Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects: Essential and Advanced Techniques, 5th Edition, Version CS5 [Paperback]

Chris Meyer (Author), Trish Meyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0240814150 | ISBN-13: 978-0240814155 | Edition: 5

* 5th Edition of best-selling After Effects book by renowned authors Trish and Chris Meyer covers the important updates in After Effects CS4 and CS5
* Covers both essential and advanced techniques, from basic layer manipulation and animation through keying, motion tracking, and color management
* Companion DVD is packed with project files (for CS5), source materials, and nearly 200 pages of bonus chapters

Trish and Chris Meyer share over 17 years of hard-earned, real-world film and video production experience inside this critically acclaimed text. More than a step-by-step review of the features in AE, readers will learn how the program thinks so that they can realize their own visions more quickly and efficiently. This full-color book is packed with tips, gotchas, and sage advice that will help users thrive no matter what projects they might encounter.

Creating Motion Graphics 5th Edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect the new features introduced in both After Effects CS4 and CS5. New chapters cover the revolutionary new Roto Brush feature, as well as mocha and mocha shape. The 3D section has been expanded to include working with 3D effects such as Digieffects FreeForm plus workflows including Adobe Repoussé, Vanishing Point Exchange, and 3D model import using Adobe Photoshop Extended. The print version is also accompanied by a DVD that contains project files (for CS5) and source materials for all the techniques demonstrated in the book, as well as nearly 200 pages of bonus chapters on subjects such as expressions, scripting, and effects.

Subjects include: Animation Techniques; Layer Management; Modes, Masks, and Mattes; Mastering 3D Space; Text Animation; Effects & Presets; Painting and Rotoscoping; Parenting, Nesting, and Collapsing; Color Management and Video Essentials; Motion Tracking and Keying; Working with Audio; Integrating with 3D Applications; Puppet Tools; Expressions; Exporting and Rendering; and much more.
 
* Customers please note that files on the DVD that accompany the print version of this book are NOT available when you buy the Kindle or other electronic versions of the book. Also, the 5th Edition is for CS5; all project files provided are for CS5 only.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Meyer's Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects excerpted on ProSoundWeb

From the Author

Creating Motion Graphics 5th Edition for CS5 is a comprehensive reference guide to all the features in Adobe After Effects CS5. Project files on the DVD are for CS5 only.

If you are using CS4, then check out the previous version, 4th Edition for CS3, and then download the free PDF from our website to upgrade it to CS4: crishdesign.com/books/Creating-Motion-Graphics/index.html)

If you are new to After Effects, you might prefer to start with our other book, After Effects Apprentice, which is designed as a step-by-step workbook (12 Lessons) to get you up to speed quickly on all the core techniques and major features. The 2nd Edition is for CS4, but if you are using CS5, there's a PDF on our website that points out the very minor differences you'll encounter: crishdesign.com/books/After-Effects-Apprentice/index.html

Any questions about which version is best for you, please email us via our website.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 5 edition (June 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240814150
• ISBN-13: 978-0240814155
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Computers & Technology > Digital Media Management > Photo Editing > After Effects
  • #11 in Books > Computers & Technology > Digital Media Management > Video Production
  • #22 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Direction & Production

More About the Author

Trish & Chris Meyer are the founders of Crish Design (formerly known as CyberMotion), an award-winning motion graphic design studio that has recently relocated from Los Angeles to the Albuquerque area. Their design and animation work has appeared on shows and promos for CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, HBO, PBS, and TLC; in opening titles for several movies including Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr. Ripley; at trade shows and press events for corporate clients ranging from Apple to Xerox; and in special venues encompassing IMAX, CircleVision, the NBC AstroVision sign in Times Square, and the four-block-long Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas.

In addition to their motion graphics work, Trish and Chris were among the original users of After Effects, and have written numerous books including "Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects" and "After Effects Apprentice" (both published by Focal Press). They speak regularly at conferences around the country, and perform custom training for studios.

Both Chris and Trish have backgrounds as musicians, which informs their motion graphics work. They are also currently fascinated with exploring fine art and mixed media in addition to their commercial design work. They have recently relocated from Los Angeles to the mountains near Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Advantage Over Video Tutorials January 15, 2011

By L. Young

Format:Paperback

I am a Video Editor and After Effects Artist, but while I did study After Effects in college, I never used it in my career until recently. At my job, I was given tasks that required minimal After Effects knowledge. However, recently, I have been put to the task of more complicated work. Each time, I have been able to find a tutorial and seek help on forum boards or from co-workers. However, I really am tired of that. When I am given an advanced project, I am stressed, seeking an answer sometimes through the night or weekend. I am embarrassed to have to ask co-workers, and sometimes a tutorial does not address an issue that's tripping me up. So I seriously considered giving up on After Effects, but almost everyone wants an editor who knows After Effects now.

