After Effects Tutorials

When you open After Effects 7.0 right up, there’s no need to search for what’s new because it will be very apparent. The interface has changed
dramatically so we’ll start there.

New Interface

Overall a more cohesive interface. Window panels are scalable relative to other panels. Much more similar to professional editing software interface. Consistent toolbar runs along the top. Multiple view for when working in 3D. Easy drag and drop panel management.

New workspaces - Easily switch between default workspaces designed for optimal layout when working between say, animation, effects, motion tracking, paint, text, or undock (like AE6).

Cool keyboard shortcut: tilda key (just left of 1 key) will maximize the current panel you are viewing

Managing work paths - Adobe Bridge is good at managing your project assets. But, it’s a good idea to leave Adobe Bridge open because it takes such a long time to load when launching that if you might use it more than one in a day, then just don’t quit it.

HDR or 32-bit image processing - If possible, work with your projects in 8bit to save memory and processing and when ready for final render, bump it up to 32bit to see the much higher quality and larger range. Not all effects/ filter will work with 32bit.

Create Photoshop file direct in After Effects.

Lots more presets and effects direct in AE without plugins.

Better, more in depth graph editor.

Much better frame blending with pixel motion and time warp.

Lens blur and Smart blurs.

Export to Macromedia Flash Video.
So that provides a good overview of what’s new in After Effects 7.0. I’ll try to get into more detail about some of the above special features in future tips and tutorials.

For further detail of new features check Adobe’s features list