Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Animated sequences can utilize the same options of Render Outputs that can be used in still renders (as
demonstrated in Chapter 12). Set up the necessary render outputs to make later edits on the animated se-
quence. Just as in the previous chapter's discussion of still render output layers, useful options include Sur-
face ID, Diffuse Shading (Total), Reflection Shading, Transparent Shading, Ambient Occlusion, and Depth.
These can all be saved as layers in a Layered Image animation render. Saving these images as a sequence
will not give you an instantly playable movie, but with a small amount of work, a rendered movie can be
output from After Effects by using just the standard Final Color output or with more options using compos-
ited layers.
Composing Final Animations in After Effects
Once you have rendered a finished animation sequence, you need to assemble the frames to create a final
movie. Included on the DVD is a rendered turntable sequence for you to use if you don't want to wait on a
fully rendered animation sequence just to practice movie creation. To get your animation into After Effects:
1.
From the Import section of the File menu, choose Multiple Files. This brings up a standard file im-
port dialog box.
2.
Navigate to the location of your rendered sequence and select the first file in the list.
3.
Make sure that the Photoshop Sequence check box is selected and then click Open.
4.
Change the layer import from Merged Layers to Choose Layer.
5.
Select the first render output from the drop-down menu and then click OK. The layer sequence is
placed in the Project list, and you are then returned to the import menu.
6.
Repeat steps 2-5, choosing a render output layer until all of the desired layers have been imported.
When this is complete, click Done on the import screen to stop importing files.
When your image sequences are in the Project list, you will need to create a Composition to house the
animation. Start a new composition (choose New Composition from the Composition menu). In this dia-
log box, set the frame width and height to match the image resolution (480×480 pixels in this case), set the
Frame Rate to 30, and the duration to 5 seconds. After you have created a new composition, you can place
the rendered frame sequences in the timeline directly or drag them onto the composition in the Project pane.
Choose Make Movie from the Composition menu, choose a file location, and click Render in the Render
Queue pane to render out your sequence as a movie.
After Effects
If you are new to Adobe After Effects, you can reference its short series of focused tutorials aimed at
getting you moving quickly in the program. Like this topic in general, these do not cover every feature
of the application but will give you targeted information that will allow you to use the aspects of the pro-
gram that are key to getting your job done and making it look good fast. These tutorials cover the basics
of navigating in After Effects as well as ways to import and compose rendered output channels to create
a nicely composed final animated sequence.
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