The project file for this discussion is at http://www.nonoise.net/fm/misc/AE6STD_Disc.html
20:12:22 [Mitch] go ahead fernando...i just want to mention we have another session scheduled for 11am tomorrow and an ae pro 6 new features scheduled for 2 weeks...that will be a single session at this time...
20:12:55 [FM] ok! everybody as AE6 opened?
20:13:13 [XtReMe] uh huh
20:13:14 [Mitch] yep
20:13:33 [FM] Since I'm going to cut & past some of the text warn me If I'm of pace with you
20:14:02 [FM] I'm a slow typer so I did this in advance. I'll pause for questions
20:14:18 [FM] I'm going to start by pointing out some new graphical interface elements in AE6 that IMO enhance productivity.
20:14:29 [FM] #1- There is a set of new tools on the tools palette, being the rectangular mask tool & the <B>elliptical mask
20:14:44 [FM] Now we can draw these directly on a layer & make them any size immediately. On AE 5.5 we needed more steps to do this.
20:15:00 [FM] questions?
20:15:28 [FM] #2- There is a new group of tools -> the paint tools that have a rather hybrid behavior:
20:15:35 [Nancy] I am only seeing rectangular - is that a dropdown if I had a project open?
20:15:53 [FM] A drop down yes
20:16:02 [Nancy] thanks
20:16:24 [FM] the Brush Tool , the Clone Tool & the Eraser Tool are in reality an Effect but at the same time
20:16:42 [FM] appear on the timeline as kind of a sub-layer under Effects > Paint for each new stroke made on a layer.
20:16:59 [FM] There are two restrictions on how to use them:
20:17:33 [FM] wait a bit sorry!
20:18:49 [FM] - we have to open the layer window (by double-clicking on a layer) to draw;
20:19:01 [FM] - If we open the Effects Control Window (pressing F3) we may see the Paint effect applied but with only one option
20:19:22 [FM] We have to change the rest of the settings on the Timeline.
20:19:34 [FM] we'll make a simple exercise with these later if you don't mind.
20:19:39 [Mitch] ok
20:19:43 [FM] Questions so far?
20:19:49 [Nancy] ok
20:20:16 [FM] #3- The Text group of tools, Horizontal Type & Vertical Type auto create a text layer.
20:20:34 [FM] Sorry mitch, what was the question?
20:21:09 [FM] Ok!
20:21:23 [FM] Previously you needed to use a Text effect (it still exists for backward compatibility) on an existing layer.
20:21:31 [FM] This new tool is MUCH more powerful than the previous effect as we will see later.
20:21:44 [FM] So far?
20:22:18 [FM] #4- On the composition windows there are some new buttons to add some ease of use to compositing, on the bottom:
20:22:35 [FM] - we can toggle the masks visibility -> 3rd button from the left after the safe areas one;
20:22:42 [FM] - we can toggle the transparency grid visibility -> the button with a checkerboard icon;
20:22:46 [Mitch] fernando, got a question about text...it seems that the text effect is different than a text layer
20:22:53 [FM] - We can also toggle the PAR (Pixel Aspect Ratio) correction on & off -> the button on the right next to the Active Camera
20:23:01 [FM] selector.
20:23:13 [FM] Go ahead mitch
20:23:26 [XtReMe] yeh i got a question after mitch!
20:23:49 [FM] yes it's diferent: Its a rendered effect
20:24:12 [FM] While text layer is vectorial until we render the final
20:24:27 [FM] The final file I mean
20:24:42 [Mitch] ok
20:24:54 [XtReMe] nevermind my question after effects told me the answer when i clicked the button
20:24:57 [FM] ok! Xtreme
20:25:21 [FM] Yeah there are tool tips on most of the buttuns
20:25:58 [FM] Ok, for those of you who have PS 7 you can open the Text.psd file. I used an empty layer & 2 sets with a text layer
20:26:38 [FM] You don't have to open it if you know PS well
20:26:51 [FM] sorry for the double post
20:27:03 [FM] I also made 8 guidelines approximately where the safe areas should be (NTSC in this case, even though I use PAL)
20:27:14 [FM] I always use a file with these guidelines as a template for video graphics.
20:27:30 [FM] we are going to import this file into AE. With AE opened in a new Project, press CTRL+I,
20:27:42 [FM] select Text.psd & on the Import As: select Composition - Cropped Layers
20:27:50 [FM] First notice how each layer set from PSD imported as a nested composition.
20:28:07 [FM] done?
20:28:23 [Mitch] slow down a moment
20:28:26 [FM] If we had more layers on each set we could animate them separately as compositions.
20:28:36 [FM] K
20:29:34 [FM] say when
20:30:00 [Mitch] cool
20:30:04 [XtReMe] where do your title safe lines appear from?
20:30:32 [FM] From the gidelines I set up in PS
20:30:37 [Mitch] i'm ok
20:30:50 [XtReMe] ah ok
20:31:03 [FM] These are imported from PS without issues
20:31:26 [FM] They do help a lot in migrating ps files to AE
20:31:36 [Mitch] why did you choose cropped layers? and what does that do?
