9/12/16 - After Effects Learning (Wiggle Transform)

Well, I'm done with the After Effects course on Lynda.com, but for now I think I'm still gonna keep trying to learn After Effect while I work on the VFX for my film.  Today I did a quick little tutorial (also on Lynda.com) about the Wiggle Transform function.  I'm getting very familiar with it now, and I think it's an incredibly useful tool for automating randomized motion.  I was recently searching for plug-ins to enable a handheld camera shake effect, but now I'm thinking I might actually be able to make my own with this Wiggle feature.  Gotta do some tests now.

9/9/16 - After Effects Learning (Part 20) (Finishing Up)

Just a recap chapter today for the final part of the training series.  Learned a lot after all of this; I'm WAY more comfortable in using After Effects now than I was when I started, and I feel I have a pretty solid foundation of knowledge for it now, enough that I can start to branch out into more complex tasks as I work with it to create the VFX for my current film.  Looking forward to making some crazy shots!  :)

9/8/16 - After Effects Learning (Part 19) (Exporting Video)

A slightly longer chapter today.  Topics included:

• Using Clip Notes to send video files for review
• HQ export options vs. more compressed options
• Exporting a video with an alpha channel
• Exporting video for specific media (DVD, Blu-ray, cellphones, etc.)
• Rendering multiple videos at once
• Rendering via Adobe Media Encoder

For the most part I already know much of this information.  Been exporting/rendering stuff for a while now as I've been following this tutorial series.  But I'm happy I finally understand the exact specifics of how to export video with an alpha channel (probably the most important element of this chapter for me at the moment).  Also learned a subtle new way of rendering multiple versions of an export at once.  Almost done with the series!

9/4/16 - After Effects Learning (Part 18) (Integrating with Other Adobe Applications)

Another simple chapter today.  All about integrating AE with other Adobe applications, notably Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and Premiere.  I'm quite familiar with dynamic linking and all that, but it's good to have an occasional refresher.  And I actually learned a few new options I didn't know about before!