After Effects Advanced
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- Live or Self-paced
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Book live on Noble DesktopSummary
Unlock the power of Adobe After Effects in this comprehensive, advanced animation course. Dive into shape layer animation, harness the power of the graph editor, and explore the expansive capabilities of After Effects' 3D features. You’ll also master dynamic text animations, bringing your projects to life with a professional touch.
This hands-on course will guide you through real-world projects, ensuring you gain practical experience and a thorough understanding of advanced animation workflows. You’ll learn to create animations, utilize expressions and scripts to accelerate your workflow, and work with masks and track mattes to enhance the style of your projects.
By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills to craft sophisticated animations, enhancing your motion graphics and compositing prowess from start to finish. Whether you're looking to elevate your current projects or take on new creative challenges, this advanced After Effects course will equip you with the expertise needed to excel.
Prerequisites
Participants should be comfortable with the basics of After Effects equivalent to our After Effects Bootcamp
Curriculum
What you'll learn
- Work with 3D layers, cameras, and lights to create dynamic scenes
- Create and animate custom shape layers using the Pen tool
- Develop advanced text animations and save presets for future use
- Optimize animations with expressions and wire parameters for complexity
- Enhance audio integration by adding markers and applying audio effects
Course syllabus
Working with 3D in After Effects
- Working with Layers in 3D Space
- Creating & Animating Camera & Light Layers
Working with Shape Layers
- Creating & Formatting Shape Layers
- Creating Custom Shape Layers with the Pen Tool
- Editing Shape Layer Vertices
- Working with Shape Layer Effects (Pucker & Bloat, Repeater, Etc.)
Advanced Text Animation
- Animating Text as a Graphic
- Working with Dingbat Fonts
- Creating Custom Text Animators & Saving Presets
Creating Custom Easing with the Graph Editor
- Using the Graph Editor
Animating with Effects
- Using Effects
Optimizing Animations with Expressions
- Adding Expressions to Properties
- Creating More Complex Expressions
- Wiring Parameters with Expressions
Beyond Position Keyframes
- Using the Motion Sketch Panel to Capture Motion
- Using the Smoother Panel to Soften Movement
- Using the Nulls to Paths Panel
Working with Audio
- Adding Markers to Audio
- Working with Audio Effects
- Generating Keyframes from Audio Layers
What's included
- Adobe After Effects (1 month)
- Free course retake within one year to refresh the material and gain practice.
- Course workbook
- Class recordings
Stated by the provider. Confirm what your tuition covers before enrolling.
Live classes
Choose dates and book your instructor-led class on nobledesktop.com.
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In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EDT); final session ends at 17:00 EDT
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In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EST); final session ends at 17:00 EST
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In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EST); final session ends at 17:00 EST
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In-person or live online
Starts at 18:00 · America/New_York (EST/EDT); final session ends at 21:00 EDT
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In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EDT); final session ends at 17:00 EDT
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In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EDT); final session ends at 17:00 EDT
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In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EDT); final session ends at 17:00 EDT
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–
In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EDT); final session ends at 17:00 EDT
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In-person or live online
Starts at 10:00 · America/New_York (EST); final session ends at 17:00 EST
Confirm current dates and availability on Noble Desktop before booking.
Self-paced course
Learn through recorded lessons on your own schedule.
This course is available for 30 days. You can choose when to start your access period. Once you activate, you will have 30 days to complete it (access the course materials, quizzes, projects and videos). You may request one extension of seven (7) days. Other extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Videos are not downloadable.
- Tuition
- $975
- Course length
- 18 hours
- Schedule
- On your schedule
Master Adobe After Effects at your own pace in this advanced, self-paced course. Learn shape layer animation, dynamic text effects, and 3D workflows while exploring the graph editor, expressions, scripts, masks, and track mattes. Gain hands-on experience through real-world projects that enhance your motion graphics and compositing skills.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to create professional, sophisticated animations from start to finish, bringing your projects to life with polished, dynamic effects. Ideal for those looking to elevate current work or tackle new creative challenges in motion graphics.
Self-paced prerequisites
Participants should be comfortable with the basics of After Effects equivalent to our After Effects Bootcamp
Self-paced curriculum
What you'll learn self-paced
- Work with 3D layers, cameras, and lights to create dynamic scenes
- Create and animate custom shape layers using the Pen tool
- Develop advanced text animations and save presets for future use
- Optimize animations with expressions and wire parameters for complexity
- Enhance audio integration by adding markers and applying audio effects
Self-paced syllabus
Working with 3D in After Effects
- Working with Layers in 3D Space
- Creating & Animating Camera & Light Layers
Working with Shape Layers
- Creating & Formatting Shape Layers
- Creating Custom Shape Layers with the Pen Tool
- Editing Shape Layer Vertices
- Working with Shape Layer Effects (Pucker & Bloat, Repeater, Etc.)