20:31:42 [Nancy] ok
20:31:57 [FM] We will get there next mitch
20:32:05 [XtReMe] why do the gridlines show up only in the main comp and not the nested ones
20:32:14 [energy] I have AE5.5 Pro-will this work for this tutorial, or am I SOL?
20:32:38 [FM] Thats a good question & I don't know if it is a bug or as designed
20:33:03 [FM] no AE 5.5 will not work
20:33:17 [FM] sorry energy
20:33:33 [XtReMe] can i get rid of these grid lines/
20:33:39 [FM] ok I'll go on
20:33:39 [XtReMe] i think the answer is no
20:34:02 [FM] Yes xtreme just drag them off the window
20:34:11 [FM] just like in PS
20:34:19 [energy] Thanks-I'll just lurk
20:34:37 [XtReMe] ah yes, neat
20:35:09 [FM] xtreme you can also add new guide lines if you want but you need to have the rulers showing
20:35:09 [Mitch] go ahead
20:35:24 [FM] Now if you expand the folder Text Comp 1 on the project window & double click on Set 1
20:35:39 [FM] You will see on the timeline that there is a graphic layer called This is a Test, right?
20:35:49 [XtReMe] yep
20:35:56 [FM] This layer can be converted back into text in AE6, just select this layer and choose Layer > Convert to Editable Text
20:36:07 [Nancy] yes
20:36:13 [FM] As you can see it turned into a text layer.
20:36:31 [FM] The only restriction is: <B>it must come from a text layer in PS!<B>
20:36:40 [FM] If we merge or rasterize the layer in PS we will get an error in AE if we try to convert.
20:36:41 [XtReMe] what are the rules for something able to convert?
20:36:48 [FM] questions?
20:36:59 [XtReMe] wow you answered before i asked
20:37:15 [Mitch] good info
20:37:18 [FM] Good! lol!
20:37:29 [XtReMe] so you can only convert a layer which was originally a text layer in PS
20:37:44 [Nancy] time out please
20:37:49 [FM] yes that's it
20:38:04 [FM] yes nancy?
20:38:05 [Nancy] where do I choose that layer?
20:38:31 [FM] on the timeline
20:38:42 [Nancy] I think I need to have something open that I don't.
20:38:48 [Nancy] ok
20:39:10 [FM] do you see it?
20:39:47 [FM] more questions?
20:40:00 [FM] Ok, let’s import the same file again but this time in Import As: select Composition
20:40:06 [XtReMe] wait
20:40:08 [Nancy] I have the timeline, and the correct layer now. I use Layer on the menu?
20:40:10 [FM] Now if we expand the folder Text Comp 2 on the project window & click on any text layer we will see the size
20:40:42 [XtReMe] you pointed out convert to editable text. does AE6 STD have the create outlines option as well or is this just pro?
20:40:43 [FM] Yes that's it nancy
20:41:16 [Nancy] I'm not doing something right, as the option is grayed out to convert to editable text.
20:41:35 [FM] Good question xtreme! I have the pro version & it seems that they both have it but I'm not sure
20:42:25 [XtReMe] nancy have you selected the layer in the SEt 1 composition?
20:42:38 [Nancy] the option is on mine std edition
20:42:49 [Nancy] I thought I had it selected, but obviously not.
20:43:10 [FM] Yes this works on std too
20:43:11 [Nancy] let me rephrase that - I see Create OUtlines under the Layer menu.
20:43:31 [XtReMe] so it is present in std then
20:43:37 [Mitch] fm...where should i be seeing the size for text comp 2?
20:44:08 [Nancy] please go ahead - I don't want to hold this up.
20:44:26 [FM] I never got to finish that setence micth: when you select a layer
20:44:39 [FM] on the right side of the thumbnail view.
20:45:00 [FM] there is a description of it
20:45:35 [Mitch] yes
20:46:20 [FM] & by size & also mean the resolution
20:46:22 [Mitch] i'm ok
20:46:38 [FM] Comparing the size of the layers from both compositions we can see the difference made from the Cropped Layers option
20:46:46 [FM] The most immediate benefit from this is lowering the render times.
20:47:22 [FM] Nancy have we lost you?
20:47:32 [Nancy] yep
20:48:00 [FM] Mitch is going to publish it so I'll go on
20:48:15 [Nancy] but please keep going. I can read this later and get caught up.
20:48:19 [FM] Tip: If you want to import a composited version of a layered Adobe Photoshop file along with a layered version,
20:48:27 [FM] select Always Maximize Compatibility for Photoshop (PSD) Files in the Photoshop File Handling Preferences dialog box.
20:48:40 [FM] This is in PS
20:48:45 [FM] ok?
20:48:48 [XtReMe] nice ill do that
20:49:00 [FM] There can be some odd behavior or mismatch between the layers if you don't have it checked.
