I really want to learn the After Effects program over this summer. What do you guys think would be the best way to do that. I have access to the program but i have never actually used it. Thanks.

I experimented a lot and finally understood what things did, and how they did them, then I bought a book on how to do more complicated things. After Effects isn't that hard to learn despite how intimidating it may look.

Once you learn the concept of keyframing (through reading and experimenting with it), you will be able to do a lot of stuff with it. Good luck.

Hi Broken Dreams,
I've just started getting into After Effects too. I was intersted in learning to render things like rain or fire or even smoke.

After a few experiments it really blew me away, especily the in-built partical generator. Now I understand its potental even if I dont understand the program LOL

There's a great book called something like "Creating Motion Graphics in After Effects" (I'm guessing) by (again guessing) Chris & Trish Meyer

Ha! That's the book I have. Excellent tool, helped me learn a lot about the program

Did I get it right? I read it like five years ago, I can't have gotten it right! If I got it right I have NO EXCUSE for forgetting to do all sorts of things anymore, and that will be bad.

I'm afraid you did get it right.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1578202493/qid=1110767899/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-5086635-0065712?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

ha. Our brains have wonderful capabilities.

I'm off to check my to-do list...

for bare bones beginners i still say you cant go wrong with the classroom in a book from adobe for after effects - i've seen some pretty dense people master the basics with that book. Cant be all that bad

Jeff, do you know where I can find that class room in a book?

sure! Here it is at journeyed:

http://www.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?T1=69583349N

You might be able to find it cheaper, take a look. Its more than likely available at your local barnes and noble or borders too, if you dont want to wait for it to ship Good luck w/ it, and if you have Q's, you know what board to turn to!

i'm wondering if there are any online sites that help teach you how to use after effects.