Customer Reviews

Applying Adobe(R) After Effects Studio Techniques

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

As others have stated previously, many AE users consider Trish & Chris Meyer's "Creating Motion Graphics..." the best book in the AE field. I would have to argue that while the Meyer's book is a genuine tour d' force work -- this book is no slouch either. To compare the two: "Creating Motion Graphics..." is a very linear (start at the beginning and work to the end) learning experience that will give you an incredible understanding of AE. Rod Harlan's book was purposely designed to be a "nonlinear" experience. Just jump into whichever chapter addresses an issue you are interested in exploring and start there. In my opinion, each writing style is valid. I think that the Meyer's book excels with those who are very disciplined and have the time to go through a book methodically and purposefully -- in that, you'll get an education par excellance. But this book is for those situations where you don't have the time to go through the step-by-step process; it is for those (like most of the students we've trained) who just flat-out aren't that disciplined or else are just too busy and need to get at the answer *now!* It's also great when you are dealing with "know it all" trainees in your business -- which happens often with many of today's interns. Some here have complained that this book repeats itself; but that's because it's been designed on purpose to be a work into which you can dive into anywhere. The sidebar notes and tips do appear often. (But hey, how many times have you read a book and remembered the tricks from Chapter 2 when you're finishing Chapter 12?) But for me, I have learned more than a couple of tricks from this book and I've been using AE since 1994 and have taught more than a few classes in it.

The intro to this book tells you that this is NOT a book to read in your easy chair sipping a glass of your favorite wine. (Or to take it to the gym and read it while working out on the stairmaster, either.) This is a book for reading while at your computer dissecting the lessons -- oftentimes using the course as the basis for your own creative tweaks and turns (like in the post from the woman previous). Will this book teach you everything that's in "Creating Motion Graphics.."? Hardly. But it will teach you an awful lot in a short amount of time. I remember reading Frank Capria on the AE Listserv saying that he recommends this book to his students at the famed Rockport Workshops and (to quote him) "...none have complained."

It amazes me how some people in the reviews below seem to think that no one should be allowed to write an AE book other than "Creating Motion Graphics..." Like them, I have a lot of respect for CMG -- but I would also say that about this book. I think that CMG is absolutely the finest for giving an incredible AE education, especially to disciplined and methodical students. But Harlan's book is a high speed jump-start for both those whose situations don't give them the luxury of such a disciplined learning process -- or those whose attention span is lacking. Or in a production business where you need to experiemnt with a new technique and don't have time to read an entire book to find it or go through a 14 tape series like Brian Maffitt's Total AE.

This book simply was not designed to be like CGM or Total AE -- both great works in their own rite. But don't kid yourself; there's alot of meat in the pages of "Applying Adobe After Effects Studio Techniques."

After Effects 4 Studio Techniques by Roderick Harlan is a welcomed addition for those of us working in the broadcast and new media fields! I've been an AE users for several years and found Roderick's book to be a great learning tool.

Each chapter is its own project, complete and self contained. This is the first techniques book I've seen that guides you through the process without having to cross-index...a nice touch! There is nothing more annoying than having to search endlessly for techniques that have previously been explored.

I also found AE4 Studio Techniques helpful with all the screenshots that correspond with each step. With as many menus and options that the end user much learn, I found his use of screenshots a huge advantage over most "teaching" manuals. This step by step method alone makes Roderick's book a must have for all AE users...regardless of skill!!

AE4 Studio Techniques is a well constructed and well thought out book. The effective use of the projects and artwork files at a size of 320x240 pixels makes it usable on any hardware. Building projects is further made easy by the excellent content found on the included CD.

AE4 Studio Techniques by Roderick Harlan is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Man, I can't believe I bought this book. It is only for total beginners but it doesn't say that on the editorial. Not only does it lack anything but simple everyday techniques but it also uses tacky project examples (not that I insulted my self by trying any).

Just goes to show, you should always read the Amazon reviews.

Nicely organized and easy to use. Great CD-rom makes this the best effects book that I have seen.

This book is great for beginners since it is so easy to locate the techniques. In addition, more experienced users will find it useful as well.

The screenshots are great and the instruction is clearly defined. Other books on the market will lose you with long winded explanations and too much jargon.

I agree that the CD's are awesome (not just one, but TWO!) They have hundreds of dollars of fantastic content that make purchasing this book a no-brainer.

However, I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer that thinks this book is to basic. Why? Because the author took the time to grab a screenshot for every little step? I love that! I can't tell you how many Photoshop books I've bought that skip a few screenshots and then I'm completely lost.

I've been using AE since Spring of last year and I learned a ton of new shortcuts and a number of new techniques that I will immediately offer my clients. I think this book is a great investment.

This book has a large quantity of tutorials but no real quality. I was very disappointed when i got it. Not only are the tutorials very basic but also badly designed. When you look at the pictures and the example-movies of the final results it doesn't really make you want to even read how it was done (with a bit of experience with After Effects you'll already know it anyway).
A lot of the free goodies that were supposed to be on the second CD are missing.

Don't waste your money on this one. Instead I recommend the books "Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects" and "After Effects in production" by Chris and Trish Meyer as well as the "Classroom in a book"-books for version 4 and 5.

If you have no idea what After Effects is, maybe this is a good choice. If you are impressed with terrible, fake-looking graphics (eg - you are in the third grade), then this book is a good choice. I made the wrong choice.
Things that are nice about the book: it holds your hand and walks you screen to screen, mouse-click to mouse-click, through the tutorials. If you have NO IDEA what you are doing, this is great.
However, the project examples are so terrible, you have no desire to go through the step-by-step process to get to the lame end-results. Who wants fake red drops of "blood" falling from Halloween text? It takes 15 pages to get to something I could blue screen together in 6 seconds in Premiere to impress my dog, my friend's infant, and maybe some ants.
If you are looking to produce something marketable with After Effects, keep right on looking past this book. But, if you know nothing, nothing at all about After Effects and maybe even computers, this book is for you!

I was very disappointed with this book. First, what is promised on the 'goodies' cd is only delivered once you pay an additional fee to join the DV Professionals group. Specifically, the stock video. This book promises much more than it delivers. A better bet would be the Hands On Training or training from Lynda Weinman at Lynda . com whether you are a beginner or intermediate user.

For a beginner or part-time NLE hobbyist, I'd rate this as a 4 or even a 5. For someone who has been working with AE for awhile, it would probably be a 2 or a 1.

I'm more of a beginner, and the book included several projects that I'll be able to customize for use in our high school.

Another warning: there are 18 projects, but 8 of them require the EXPENSIVE production bundle. Anyone who needs the production bundle is going to be already more advanced than what this book covers.

As a video professional in a small market television station, this book is an invaluable resource. It helps me to produce top dollar effects at a small market budget.