20:49:16 [Mitch] ok
20:49:45 [FM] While we are on the Text matter let's open a different AE project (save the current one if you like) -> Text1.aep.
20:50:03 [FM] I have already some text set up. Press CTRL+Keypad 0 to preview it.
20:50:20 [FM] say when ready
20:51:17 [XtReMe] ready
20:51:57 [FM] notice there are only two keyframes for the whole animation.
20:51:59 [Nancy] ok
20:52:11 [Mitch1] ok
20:52:33 [FM] I assume that the layer is expanded on the timeline
20:52:47 [Mitch1] yep
20:52:48 [FM] Ok to see how this works lets double click on timecode (the blue number top left on the timeline) , enter zero & press
20:53:01 [FM] Enter
20:53:19 [FM] Then double click on the text on the composition window. You'll be able to edit the text.
20:53:38 [FM] Select the capital T, right click on it & on the context menu select Add Text Selector > Range
20:54:05 [FM] On the timeline if we expand the text layer & the Text property you will see two Animators
20:54:23 [FM] The Animator 1 was the one I had previously created.
20:54:40 [FM] The Animator 2 is the one you just created, with a range selector highlighted.
20:54:56 [FM] On this second animator there is a switch Add:> where you can select what property you want to animate.
20:55:15 [FM] You can use any of these properties with keyframes.
20:55:25 [FM] Questions?
20:55:43 [Mitch1] ok
20:56:45 [FM] Instead of going trough the whole process I will refer you to the some other files
20:56:48 [XtReMe] i had not realised how much there was on these text layers. dont use them much, but its good to know
20:57:22 [FM] This a huge advance in text animating in AE
20:57:36 [FM] Ok! open sizzletext2.aep. Mitch set up a different way of doing a similar thing with different properties.
20:57:49 [FM] Just take a look at the properties he keyframed & how he did it.
20:58:37 [FM] if you have questions this far we will both try to answer
20:59:11 [XtReMe] yeh i examined that project earlier. i looked quite closely so know how that one works
20:59:58 [FM] They are pretty similar! that's how AE text is very verasatile
21:00:03 [XtReMe] must say it was a bit slow! 20 second animation! lol
21:00:43 [Mitch1] i was just playing, not a real project
21:01:02 [FM] but it was great to follow trhough
21:01:26 [FM] Ok an we move on?
21:01:51 [FM] The last Project with text: let's open Text.aep
21:02:02 [XtReMe] yeh i know, just commenting 3 or 4 secs is good tho
21:02:29 [FM] As you can see by expanding the layer I mixed different properties, added a <B>wiggly<B> selector & used a path to conform the text to.
21:02:39 [FM] We could also animate the path or the way the text behaves along the path.
21:02:47 [FM] Questions?
21:04:02 [XtReMe] nope i get that
21:04:13 [Mitch1] how would you animate the path?
21:04:16 [FM] I forgot to close the bold on wiggly
21:04:52 [FM] The path is basically a mask
21:05:08 [FM] It shows as sush on the timeline
21:05:37 [Mitch1] ok
21:05:43 [FM] & can be keyframed by the Mask Shape property
21:06:08 [Mitch1] yep
21:06:27 [FM] anyone else?
21:07:01 [FM] Next project Swing.aep. Before we look at the composition already there, lets open a new one, if you please.
21:07:40 [FM] Let's use the NTSC DV 720 x 480 preset & create a new black solid on the timeline using the Comp Size
21:07:52 [FM] Done?
21:07:54 [Nancy] I've got that part mastered - open new project. It's right after that I get lost. *S*
21:08:48 [FM] You can open this project already made & then open a composition
21:09:01 [FM] inside it nancy
21:09:50 [Nancy] so far I'm with you. *S*
21:09:52 [FM] Mitch2 wow
21:10:10 [Mitch2] it keeps locking up...
21:10:19 [FM] We are going to use the Brush tool to draw something on the solid.
21:10:29 [FM] As I mentioned before you have to double click on the solid layer to open the layer window
21:10:37 [FM] You can only draw on this window, not on the comp window.
21:10:51 [FM] Say when?
21:10:59 [Mitch2] ok
21:11:15 [Nancy] ok
21:11:16 [FM] There are also some new options on this window (any single layer window to be precise), which are:
21:11:34 [FM] View showing Masks or None until you draw a stroke with the Brush. After that it will show: Paint.
21:11:54 [FM] You can select what you want to view on this window from these options.
21:12:14 [FM] & there is a new check mark on Render enabling you to see the layer with or without changes.
21:12:27 [FM] Questions
21:12:56 [FM] ?
21:13:23 [Mitch2] where's render again?
21:13:59 [FM] Rigth next to the View options:
21:14:48 [FM] You must have the layer window opened
21:15:03 [FM] Double click on the layer to open it
21:15:40 [FM] ok?
21:16:24 [Nancy] I think so.
