AE Book

Hkyplayr10

Hkyplayr10

Member
I'm looking for a book to help me learn After Effects. I have version 7. There is a book out called "Creating Motion Graphics using After effects" that I have heard is pretty good. Anybody have any advice?
 
It's really good but my favorite is...

AFTER EFFECTS STUDIO TECHNIQUES 6.5 by Mark Christiansen. Has real world examples and is based for TV, film, commercials more then motion graphics. Covers: tracking, keying, layering rain, light, explosions, fire, using expressions, rotoscoping, cinematography, camera moves and a thousand more usable, necessary, everyday things.

His AE 7 book comes out next month...
 
I prefer DVDs. I like the Total Training Series. I learned AE using these DVDs in the past (well, they got me started in the right direction). They've upped the ante with their new DVD series for 7.0. Not only do they have their normal beginner/intermediate stuff, but it looks like they shoud be discussing some more advanced stuff this time around. I just ordered them yesterday, so I don't know how good they are. But, based on all the dvds that I've gotten from them in the past, I am sure they will be great.

For me, there are two problems with books, when compared to DVDs. First off, they are slower to take in. And second, and more importantly, you can get lost in a book. They might not explain a step in enough detail in a book, and you might not be able to figure out what they are telling you to do. But, with a DVD, it is almost impossible to get lost, because you actually see them do every little step.
 
Hey MrPolarBear...

I am very interested in the DVD collection for Adobe Video Products (premier, AE, etc) at Total Training. So it is well worth the money?? I too have found books to be rather cumbersome to learn from when it comes to these software applications that have a million menus and buttons.

I am thinking of ordering their DVD's for AE6.5 standard and Premiere Pro 1.5... what do you think? Go for it??? :)
 
I have just bought Adobe's Classroom In A Book for AE7. Only just started working through it but it looks useful. I also have an old copy of Angie Taylor's Creative After Effects 5.0 which is one of the best software app books I've ever bought, albeit out of date now. In all cases take a look at Amazon (or whoever you prefer) where you'll see that there are a number of new books about to be released, in particular updates to some of the books mentioned by other posters here - including Angie Taylor's book.

Despite all this, I totally agree with MrPolarBare - video training is in my opinion considerably more effective than book based training. I'm just working my way through the Total Training for After Effects 7 'Essentials' DVD's and they are superb, if expensive (I have seen them on eBay for under £30 but I'm not sure that they're completely legit copies!).

One downside of DVD's is that you either need two screens and a fast machine or you need to run the DVD on one PC and AE on another so you can follow along with the tutorials. They don't work in a regular home DVD player.
 
GL2guy said:
I am very interested in the DVD collection for Adobe Video Products (premier, AE, etc) at Total Training. So it is well worth the money?? I too have found books to be rather cumbersome to learn from when it comes to these software applications that have a million menus and buttons.

I am thinking of ordering their DVD's for AE6.5 standard and Premiere Pro 1.5... what do you think? Go for it??? :)
Click to expand...
Yes, it is worth every $!

So yes, if you have the money go for it. You'll be glad you did! :)

And if you are going to order AE6.5 standard and Premiere Pro 1.5 i can also recommend Premiere Pro Tips & Tricks and Video Collection: Edit to Output.

EDIT:
Here is a official Total Training reseller on eBay that has better prices than Total Training: http://stores.ebay.com/Blue-Lantern-Training
 
Last edited:
I personally love books. I tried the Total Training for AE6 and learned alot. However im learning alot more reading books, doing tutorials. visiting creative cow.com. Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...f=pd_bbs_1/104-9800984-1049522?_encoding=UTF8 )is a great book to start with. I'm also getting Mark Christiansen's new "Adobe After Effects 7.0 Studio Techniques" to review. Can't wait! Lynda.com has some nice tutorials too. Also the AE Podcast at Creative Cow.

All in all AE takes a good a mount of time to learn. Find what works best for you. Its a program you really should use daily to get a feel for. I love AE 7 Pro and i am addicted to it!
 
just posted a thread for VIDEOCOPILOT.net
check it out

I prefer watching rather than reading.

Also, u can check out Lynda.com. (lynda.com costs but not that much)
 
ianstark said:
One downside of DVD's is that you either need two screens and a fast machine or you need to run the DVD on one PC and AE on another so you can follow along with the tutorials. They don't work in a regular home DVD player.
Click to expand...

I run the Total Training DVD's on my TV and follow along on my laptop. Works perfectly and has been tremendous in getting me up and running with AE. A big plus is watching on a 35" screen so I can see every little thing they do in the demonstrations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top