

Color Matching

Conclusion

Chapter 6. Color Keying

Procedural Mattes

Linear Keyers and Hi-Con Mattes

Color Keying: Greenscreen, Bluescreen

Keylight for Color Keying

Fine Tuning and Problem Solving

Shoot for the Perfect Matte

Conclusion

Chapter 7. Rotoscoping and Paint

Roto Brush

Refined Mattes

Deformation

Alternatives

Chapter 8. Effective Motion Tracking

Point Tracker

Track a Scene

Smooth a Camera Move

Planar Tracker: mocha-AE

Track Roto/Paint

3D Tracking

Chapter 9. The Camera and Optics

Cameras: Virtual and Real

3D

Camera and Story

Depth of Focus

Grain

Lens Optics & Looks

Conclusion

Chapter 10. Expressions

What Expressions Are

Creating Expressions

The Language of Expressions

Linking an Effect Parameter to a Property

Using a Layer’s Index

Looping Keyframes

Using Markers

Time Remapping Expressions

Layer Space Transforms

Color Sampling and Conversion

Extra Credit

Conclusion

Chapter 11. Advanced Color Options and HDR

Dynamic Range: Bit Depth and Film

Color Realism: Linear HDRI

Color Fidelity: Management, Depth, LUTs

Conclusion

Section III. Creative Explorations

Chapter 12. Light

Source and Direction

Color Looks

Source, Reflection, and Shadow

Multipass 3D Compositing

Chapter 13. Climate and the Environment

Particulate Matter

Sky Replacement

Fog, Smoke, and Mist

Billowing Smoke

Wind and Ambience

Precipitation

Chapter 14. Pyrotechnics: Heat, Fire, Explosions

Firearms

Energy Effects

Heat Distortion

Fire

Explosions

In a Blaze of Glory

Index

Appendix Scripting

JavaScript Guide

Links to Scripts Referenced in the Book