21:16:28 [Mitch2] i see it my window wasn't wide enough
21:16:42 [FM] ok
21:17:10 [FM] Ok! Make sure you have the brush tool selected & on the palette settings make sure you see this:
21:17:23 [FM] Opacity & Flow: 100%. Use a contrasting color as white or yellow for foreground color;
21:17:37 [FM] Use the default soft tip 13 pixels brush or similar;
21:17:50 [FM] Mode: Normal, Channels: RGBA, Duration: Constant.
21:18:08 [FM] Now lets just draw a stroke across the screen.
21:18:17 [FM] ok?
21:18:53 [XtReMe] fm, quick q before i go, gotta get up early... how hard is it to converty paint strokes to amsk?
21:18:56 [Mitch2] ok
21:18:57 [XtReMe] mask^
21:19:25 [FM] You can't!
21:19:46 [FM] However You can paste masks into srtokes
21:20:02 [FM] Which is way better
21:20:39 [XtReMe] ah ok well i think that will be a task for tomoz, im gonna find out how to convert strokes to masks in some roundabout way. anyway cya peeps thx for the chat i learnt a cfew new tricks
21:20:46 [FM] Any mask can be converted in a stroke or shape
21:21:01 [FM] ok see you
21:21:20 [Nancy] sleep tight.
21:21:44 [FM] for those still here
21:21:47 [FM] now hit P twice to see the stroke on the timeline.
21:22:02 [FM] As you can see there is a Duration Bar that resembles a layer & it's behavior.
21:22:14 [FM] you can change it's duration & position in time as you would do with a layer.
21:22:26 [FM] & if you have several strokes you can reorder them on the timeline.
21:22:34 [FM] questions
21:23:18 [Nancy] cool
21:23:28 [Mitch2] cool
21:24:04 [FM] Ok!change the duration on the Brush palette to Write ON
21:24:16 [FM] Make sure you don't have the previous stroke selected & draw another stroke.
21:24:30 [FM] If you move the time cursor (current-time indicator or CTI) on the timeline or play it you will see the stroke animated.
21:24:49 [FM] right?
21:25:05 [FM] Basically AE created two key frames under Brush 2 > Stroke Options > End which you also manually set on the first stroke you created.
21:25:14 [FM] Questions?
21:26:15 [Mitch] cool
21:26:38 [FM] You keep having problems?
21:26:49 [FM] with the chat?
21:27:13 [Mitch] probably my own fault
21:27:15 [FM] Ok I'm almost finished
21:27:31 [FM] Now let's just animate the brush in a different way: stroke targeting.
21:27:40 [Nancy] I didn't get it animated - but wow I got two different painted lines
21:28:06 [FM] Yes the second one should be animated
21:28:15 [sparky] I must have taken a wrong turn
21:28:56 [FM] Never mind Nancy I'll be glad to repeat this at a later time if tyou need
21:29:05 [FM] Lets move the CTI back to the beginning of the timeline. Select Brush 1 & immediately bellow, on the Shape property
21:29:11 [sparky] I am lost in cyberland
21:29:18 [Nancy] no problem Fernando - keep going.
21:29:22 [FM] create a keyframe. Then move the CTI to the end of the Timeline & draw a different stroke.
21:30:11 [FM] A new keyframe is auto-created on shape & the stroke sort of "morphs" between the two shapes.
21:30:29 [FM] questions?
21:30:56 [Mitch] cool
21:31:11 [FM] Tip: A stroke is very hard to control even with a graphics tablet & cannot be directly modified,
21:31:20 [FM] so there is another technique which is
21:31:30 [FM] to create a path with the pen tool, copying & pasting it with the Shape property of the Brush selected.
21:31:40 [FM] This way you can also control the last animation technique better by creating new keyframes with different paths.
21:31:53 [FM] You can also delete these paths afterwards since the data is held by the Shape property.
21:32:15 [FM] ok?
21:32:16 [Nancy] oh wow I did it!
21:32:26 [FM]
21:32:30 [Mitch] ok
21:32:45 [Mitch]
21:32:47 [FM] Last:
21:32:58 [FM] On this project I have a clip with a swinging ball. & it's on the timeline of the previous composition
21:33:09 [FM] If you double click on the clip from the project window you will see the original clip & on the comp window
21:33:26 [FM] you can see it without the yellow "string": what I did was to use the Clone tool in a similar way I would in Photoshop on the first frame.
21:33:44 [FM] Then I just Keyframed the Transform > Rotate property of the Clone to sync it with the swing.
21:33:55 [FM] In this particular case I could also have easily used the Erase tool...
21:34:08 [FM] As I mentioned before these three are all part of the Paint Engine of AE
21:34:23 [FM] Questions?
21:34:29 [Nancy] that makes sense
21:34:55 [Mitch] cool..i'll have to look at it more
21:35:17 [FM] Good! I was afraid I was complicating all of this
21:35:33 [FM] Just one last trick?
21:35:52 [Nancy] sure
21:36:02 [Mitch] sure!
21:36:09 [FM] Last one: open a new composition & place the Swing clip on the timeline.
21:36:22 [FM] say when?
