After effects workshop one.

This is how after effects looks when you first open it up. 

If you lose windows click window > workspace > reset 'standard'

To start work select new composition.

Pal is the UK video option. 

These options are more for video rather than animating. 

The page set-up changes slightly once you press OK. 

The number values that are yellow with a dotted line can be changed. 

Once you add something it appears here as a layer. 

You can give the object a certain duration within the timeline. 

If you drag the red line you can quickly see how the graphics will play out. 

To move the object on the screen click and drag it. 

To playback the whole sequence hit the space bar. 

To playback with music these controls are used, this is also the best way to playback. 

To get back to the beginning of the sequence use the home key (arrow pointing to the top left).

To alter the quality of an image select the auto tab. 

By shortening the grey bar you can focus on specific areas so it doesn't play for the whole time when you hit space. 

You can transform a shape by clicking on the arrow next to a layer and the arrow next to a layer and the arrow next to trasnform.

If you click position, move the time bar along the time section and then move the shape it creates a line and drops a new keyframe onto the timeline. 

The keyframe diamond shape is movable by clicking on it and dragging it. 

If you select over the keyframes and press ALT you can drag them closer to each other but keep the sequence, this is useful if you want to make playback shorter and keep what you have done. 

If you press the key with a wave and backward comma on it you can zoom in on certain windows. 

If you click on a layer and press certain keys such as P, certain transformations appear, in this case position. By selecting all layers you can transform them all at once. 

If you select a layer and press I this will bring to you the beginning and O the end. 

The U key opens any animated layers. 

You can click on the anchor points so the shape doesn't juse move in a straight line. 

By clicking the pen tool you can opt to make some of the paths have a point instead of being curved. 

To export the animation click 'add to render queue' > 'format options' > H.246 (suitable for blogs) > 'output to' and then it will go whereever you specify it to. Finally click render.