Advanced Text Animation
- Animating Text as a Graphic
- Working with Dingbat Fonts
- Creating Custom Text Animators & Saving Presets
Creating Custom Easing with the Graph Editor
- Using the Graph Editor
Animating with Effects
- Using Effects
Optimizing Animations with Expressions
- Adding Expressions to Properties
- Creating More Complex Expressions
- Wiring Parameters with Expressions
Beyond Position Keyframes
- Using the Motion Sketch Panel to Capture Motion
- Using the Smoother Panel to Soften Movement
- Using the Nulls to Paths Panel
Working with Audio
- Adding Markers to Audio
- Working with Audio Effects
- Generating Keyframes from Audio Layers
What's included with self-paced
- Adobe After Effects (1 month)
- Course workbook
- Self-paced video lessons
Self-paced lessons
Watch free previews and explore the lessons included with enrollment at Noble Desktop.
After Effects Advanced (Self-Paced)
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Intro to 3D
Lesson 1: Intro to 3D
10:00
Learn how to create a foundational 3D scene in Adobe After Effects by importing vector layers from Illustrator, arranging them in 3D space, and preparing the workspace for animation. Discover key setup tips like composition settings, workspace resets, and best practices for scaling and importing layered files.
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Creating Lights & Animating in 3D
Lesson 1: Intro to 3D
10:00
Explore how to add realism to your 3D compositions with lighting and shadows. Understand the different types of After Effects lights, and master how to control shadow properties, diffusion, and color to enhance depth and visual appeal.
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Enrollment required
Animating Layers in 3D
Lesson 1: Intro to 3D
13:26
Animate sea life elements within a 3D underwater environment using keyframes and depth of field. Learn how to synchronize camera movement with animated layers for natural timing and achieve cinematic focus effects that create depth and immersion.
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Enrollment required
Working with Nested Compositions
Lesson 2: Working with Nested Compositions
17:03
Master the concept of nested and pre-compositions to create reusable, modular animation setups. Build a dynamic photo collage project that leverages Photoshop files, track mattes, and timeline management for efficient, scalable animation workflows.
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Enrollment required
Working with Static 3D Models
Lesson 3: Working with 3D Models
14:53
Gain hands-on experience importing and positioning 3D models in After Effects using the Advanced 3D Renderer. Learn to adjust local and world axis modes, organize 3D assets, and manipulate objects with precision for visually compelling compositions.
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Enrollment required
Working with Embedded Animation
Lesson 3: Working with 3D Models
10:16
Unlock the power of embedded animation within imported 3D models. Discover how to loop, rename, and time-remap 3D layers to extend animation sequences seamlessly, transforming static scenes into dynamic, motion-rich experiences.
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Enrollment required
Easing with the Graph Editor Value Graph
Lesson 4: Easing with the Graph Editor
12:25
Create professional-quality motion by mastering the value graph in After Effects’ Graph Editor. Learn to separate position dimensions, add keyframes, and fine-tune motion curves to design natural, expressive bounce and easing effects.
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Easing with the Graph Editor Speed Graph
Lesson 4: Easing with the Graph Editor
9:44
Refine your animations using the speed graph to achieve realistic acceleration and deceleration. Explore keyframe adjustments, handle controls, and influence curves to craft movement that feels smooth, dynamic, and intentional.
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Introduction to Expressions loopOut()
Lesson 5: Introduction to Expressions
10:00
Automate your animations with the loopOut() expression in After Effects. Learn how to apply this JavaScript-based expression to repeat motion seamlessly, explore different loop types like pingpong, and simplify your keyframe management for efficiency.
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Enrollment required
Introduction to Expressions wiggle()
Lesson 5: Introduction to Expressions
4:27
Add natural, organic movement to your projects using the wiggle() expression. Control frequency and amplitude to simulate realistic shaking, floating, or vibrating effects, and learn how to apply expressions efficiently across multiple layers.
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Enrollment required
Introduction to Expressions random()
Lesson 5: Introduction to Expressions
5:43
Discover how to use the random() expression to create dynamic, unpredictable movement in After Effects. Learn to control minimum and maximum values, use posterizeTime to manage playback speed, and build natural, varied animation for objects like dials and gauges.
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Animating Imported Vector Layers
Lesson 6: Working with Vector and Shape Layers
10:00
Animate imported Illustrator graphics by applying effects such as CC Sphere to create 3D illusions. Explore shading, lighting, and precomposing techniques that transform flat vector maps into detailed, rotating globe animations.
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Enrollment required
Converting Vectors to AE Shapes
Lesson 6: Working with Vector and Shape Layers
12:16
Convert imported vector layers into live shape layers to unlock exclusive shape-layer effects. Learn how to organize precomps, rename shapes efficiently, and prepare Illustrator assets for advanced animation and customization.
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Enrollment required
Shape Layers Converting, Animating & Duplicating
Lesson 6: Working with Vector and Shape Layers
14:38
Build dynamic bar graph animations by converting Illustrator elements to shape layers. Practice setting anchor points, scaling from precise pivots, and duplicating shapes to streamline repetitive motion design tasks.
