Adobe After Effects 6 Hands-On Training

by Lynda Weinman

Learn basic techniques for creating motion graphics and special effects for film, video and the Web. The accompanying CD-ROM features exercises and QuickTime tutorials. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0321228545
• ISBN13: 9780321228543
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Peachpit Press
• Length: 649 Pages
• Weight: 2.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.1" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

solid introduction

traditionally the Meyers books are considered the standard, but they're kind of dense, a lot to absorb, and they move through material a bit fast. If you're committed and hungry, then maybe they're what you want, but if you want a gentler beginning to build your confidence, I think you're better off starting with this book, and then taking on the Meyers books once you have a solid overall grounding. The difference in layout alone is plenty reason: this book has a lot more white space and breathing room, while the Meyers books are just crammed margin to margin, and feel smaller, even though they are the same size. Properly delivered, AE gives itself up wonderfully, but there's so much to it, you run the risk of overwhelm if it piles on too fast.

THE VERY BEST BOOK FOR "AFTER EFFECTS 6" PERIOD !!

I am a Production Manager for a major TV Station in the Southwest. This is by far the most comprehensive and informative step by step book on "Adobe After Effects" that I have ever read on the subject. Perfect if you are a beginner and working on MAC platform. If you are already familiar with previous versions of After Effects maybe you should look for a more technically advanced book. But if you are new to the subject you won't find a better book than this one. Period!

Truly a H.O.T. publication

Clearly the best tool for learning After Effects on the market. I have Total Training, Classroom In A Book, etc. None compare to this "hands on" tutorial. Very hard to put down.

Outstanding Beginners' Guide

Before turning the first page of this book, the only thing I knew about After Effects was that it was an Adobe product. I breezed through the trainings with no problems, and by the end had a firm grasp of the program. The exercises are well written and straight forward. I found the instances of repetitiveness helpful because of the sheer volume of information covered. I flagged all the major charts and definitions for review, as I am sure this book will be a handy reference long after the last page. Familiarity with Adobe products such as Illustrator and Photoshop will help, but are not essential. I only wish Lynda had written a second volume to cover more advanced techniques as well, but I plan on using her H.O.T. line of books next time I plunge into unfamiliar software.

Great intro

I've read most of the books on After Effects. This one stands out for clarity of instruction. Unlike many of the others, this is both broad in its coverage and it avoids the "just do this" that a lot of introductory books have. It explains the reasoning for picking certain keyframes and has an especially good coverage of 3D space in After effects. It is an introductory book, however, so you will find little on rotoscoping, only introductory information on expressions, and no coverage of keying, image stabilization, or advanced masking.