21:37:09 [Mitch] ok
21:37:29 [Nancy] ok
21:37:30 [FM] With the layer selected got to the menu Layer > Auto Trace...
21:37:39 [FM] On the dialog box set the following options:
21:37:48 [FM] Time Span: Work Area
21:37:58 [FM] Options: Tolerance = 1 pixels, Threshold = 10% Channel = Luminance
21:38:10 [FM] Leave the rest unchecked. Click OK.
21:38:40 [FM] It will take a while for AE to do it
21:38:50 [FM] Say when?
21:39:33 [Nancy] my "ok" didn't show up!
21:39:47 [FM] oh?
21:40:02 [Nancy] I mean I said OK in the chat room and it didn't show - okay I did that part.
21:40:02 [Mitch1] ok
21:40:24 [FM] lol@nancy
21:40:37 [FM] On the Effects palette open Render & drag Scribble to the layer. Preview it!
21:41:06 [FM] This was my final one.
21:41:12 [FM] Questions
21:41:30 [FM] If you later import the Chrome.psd as a composition & use the Auto Trace you can test all the settings to see the different results.
21:41:37 [Nancy] I don't have scribble.
21:42:07 [FM] no? It should be part of AE std
21:42:14 [FM] I think...
21:42:18 [Mitch1] effects>render>scribble
21:42:32 [Mitch1] worked for me
21:42:36 [FM] yes
21:42:38 [Nancy] I only am showing two - audio waveform and radio waves
21:42:56 [Nancy] hmm I'm looking in the wrong place then
21:43:14 [FM] yes that's it
21:43:33 [Nancy] okay found it
21:43:41 [FM] that's instant masks! Mitch a life saver on ocasions
21:44:01 [Mitch1] ok...a big thanks for all the preparation and great info!!!!
14:02:13 [psturgill] FER NAN DO ............ FER NAN DO ........ FER NAN DO!!!!!!
14:02:30 [FM]
14:02:47 [Mitch] fernando is also presenting a discussion on ae pro 6 new features in about 2 weeks
14:03:14 [Mitch] that will just be 1 session on wednesday evening
14:03:28 [Mitch] you're up fernando
14:03:41 [FM] k
14:04:02 [FM] I'm going to start by pointing out some new graphical interface elements in AE6 that IMO enhance productivity.
14:04:22 [FM] #1- There is a set of new tools on the tools palette,
14:04:37 [FM] being the rectangular mask tool & the elliptical mask tool a welcome addition.
14:04:57 [FM] Now we can draw these directly on a layer & make them any size immediately. On AE 5.5 we needed more steps to do this.
14:05:19 [FM] I trust you all have AE 6 opened
14:05:24 [Mitch] very nice
14:05:31 [FM] Questions
14:05:34 [Mitch] yep
14:05:42 [psturgill]
No... I am at work... I have Visual Studio .NET open...
does that help?
14:06:02 [FM] not really ps... lol!
14:06:28 [FM] Questions?
14:06:28 [psturgill] How would we use those tools? Why would we use them... I am very dumb, so please excuse me if these are really beginner questions...
14:06:38 [Mitch] go ahead
14:07:10 [FM] That is abit OT ps ... don't you think?
14:07:16 [djdeth]
You aren't dumb I had the same question but was too scared
to ask
14:07:19 [FM] #2- There is a new group of tools -> the paint tools that have a rather hybrid behavior:
14:07:41 [psturgill] sure... sorry...
14:07:52 [FM] oh well I'll be hapy to explain them later, ok?
14:08:08 [djdeth] OT?
14:08:11 [FM] now about #2
14:08:24 [Mitch] paul and dj, there is a discussion log posted on ae masks that you might find useful
14:09:10 [Mitch] Over Time...to be discussed later
14:09:34 [psturgill]
I thought it was Off Topic...
14:09:49 [FM] the Brush Tool , the Clone Tool & the Eraser Tool are in reality an Effect but at the same time
14:09:52 [djdeth] I don't see the paint tool?
14:10:00 [Mitch] fernando, go ahead
14:10:05 [djdeth] Oh I see those.
14:10:09 [FM] appear on the timeline as kind of a sub-layer under Effects > Paint for each new stroke made on a layer.
14:10:25 [FM] There are two restrictions on how to use them:
14:10:38 [FM] - we have to open the layer window (by double-clicking on a layer) to draw;
14:10:47 [FM] - If we open the Effects Control Window (pressing F3) we may see the Paint effect applied but with only one option
14:10:59 [FM] We have to change the rest of the settings on the Timeline.
14:11:09 [FM] we'll make a simple exercise with these later
14:11:24 [FM] questions so far?
14:11:44 [RedSpider] nope!
14:11:57 [Mitch] no
14:12:04 [FM] #4- On the composition windows there are some new buttons to add some ease of use to compositing, on the bottom:
14:12:25 [FM] sorry jump one
14:12:37 [FM] #3- The Text group of tools, Horizontal Type & Vertical Type auto create a text layer.