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Enrollment required
Shape Layers Repeater Effect
Lesson 6: Working with Vector and Shape Layers
13:34
Create complex animations with minimal effort using the Repeater effect. Trace and replicate geometric patterns like equalizer bars, adjust stroke and fill settings, and leverage guide layers for clean, efficient design.
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Shape Layers Converting & Repeating Shapes
Lesson 6: Working with Vector and Shape Layers
9:13
Bring static designs to life by converting simple vector lines into animated, repeating shapes. Control opacity, copies, and timing in the Repeater to create rhythmic, looping patterns that add motion and energy to your HUD designs.
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Enrollment required
Shape Layers Troubleshooting Converted Shapes
Lesson 6: Working with Vector and Shape Layers
14:48
Troubleshoot problems that arise when converting Illustrator or EPS files to shape layers. Understand common issues such as excessive shape groups, misalignment, and performance lag, and learn practical solutions for clean, efficient animation.
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Enrollment required
Shape Layers Copy & Paste Motion Paths
Lesson 6: Working with Vector and Shape Layers
19:22
Learn a professional shortcut for animating objects along custom paths by copying Illustrator vector paths and pasting them as position keyframes in After Effects. Adjust timing, alignment, and roving keyframes to synchronize elements with precision.
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Enrollment required
Text Animation Creating a Circle Graphic
Lesson 7: Text Animation Basics
13:33
Design animated circular charts and graphs using text as a graphical element. Combine precomps, guide layers, and shape tools to construct scalable, organized compositions that can be animated seamlessly.
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Enrollment required
Text Animation Using Text as a Graphic
Lesson 7: Text Animation Basics
16:30
Use text as a powerful visual tool by creating animated patterns with dingbat and symbol fonts like Wingdings. Learn to apply text-on-path techniques, adjust margins and tracking, and transform simple characters into motion-rich circular graphics.
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Enrollment required
Text Animation Animating Text Dynamically
Lesson 7: Text Animation Basics
13:32
Automate changing text values in After Effects using expressions and sliders. Learn how to connect source text to animated properties, round numerical values, and create looping counters that update seamlessly for dashboards or infographics.
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Enrollment required
Text Animation Using Character Offset
Lesson 8: Advanced Text Animation
7:55
Explore the Character Offset animator to shift and animate text characters with precision. Master how to use range selectors, indexes, and line-based offsets to create dynamic, glitch-like or numerical text animations with full creative control.
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Enrollment required
Text Animation Saving and Applying a Preset
Lesson 8: Advanced Text Animation
5:37
Streamline your workflow by saving and reusing custom text animators as presets. Learn how to export animation presets properly, organize them in the After Effects User Presets folder, and reapply them across multiple projects with consistent results.
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Text Animation Animating with Range Selector Shape
Lesson 8: Advanced Text Animation
10:00
Create flowing, sequential text animations using the Range Selector’s shape options. Discover how to animate opacity and control movement across text layers to build marquee-like lighting effects for HUDs and futuristic motion graphics.
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Enrollment required
Text Animation Creating a Grid
Lesson 8: Advanced Text Animation
3:57
Build dynamic background grids directly in After Effects using the Grid effect. Adjust cell size, thickness, and feathering to create stylized motion graphics backgrounds, and learn to animate grids for subtle movement and visual texture.
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Enrollment required
Unfurl Animation
Lesson 9: Unfurl Animation
16:52
Animate layered images to peel or unfold using the CC Page Turn effect. Control the direction, timing, and offset of multiple elements for realistic unfurling motion, perfect for stylized transitions or paper-like animations.
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Working with Particle Systems
Lesson 10: Working with Particle Systems
10:00
Design fire, smoke, or flame trails using After Effects’ built-in Particle System II. Control birth rate, gravity, direction, and lifespan to create believable motion effects like rocket exhaust or environmental particle simulations.
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Using Video as Track Mattes Alpha
Lesson 11: Using Video as Track Mattes
8:18
Harness alpha mattes to blend videos and control visibility using transparency. Learn how to key out green screen footage, apply it as a mask, and animate both matte and background layers for professional compositing.
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Enrollment required
Using Video as Track Mattes Luma
Lesson 11: Using Video as Track Mattes
9:36
Create complex composites by using luminance values to drive transparency. Adjust contrast, use thresholds, and pre-compose footage to build artistic effects where light and dark areas define visible regions of your composition.
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Enrollment required
Creating Realistic Motion Motion Sketch
Lesson 12: Creating Realistic Motion
8:25
Capture organic, hand-drawn motion using the Motion Sketch tool. Draw movement directly with your mouse or stylus to record keyframes, adjust smoothing and capture speed, and create realistic paths for objects like rockets or planets.
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Enrollment required
Creating Realistic Motion Trace Path
Lesson 12: Creating Realistic Motion
12:08
Create smooth, organic animation paths using After Effects’ Trace Path and Null system. Learn how to generate motion from shape layers, parent objects like rockets to follow dynamic curves, and enhance realism with trim paths, expressions, and subtle motion adjustments.
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