AE easy or hard?

[DVX100Shooter]

A friend of mine just got me AE to use on my MAC with FCP. Is it something that will take a long time to learn? Or can I do stuff as I learn similiar to how I learned FCP? He got it over in Japan where it only cost a few bucks...

[Caveman]

I guess that depends on a bunch of things. Adobe software always came easier to me than Apples but I've been working with Photoshop for like 7 years now. If you have any experience with PS that AE should come pretty easy. It would definitely be wise to get a starter book like classroom in a book or something just to get you going. I always take this approach with new software... O.K. this is what I want to do... now how do I do it. You can spend weeks going through all of the options but if you take it on with a specific task in mind you'll get there much quicker. IMHO its pretty easy but I still haven't figured out DVDSP2 so for what thats worth. If you run into any problems theres always this forum.... ;D CAVEMAN

[kai]

AE has somewhat of a steep learning curve (generally speaking). If you know photoshop (really know it), you're halfway there. Caveman made a good point, go get yourself some books. I recommend the Chris & Trish Meyer books. Can't go wrong and you'll be up to speed in no time.

[grinner]

The passion for it is what makes it easy. If thats not there no amount of time and no book will make much of a difference. You've seen these people not having fun at all and got into this business usually because their dad is in it or because they thought it would be glamorous to work in show biz. Meanwhile, to the majority of us, the thought of ever doing anything else for a living has never been a thought or an option. It's a very easy thing to learn for that bunch. Nothing can take the place of time in the chair man. You'll either become entrapped and push yourself or become overwhelmed and never touch it again. That said, hold off on buying the books until you know your hooked.

[Jay_Blanchard]

I disagree--pick up an easy, step-by-step tutorial (the Meyers' books are great) and get started. It's an incredibly intimidating program if you're just doing it from scratch without any guidance.

It takes a while to get masterful with AE (i've been using it for five years and I would still consider myself at an "amature" level), but once you get a basic understanding, it allows you to do some incredible things.

[kai]

Ditto. You can only "explore" so much before you get yourself frustrated.

[Dan_Lahav]

I just started AE a few months ago. Yes, it's a hard program and yes it takes a while to learn. I still consider myself an amateur, although I know significantly more than i used to. For me, the thing that helped the most was following tutorials online at creativecow and other such places... I think i have ADD b/c most of the books out there put me to sleep *:-/

[DVX100Shooter]

I have fallen asleep many of nights reading my FCP books I will tell you that! BUT When I was in a pinch and needed to know how to do something, I had them there! I don't see anything wrong getting a good AE book and using it for reference. Sometimes I have downtime at work where I could read a little bit. I rather be in front of the computer though! LOL!

[Jive]

Some people work better with books, others don't. Personally, I don't. So I usually just do the tutorial (if one is included with the program, which it was in AE 4), and go from there. But if you like books, get 'dem books! :)

[treborsallad]

Hi, Great site...I have found many solutions to my problems here.
I am a new user of AE and agree the learning curve is vast, I will be ordering some books on this programme.
How do you use the clone tool, I have painted out unwanted object, but every time something passes the cloned area, it wipes it out...can you fix the clone FX to only be active in each frame?

Any help would be useful.

[Guest]

I have read the feedback(s), and it's good advice. Here's my two cents from someone who's in the same boat as the "questioner" - someone who knows nothing about AE, and is planning on buying it.

1) Personally, start with a book. It's frustrating staring at a foreign/unfamiliar screen and not know where to start; not know what button to push to get started. BUT, you MUST have the passion to grow through trial and error. Many get frustrated if the book does not "spoon-feed" them. Practice, experiment, and develop calluses on your butt. So to speak...

2) Don't get just any book. Know what kind of book-learner you are. I for one do not care how "thorough" a computer software tutorial is if it has only written information; I'm a visual learner - and I need a book with lots of illustrations as to what I am to see and do on the screen.

Therefore...anyone know of any good AE tutorials that have lots of pictures? ;)

[kai]

once again, can't go wrong with the Meyer books...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1578201144/qid=1089347993/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2836723-6576607?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1578202078/qid=1089347993/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/103-2836723-6576607?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1578200776/qid=1089347993/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl14/103-2836723-6576607?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[abba]

if you have problems learning from books like I do do yourself a favor(though not a cheap one) and get the Total Training Dvd's @ this link..http://www.totaltraining.com they are very well made if you have a little money to burn...