14:12:51 [FM] Previously you needed to use a Text effect (it still exists for backward compatibility) on an existing layer.
14:13:03 [FM] This new tool is MUCH more powerful than the previous effect as we will see later.
14:13:10 [FM] questions?
14:13:53 [psturgill] no
14:13:58 [FM] #4- On the composition windows there are some new buttons to add some ease of use to compositing, on the bottom:
14:14:10 [FM] - we can toggle the masks visibility -> 3rd button from the left after the safe areas one;
14:14:20 [FM] - we can toggle the transparency grid visibility -> the button with a checkerboard icon;
14:14:30 [FM] - We can also toggle the PAR (Pixel Aspect Ratio) correction on & off -> the button on the right next to the Active Camera selector.
14:14:47 [FM] Questions?
14:15:10 [Mitch] what would you use PAR for?
14:16:12 [FM] Just to adjust the comp window to the correct PAR of your source files
14:16:31 [FM] it wont affect the final render at all
14:16:56 [Mitch] is this square pixels and round pixels?
14:17:11 [Mitch] ok
14:17:34 [FM] Depends on the project settings also
14:18:03 [Mitch] ok we can discuss later
14:18:33 [FM] if you have the normal NTSC or PAL settings then you will be able to see how square pix are affected & correct them if needed
14:18:53 [Mitch] ok
14:19:26 [FM] you can open the Text.psd file if you want in PS 7. I used an empty layer & 2 sets with a text layer
14:19:47 [FM] don't need to do it if you know PS well
14:20:15 [FM] I used an empty layer & 2 sets with a text layer
14:20:19 [Mitch] i opened it in PS 6 ok
14:20:27 [FM] each
14:21:28 [FM] sorry I had to hit refreash
14:22:12 [FM] I also made 8 guidelines approximately where the safe areas should be (NTSC in this case, even though I use PAL).
14:22:19 [FM] I always use a file with these guidelines as a template for video graphics.
14:22:29 [FM] we are going to import this file into AE. With AE opened in a new Project, press CTRL+I,
14:22:42 [FM] select Text.psd & on the Import As: select Composition - Cropped Layers
14:22:54 [FM] say when ready?
14:23:26 [Mitch] ready
14:23:33 [FM] First notice how each layer set from PSD imported as a nested composition.
14:23:42 [FM] If we had more layers on each set we could animate them separately as compositions.
14:24:03 [FM] That shows how important is organizing layers in PS beforehand.
14:24:14 [FM] Notice also that guidelines are imported.
14:24:28 [FM] Now if you expand the folder Text Comp 1 on the project window & double click on Set 1
14:24:38 [FM] You will see on the timeline that there is a graphic layer called This is a Test, right?
14:25:18 [FM] ?
14:25:21 [Mitch] yep
14:25:37 [FM] This layer can be converted back into text in AE6, just select this layer and choose Layer > Convert to Editable Text
14:25:55 [FM] As you can see it turned into a text layer.
14:26:04 [FM] The only restriction is: it must come from a text layer in PS!
14:26:15 [FM] If we merge or rasterize the layer in PS we will get an error in AE if we try to convert.
14:26:24 [FM] Questions?
14:27:01 [Mitch] it becomes a text layer and not a text effect, right?
14:27:27 [FM] Exactly
14:27:44 [Mitch] second question
14:27:59 [FM] Text layer is vectorial & Text effect is rendered
14:28:06 [FM] yes?
14:28:25 [Mitch] in ps i can add shadows, bevel, etc. to text...how does this import into ae
14:29:03 [Mitch] ?
14:29:15 [FM] Most of the Blending Modes are importable into AE
14:29:38 [Mitch] ok thanks
14:29:39 [FM] But some are converted to PS effects
14:30:15 [FM] inside AE depending on how well AE supports the conversion
14:30:53 [Mitch] ok...i'll try it
14:31:00 [FM] That was the same in AE5.5
14:31:16 [FM] more questions?
14:31:43 [FM] Ok, let’s import the same file again but this time in Import As: select Composition
14:31:59 [FM] Now if we expand the folder Text Comp 2 on the project window & click on any text layer we will see the size
14:32:09 [FM] (resolution) of the selected layer on the right side of the thumbnail view.
14:32:30 [FM] Comparing the size of the layers from both compositions we can see the difference made from the Cropped Layers option
14:32:58 [FM] As Mitch pointed out before the discussion
14:33:24 [FM] The term Cropped is not very clear
14:33:53 [Mitch] cropped = maintain original size
14:34:09 [Mitch] normal = set to composition size
14:34:18 [Mitch] right?
14:34:25 [FM]
thanks mitch!
14:34:47 [FM] The most immediate benefit from this is lowering the render times.
14:35:44 [FM] but if you need that the center of the layers to be coincident to the center of the comp
14:36:16 [FM] for rotating or similar actions
14:36:46 [FM] then you should use the normal compositon import
14:36:54 [FM] questions
14:37:42 [Mitch] the render times will be lower if your ps file is smaller than the composition size but longer if the file is larger
14:37:55 [Mitch] correct?
