Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Working with Photoshop and Illustrator Files
One advantage of After Effects, among many, is its close relationship to
Adobe's other leading graphics production applications: Photoshop and
Illustrator. The integration of these three programs comprises a powerful,
diverse toolset that builds upon one another. Images created in Photoshop and
Illustrator can be imported as Compositions, fully prepared with all their
separate layers to be animated. This can save hours of import work because
the layout is already prepared - all that's left to add is your design touch.
Many artists and animators prefer to 'design in Photoshop/Illustrator - finish in
After Effects'. They work this way because each of these programs is the best
at their core mission: Photoshop for bitmap image editing and Illustrator for
vector graphics - while After Effects is best in bringing these files to life.
This section will discuss some unique capabilities of the Photoshop and
Illustrator imported Comp. We'll also examine how 3D Cameras, Lights, and
Layers combined with Parenting to Nulls can create dynamic visuals with depth
and impact.
Photoshop Document Import - File Preparation
If you follow the Photoshop-to-After Effects workflow, take this advice to heart:
unlike the print world, dpi has no relevance to digital video.
Work exclusively
in absolute pixel count.
At 72 or 2400 dpi, an
800
600 pixel file is
always the same file size.
But this does not mean that
you should work solely in
the image size you'll be
rendering your project.
Au contraire
- if you create
your Photoshop canvas at a
larger size than you intend
to render, you are provided
with more flexibility as to
how your file will translate