In college, this book was our textbook. Now as a working professional, I have purchased it again for myself. But now, there are a ton of After Effects VIDEO tutorials. I have gone through the Essentials training on Lynda.com and Total Training. Those are as close to a textbook as you will find, but they are fundamental. For cool stuff, I love Video Copilot, AE Tuts and others. But what I have found is that those tutorials to do 'cool' things are simply 'watch what I can do' videos by the artists.

This book is so detailed that I understand why it was a textbook in college. You really LEARN After Effects. I am now at a place where I am not going to watch some tutorial, make some eye candy motion graphic and toss it on my reel as if I am at a level I'm not at. I now want to really learn the ins and outs of this app, and this book will do that.

I advise those who are anxious to jump on YouTube and follow someone's advanced video tutorial, then claim to know After Effects to sloooow down.... If you are actually serious about learning it, get serious and read this book thoroughly. Read the boring stuff, because it's those basics that will help you troubleshoot. Most video tutorials do not address many issues that you'll need to troubleshoot unless the instructor experiences that problem while he's recording.

In 2010, I thought that this book was too thick, and I didn't have time for it. A year later, I realize I could have finished this book by now. So in 2011, I am starting again from the top. If I come up on advanced tasks along the way, I will skip ahead for that task, but return to where I left off later because now I am serious about really, really learning After Effects. And this is THE book to learn from. It takes a while to read vs. watch, but just do it. In the time you would read a novel or watch TV, read this book instead and enhance your knowledge. Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything there is to know about AE December 15, 2010

By ut158 TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I'm new to AE. As anyone who has tried to use AE (or just about any Adobe product) knows, there are way too many features for anyone to be able to just sit down and figure the program out on your own which is what I had been doing before I came across this book. I totally agree with the authors' remarks in the introduction that they have "crammed in numerous Tips, Gotchas, and Factoids... as well as [warnings] about situations where [a given feature] will not work". The book has over 700 pages and I still think "crammed" is a good word. I have yet to find a page that could have been left out due to lack of interesting content.

As a new user, I really appreciate the sample projects that are included because I, like most people, learn best by DOING. For the same reason, I appreciate the wealth of screen shots. For newbies like myself, it is important to read the book from beginning to end and not skip around because many of the chapters assume you have already read the previous material and do not re-explain things (and that's a good thing, really). As I've already mentioned, it's a very large book, so I have quite a bit to go, but my understanding of AE grows deeper by the page. Thank you to the Meyers for helping me use this program. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more reading to do...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book. Loads of material. July 6, 2010

By Daniel Broadway

Format:Paperback

This is without a doubt the best motion graphics book there is. This takes you though the many different tools of After Effects and shows examples on how to use them. It's pricey, but worth it. A very through guide to say the least. It also comes packed with a DVD of extras which are great, and not just fluff. Highly recommended.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The bible for After Effects September 17, 2010

By AnarchyJim VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

If you're trying to learn AE or you're a pro and need a great reference, this book is pretty much it. The new edition covers CS5, but still contains all the great information that has made it any AE jockeys bible. The new edition is clear as always, easy to understand, and loaded with great tips and tricks.

Even as someone who's used AE for 14 years, I still find myself browsing this book remembering forgotten keyboard shortcuts, features, and occasionally having things explained that I thought I knew. It's an excellent resource.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An exhaustive book with tons of walkthroughs December 22, 2010

By Douglas Figueredo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I had an earlier version of this book for a previous version of After Effects, so I knew I wanted to get this book now that I have upgraded to CS5. I learned so much from the first book and I'm glad to see this book is even better. If you are a beginner you can feel good about getting this book as they do start with everything you need to know to get your animations going. The various parts of the interface are clearly laid out and explained, and are accompanied with full-color screenshots. I especially like how they refer to all of the commands by starting with the shortcut key (P is for Position, etc). I also like how they group items from the preferences list with the section that teaches the corresponding function. That way you can set your preferences at the same time you're learning what to do.

The section on expressions is fantastic. I have always avoided expressions, except for wiggle, and now I feel like I can actually write expressions on my own with some certainty and speed. The section on blending modes is also really strong; some of the more unusual blending modes are explained in a way that I finally understand what is going on (and have learned a few better ways to stack layers to get what I want). There's also a great section on working with photoshop and some of the common problems there. Even if you have a good amount of experience, there's probably a greater understanding of the product that you can get from this book. You may not want to read it from beginning to end if you are an expert, but it is easily used to trouble shoot an issue.

Honestly, I've had fun flipping through it and catching some new techniques from the newer functions, and I've also used it to help me figure out how to do something that I was imagining.... Awesome book that I recommend. Read more ›