14:38:40 [FM] nope... The non cropped composition is always the size of the PS file
14:39:13 [FM] you are importing PS as Composition, rigth?
14:39:32 [Mitch] but if you've imported a 3 megapixel photo won't normal, shring the file?
14:39:38 [FM] I just used a PS with NTSC settings but...
14:39:53 [Mitch] shrink not shring
14:40:16 [FM] no... iT will use it as the comp size
14:40:29 [Mitch] ok
14:40:42 [FM] the imported Comp = PSD size
14:41:14 [FM] With matching PAR also
14:41:25 [FM] ok?
14:42:06 [Mitch] ok
14:42:13 [FM] Tip: If you want to import a composited version of a layered Adobe Photoshop file along with a layered version,
14:42:20 [FM] select Always Maximize Compatibility for Photoshop (PSD) Files in the Photoshop File Handling Preferences dialog box.
14:42:37 [FM] this in PS
14:42:42 [FM] There can be some odd behavior or mismatch between the layers if you don't have it checked.
14:43:02 [FM] Questions
14:43:43 [FM] By composited I mean a merged version
14:43:49 [Mitch] no
14:44:00 [Mitch] all good here
14:44:03 [FM] let's open a different AE project (save the current one if you like) -> Text1.aep
14:44:16 [FM] I have already some text set up. Press CTRL+Keypad 0 to preview it.
14:44:37 [FM] Say when ready
14:44:53 [Mitch] ok
14:45:44 [FM] notice there are only two keyframes for the whole animation.
14:46:27 [FM] On the timeline if we expand the text layer & the Text property you will see
14:46:40 [FM] a range selector
14:46:58 [FM] inside an animator
14:47:30 [FM] I chose not to do another animator this time
14:47:49 [FM] but if you click on the range selector
14:48:11 [FM] It will highlight it on the comp window
14:49:07 [FM] If you slide the time cursor or CTI along the timeline you will see how it behaves
14:49:30 [FM] & how the animation was made
14:49:34 [Mitch] cool
14:49:59 [FM] On this animator there is a switch Add:> where you can select what property you want to animate.
14:50:15 [FM] You can use any of these properties with keyframes.
14:50:25 [FM] Questions
14:51:12 [Mitch] no question here
14:51:35 [FM] Ok! open sizzletext2.aep. Mitch set up a different way of doing a similar thing with different properties.
14:51:48 [FM] Just take a look at the properties he keyframed & how he did it.
14:52:05 [FM] k?
14:52:25 [FM] Questions?
14:52:44 [Mitch] ok
14:52:56 [FM] the chat is a bit slow on my end sorry
14:53:09 [FM] The last Project with text: let's open Text.aep
14:53:24 [FM] As you can see by expanding the layer I mixed different properties, added a wiggly selector & used a path to conform the text to.
14:53:43 [FM] We could also animate the path or the way the text behaves along the path.
14:53:56 [FM] So far?
14:55:05 [Mitch] ok
14:55:17 [FM] Next project Swing.aep. Before we look at the composition already there, lets open a new one, if you please.
14:55:31 [FM] Let's use the NTSC DV 720 x 480 preset & create a new black solid on the timeline using the Comp Size
14:55:50 [FM] done?
14:56:40 [Mitch] ok
14:56:49 [FM] We are going to use the Brush tool to draw something on the solid.
14:56:58 [FM] As I mentioned before you have to double click on the solid layer to open the layer window
14:57:06 [FM] You can only draw on this window, not on the comp window.
14:57:23 [FM] There are also some new options on this window (any single layer window to be precise), which are:
14:57:42 [FM] View showing Masks or None until you draw a stroke with the Brush. After that it will show: Paint.
14:57:56 [FM] You can select what you want to view on this window from these options.
14:58:10 [FM] & a there is a new check mark on Render enabling you to see the layer with or without changes.
14:58:18 [FM] Questions?
14:59:11 [Mitch] ok
14:59:19 [FM] Ok! Make sure you have the brush tool selected & on the palette settings make sure you see this:
14:59:30 [FM] Opacity & Flow: 100%. Use a contrasting color as white or yellow for foreground color;
14:59:46 [FM] Use the default soft tip 13 pixels brush or similar;
14:59:53 [FM] Mode: Normal, Channels: RGBA, Duration: Constant.
15:00:05 [FM] Now lets just draw a stroke across the screen.
15:00:31 [FM] Done?
15:00:50 [Mitch] yes
15:01:01 [FM] now hit P twice to see the stroke on the timeline.
15:01:10 [FM] As you can see there is a Duration Bar that resembles a layer & it's behavior.
15:01:21 [FM] you can change it's duration & position in time as you would do with a layer.
15:01:32 [FM] & if you have several strokes you can reorder them on the timeline.
15:01:42 [FM] K?
