After Affects 2026
Advanced Training Course
This course is aimed at existing After Effects users who need to take their motion graphics and effects compositing game to a higher level.
The class covers topics such as advanced Compositing, Keying Techniques, Particle Simulation, advanced Masking, Rotoscoping, Puppet Tools, advanced Color Correction, and more.
What's Included
- Certificate of Course Completion
- Training Manual
- FREE Class Repeat (valid for 6 months)
2 Days
$700.00
Live face-to-face training
No minimum class size - all classes guaranteed to run!
Students should have already completed our Fundamentals class or have equivalent experience. Training available on both Mac and PC platforms.
View our full range of After Effects training courses, or see below for the detailed outline for After Effects Advanced.
Detailed Course Outline
Build a strong foundation in expressions to automate animation, create smarter rigs, and solve complex motion problems.
- What expressions are and why they matter
- Expressions versus keyframes and when to use each
- Understanding expressions as a logic layer, not just code
- Reading and modifying expressions safely
- Common expression structures and syntax
- Using expressions to link properties across layers
- Using expressions to reduce manual animation
Combine 2D and 3D techniques in complex projects.
- Review of 3D fundamentals
- Classic 3D versus modern 3D workflows
- Navigating 3D features across the interface
- Advanced 2D/3D workflows
- Building structured 3D scenes
- Managing multiple cameras
Create cinematic camera and object motion.
- Understanding parallax
- Fly-through animation techniques
- Enhancing motion using expressions
- Using particle effects for depth
- Building complex movement step-by-step
Design reusable camera rigs for complex animation.
- Understanding camera rigging concepts
- Building custom camera rigs
- Solving motion and gimbal issues
- Cinematic movement examples
- Dynamic parallax animation
Attach elements convincingly to moving footage.
- Understanding tracking types
- Point tracking, mask tracking, and planar tracking
- 3D camera tracking workflows
- Lighting considerations for tracked scenes
- Optional face tracking overview
Understand color management and chroma keying.
- Color fundamentals in After Effects
- Working color spaces including Rec.709, Rec.2020, HDR
- Color matching techniques
- Chroma keying fundamentals using Keylight
- Refining and repairing difficult keys
- Multi-pass keying workflows
Use artificial intelligence and language models to accelerate After Effects work.
- What AI is and is not in After Effects
- Understanding expressions as a scripting language
- Using AI to generate and troubleshoot expressions
- Introduction to local LLMs for motion designers
- Using LM Studio and Kobold for offline expression assists
- Prompting strategies for animation logic
- Ethics, accuracy, and verification of AI-generated code
Create complex procedural animations.
- Advanced shape grouping and management
- Repeater-based animation systems
- Merge paths, trim paths, offset paths, and wiggle, etc
- Combining expressions with shape layers
- Converting Illustrator artwork into procedural animation
Create atmospheric and simulation-based effects.
- Understanding simulation effects in After Effects
- Built-in particle systems and workflows
- 2D versus 3D particle approaches
- Integrating third-party particle tools
- Creating glow and lighting effects
Integrate After Effects into professional pipelines.
- After Effects with Illustrator
- After Effects with Premiere Pro
- After Effects with Photoshop and InDesign
- Interchange with non-Adobe applications
- Pipeline considerations for production teams
Our outlines are a guide to the content covered in a typical class. We may change or alter the course topics to meet the objectives of a particular class.
