You can sink the Titanic with it, but you don't have to. Filmmakers andTV-commercial directors have turned to Adobe After Effects for years tocreate sophisticated visual effects, but its fan club is rapidly expandingto include graphic designers who want to add motion graphics to their Websites. Adobe After Effects 5.0 Classroom in a Book takes theintimidation factor out of this moviemaking program without diminishing itspowerful potential. Developed by the experts at Adobe, this project-basedguide walks you through easy-to-follow lessons tested in the company's ownclassrooms.

Not assuming any prior After Effects knowledge, Adobe After Effects 5.0Classroom in a Book takes a building-block approach. The book isdesigned around one large and complex project that is broken down intomanageable lessons, each of which builds on topics covered in previoussections. The task-oriented format mimics a real-world work flow: Features,functions, and subjects are introduced as they come up during the course ofthe project. This edition of the book covers what's new and exciting inAfter Effects 5.0: 3D compositing, hierarchical layering, and powerfulanimation and masking enhancements. The accompanying cross-platform CDincludes all the files you need to complete the projects.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 10 Ratings

A decent place to start - 2001-11-25
Reviewer Rating:
This isn't the best book on After Effects available, but it is the best beginner book for learning AFX. Like all of Adobe's classroom in a book series, it starts at the basics and works towards more intermediate concepts. "Creating High Impact Motion Graphics" by Trish/Chris Meyer takes over from the intermediate stuff and takes the reader to and beyond the advanced parts of the program (without a doubt, the best book on AFX available -but too complex, and not intended for a beginner).

Anyway, back to this book, step by step instructions let you follow along at your own pace, and the CD-ROM provides you with the material. The book is not a reference book, and will only benefit you if you read it (ie. show up for the classes). But definately a good way to start learning After Effects.

Lacks variety in content - 2002-08-29
Reviewer Rating:
Disappointed with this text because of the single project through which this publication teaches After Effects. Compared to previous AE: Classroom in a Book books (earlier versions of After Effects) in which multiple creative projects unfolded as the learner used the tools, After Effects 5.0 teaches the program through one long project. The authors clearly guide the learner through important aspects of After Effects. However, if you are seeking a learn-and-do book that exposes you to a range of creative uses for After Effects, this book may be a disappointment.

Careful, complete introduction - 2003-04-16
Reviewer Rating:
Having written training material myself, I know how difficult it is to write for every contingency, considering everything a novice might do wrong. The authors of this book have done a great job at presenting instructions clearly and completely, so that even an absolute newbie at After Effects like myself can follow every lesson. Various checkpoints allow you to verify that you are on the right track. The lessons are very clear and easy to follow, and I appreciate the continuity in presenting an entire project throughout the book, so that I feel I am really accomplishing something. After just a few lessons, I feel that I am grasping what After Effects is all about.

In general, these series of books are a great way to get hands-on experience with highly technical products, and I recommend them enthusiastically.

after effects 5.0 - 2002-08-22
Reviewer Rating:
i have read all the other reviews. interesting points made by all who have taken the time to review. this is the 1st book i used to learn A.E. i had NO A.E. experiance and was out to expanding on my adobe premiere knowledge. so basicly i was coming in blind folded.

for the first 3 chapters i agree with that one review, "they should have called the book, freaking out in a book!" after the 3rd chapter things started becoming more clear. at first it seems that all your doing is clicking, right clicking and you don't really understand why your doing it? your basicly doing so just because the book said so. i wanted to learn after effects to enhance my DV work. wanted to create motion graphics in my videos.

if your absolutely new to after effects i would recomend this book to get you started. at the end of the book i was very comforatable in moving around in the program. i knew where everything was and what they did. i truly beleive those who really want to learn this complex program, "WILL" learn it. again, the beginning was frustrating BUT after about the 3rd chapter i started enjoying it. biggest thing is just to stick with it. read it, if you dont understand something, read it again until it sticks.

after your done this book and can move around fairly well in the program. i would THEN recomend trish and chris meyer's after effects book (creating motion graphics). after completing BOTH books you will be well on your way.

i ONLY rated this book 3 stars because the purpose of the book is to teach new comers how to use the software. at some points i found the book wondering off in to complex projects. EX: using motion cameras etc........ most beginners do NOT use motion cameras. you have to learn to crawl before you can walk!

all in all the book is an EXCELLENT way to get started. i do, however, feel that after completing the book a person must continue with their studies to fully understand after effects. there is just so much to know and do, classroom in a book does NOT cover everything.

hope the review helps someone!

AE Freakshow - 2002-02-06
Reviewer Rating:
The authors of After Effects Classroom in a book edition 5.5. unfortunately have lost themselves in showing some nice stuff AE5 is capable of. Doing so they have forgotten about the principal goal of the book, teaching peopple how to use AE5. In comparisson to CIB 3.1 the new book is very meager in really explaning what is done every step. They simply tell you the steps, yes, but they don't help in understanding them all. Freaking in a Book would be a good alternative title.

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