After Effects Apprentice provides a strong foundation for the aspiring motion graphics designer or visual effects artist. It is an excellent resource to help users get up to speed in After Effects quickly and to maximize their creative expression.
Steve Kilisky, senior product manager, Ad0be After Effects.

The Meyers have once again shown their eloquence and expert knowledge of After Effects. It is my opinion that After Effects Apprentice will be the primer for all those who are learning After Effects in production work.
R.Christopher Biggs, special digital effects animator, Walt Disney Imagineering
I literally learned After Effects from Trish Meyer two weeks before starting work on "Star Wars: Episode 1". I wouldn't have survived without her training. I consider Trish and Chris Meyer my source for After Effects insights. Beyond their knowledge of the application... their commitment to quality, and more importantly clarity, makes all of their books a "Must-have." "After Effects Apprentice" is a great way to get started in After Effects...possibly the best way.
Alex Lindsay, chief architect Pixel Corp

Chris and Trish Meyer's clear and concise instructions make motion graphics accessible to everyone.
Louise Ping, senior product marketing manager, Adobe After Effects

This book provides a "missing link" for those who need to master essential After Effects techniques but also want to improve their overall grasp of broad motion graphics and VFX principles and methods.
Dave Hurley, Instructor, San Francisco State University MSP

The lessons are structured very well, the writing is easy to understand, and each step builds on the previous one. I will defiantly use this book in my Motion Graphics class at MiraCosta College. Thanks for making my job much easier!!
Dan Wagner, Instructor - Motion Graphics, MiraCosta College

New to the 2nd edition:

* All instructions, screen shots, Guided Tour video training movies, and project files updated for After Effects CS4. CS3 and CS4 features have been integrated throughout, including the pervasive use of Shape layers, Layer Styles, and Brainstorm
* More integration with other Adobe applications, including using After Effects with Illustrator, Photoshop (including new Vanishing Point and 3d Layer exercises) and Flash CS4
* Redesigned first and last lessons, including an all-new final project that walks through the creation of a widescreen broadcast TV promo
* Free bonus chapters on the DVD from other books on Photoshop, Cinema 4D, Flash, and broadcast design
* Coupon for 15% off stock footage from Artbeats on DVD

If you're new to After Effects and want to get up to speed quickly, After Effects Apprentice was created just for you. With 11 core lessons plus a hip final project that pulls it all together, you'll learn how to tap this program's vast potential -whether you want to create motion graphics for network television, corporate communications, or your own work.

Fully updated to cover After Effects CS4, this book presents a professional perspective on the most important features a motion graphics artist needs to learn in order to use this program effectively. You'll learn to creatively combine layers, animate eye-catching titles, manipulate 3D space, key and stabilize a shot to place it in a new environment, and use effects to generate excitement or enhance the realism of a scene.

Topics include how to:

. Animate, edit, layer, and composite video and still images.
. Manipulate keyframes and the way they interpolate to create more refined animations.
. Use masks, mattes, stencils and blending modes to add sophistication to your imagery.
. Create and animate shape layers and text.
. Place your layers in 3D space.
. Use tracking and keying to create special effects, such as replacing screen displays.

DVD contains: All exercise source material and projects, an hour and a half of video guided tours, plus bonus chapters from other books.

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