15:01:48 [Mitch] cool
15:02:03 [FM] change the duration on the Brush palette to Write ON
15:02:15 [FM] Make sure you don't have the previous stroke selected & draw another stroke.
15:02:28 [FM] If you move the time cursor (current-time indicator or CTI) on the timeline or play it you will see the stroke animated.
15:02:50 [FM] Basically AE created two key frames under Brush 2 > Stroke Options > End which you also manually set on the first stroke you created.
15:03:01 [FM] Questions
15:03:41 [Mitch] ok here
15:03:47 [psturgill]
What is the matte tool?
15:04:31 [FM] where do you see it?
15:04:58 [psturgill]
just kidding, that was the first thing you talked about...
15:05:34 [RedSpider] ok, that's cool
15:05:40 [Mitch] while we're off topic...what's pan behind tool do?
15:05:42 [FM] Mask tool maibe?
15:06:19 [FM] The Pan behind tool basicly moves the the layer
15:06:41 [FM] but keeps the anchor point in place
15:06:55 [FM] relative to the comp coordinates
15:07:00 [Mitch] ok
15:07:35 [FM] Sorrry my bad: it only moves the Anchor point
15:08:01 [FM] not the layer
15:08:22 [Mitch] ok
15:08:37 [FM] there is atip about the text layer also
15:09:11 [FM] It doesn't have the anchor point in the phisical center of the layer
15:09:59 [FM] But that's exactly how you can move it to the center
15:10:10 [FM] by using that tool
15:10:19 [Mitch] cool
15:11:17 [FM] Now let's just animate the brush in a different way: stroke targeting.
15:11:18 [Mitch] ok
15:11:37 [FM] Lets move the CTI back to the beginning of the timeline. Select Brush 1 & immediately bellow, on the Shape property
15:11:52 [FM] create a keyframe. Then move the CTI to the end of the Timeline & draw a different stroke.
15:12:22 [FM] A new keyframe is auto-created on shape & the stroke sort of "morphs" between the two shapes.
15:12:30 [FM] Questions?
15:13:37 [Mitch] ok here
15:14:54 [FM] Tip: A stroke is very hard to control even with a graphics tablet & cannot be directly modified,
15:15:06 [FM] so there is another technique which is
15:15:13 [FM] to create a path with the pen tool, copying & pasting it with the Shape property of the Brush selected.
15:15:24 [FM] This way you can also control the last animation technique better by creating new keyframes with different paths.
15:15:34 [FM] You can also delete these paths afterwards since the data is held by the Shape property.
15:15:45 [FM] ok?
15:15:55 [Mitch] cool
15:16:13 [FM] I have only two more things to talk about
15:16:25 [FM] On this project I have a clip with a swinging ball. & it's on the timeline of the previous composition
15:16:36 [FM] If you double click on the clip from the project window you will see the original clip & on the comp window
15:16:58 [FM] you can see it without the yellow "string"
15:17:08 [FM] what I did was to use the Clone tool in a similar way I would in Photoshop on the first frame.
15:17:19 [FM] Then I just Keyframed the Transform > Rotate property of the Clone to sync it with the swing.
15:17:32 [FM] In this particular case I could also have easily used the Erase tool...
15:17:40 [FM] As I mentioned before these three are all part of the Paint Engine of AE
15:17:53 [FM] So they behave in a similar way
15:18:01 [FM] Questions?
15:18:24 [Mitch] ok
15:18:45 [FM] Last one: open a new composition & place the Swing clip on the timeline.
15:19:11 [FM] Say when ready
15:20:02 [Mitch] ok
15:20:09 [FM] With the layer selected got to the menu Layer > Auto Trace...
15:20:17 [RedSpider] reafy Santa!!!
15:20:22 [FM] On the dialog box set the following options:
15:20:36 [FM] Time Span: Work Area
15:20:49 [FM] Options: Tolerance = 1 pixels, Threshold = 10% Channel = Luminance
15:20:58 [FM] Leave the rest unchecked. Click OK.
15:21:09 [FM] RedSpider?
15:21:46 [RedSpider] ready, i can't spell, guess you don't watch rudolph santa shows!!
15:22:09 [FM] nope... lol
15:22:28 [FM] On the Effects palette open Render & drag Scribble to the layer. Preview it!
15:22:33 [Mitch] ok
15:23:04 [Mitch] cool
15:23:28 [FM] If you import the Chrome.psd as a composition & use the Auto Trace you can test all the settings to see the different results.
15:23:53 [FM] That was it questions?
15:24:28 [Mitch] yea...i know next to nothing about Illustrator
15:24:49 [Mitch] can you import illustrator layers like PS layers?
15:25:07 [FM] yes you can
15:25:20 [Mitch] cool
15:25:38 [FM] I didn't mention it because most people don't use it
15:25:55 [Mitch]
that's all my questions for the moment
15:26:15 [FM] A bit like I skiped the import of PPro projects on account of being bug
15:26:49 [Mitch] ok
15:26:57 [FM] I think I pretty much covered most of the new issues