So you've got After Effects installed and ready to roll? Good. Let's ease you into the workspace before you start thinking, "Why does this look like a cockpit?"
This page will walk you through:
✅ Opening your first project
✅ Understanding the layout
✅ Creating your first composition
✅ Importing files like a pro
No stress. No jargon. Just clarity. 🧠
Step 1: Launch After Effects 🚀
Open After Effects. Breathe.
You’ll see a Home Screen. From here, either:
✅ Click New Project (to start from scratch), or
✅ Click Open Project (if you're reworking something)
Let’s assume you’re starting fresh — so hit New Project.
Step 2: Understand the Interface 🖥️
Your screen is divided into sections (panels):
✅ Project Panel (Top Left) – Think of this like your “bag”. All your footage, audio, and compositions live here.
✅ Timeline Panel (Bottom) – This is where the magic happens. You stack, trim, and animate your layers here.
✅ Composition Panel (Top Center) – A live preview of your animation.
✅ Toolbar (Top) – Selection tool, text, shape tools, etc. Like your creative toolbox.
It might look messy, but we’ll clean it up soon.
🧼 Pro Tip: Go to Window > Workspace > Default if things look weird. Resetting your layout solves 90% of UI problems.
Step 3: Create Your First Composition 🧩
Click Composition > New Composition or use the shortcut Ctrl + N / Cmd + N.
Set these values:
✅ Name: “IntroComp” or anything simple
✅ Resolution: 1920x1080 (Full HD)
✅ Frame Rate: 30 fps is a safe start
✅ Duration: 10 seconds is plenty to begin
Hit OK. You just created your canvas.
Step 4: Importing Files Like a Pro 📁
You can’t animate what you don’t have. Let’s import some files:
✅ Go to File > Import > File OR just double-click inside the Project Panel
✅ Choose your image, video, or audio file
✅ Drag it into your composition timeline to start playing with it
You’ll see the layer pop up in your timeline. You’re officially editing.
Step 5: Move Things Around (Literally) 🎯
Click on the layer in the Composition Panel. You’ll see a blue box.
✅ Use the Selection Tool (V) to move it around
✅ Hit S to scale, R to rotate, T to adjust opacity (aka transparency)
✅ Keyframe those properties to animate them (we’ll dive into this soon)
Play around. Nothing will break. Just hit Ctrl+Z if something gets funky.
Step 6: Save Your Project 💾
Don’t be a daredevil. Hit Ctrl+S (or Cmd+S) every few minutes. Trust us — After Effects will crash at the worst possible moment.
That’s It! You’re In 🎉
By now, you’ve:
✅ Opened AE
✅ Created a comp
✅ Imported media
✅ Moved it around
✅ Saved your progress
You’re no longer scared of the interface. That’s a win.
Next up: Animation Basics — bringing your content to life. 🔥
Post a Comment