demobook

Importing assets into After Effects

Demo summary

The instructor demonstrates how to double-click the project panel to browse local files and drag an image into the timeline to begin a project.

Step-by-step

  1. Double-click inside the Project panel to open your local file browser
  2. Select the image or file you wish to import
  3. Locate the imported file within the Project panel list
  4. Drag the file from the Project panel into the timeline section to add it to your scene

Watch out for

  • Importing a file to the Project panel does not automatically add it to your animation or scene

Tips

  • Think of the Project panel as a host or list of files that you can access at any point while working

All demos from “How To Use After Effects: Beginner to Pro Full 2025 Guide

  1. 3:001:22Importing assets into After EffectsCurrentThe instructor demonstrates how to double-click the project panel to browse local files and drag an image into the timeline to begin a project.After EffectsAI Video Editor
  2. 4:502:58Creating a new compositionA walkthrough of setting up a custom composition in After Effects, including naming, resolution (1920x1080), frame rate, and duration settings.After EffectsAI Video Editor
  3. 13:092:32Animating position with keyframesA demonstration of setting start and end keyframes for the position property to create a vertical movement animation for a shape.After EffectsAI Motion Graphics
  4. 26:550:47Applying a Track MatteThe instructor demonstrates how to use the Track Matte function to mask a moving pattern layer into the shape of a text layer.After EffectsAI Motion Graphics
  5. 27:481:25Applying and duplicating effectsThe instructor searches for 'Brightness and Contrast' in the Effects & Presets panel, applies it to a layer, and duplicates the effect to increase intensity.After EffectsAI Video Editor
  6. 29:502:14Pre-composing layers for unified scalingA demonstration of selecting multiple layers and using the Pre-compose command to group them, allowing for a single scale animation across all elements.After EffectsAI Video Editor
  7. 33:251:40Creating a Gradient Ramp backgroundThe instructor creates a new Solid layer and applies the Gradient Ramp effect, customizing the start and end colors to create a red-to-black background.After EffectsAI Motion Graphics
  8. 36:153:59Advanced easing with the Graph EditorThe instructor demonstrates applying Easy Ease to rotation keyframes and then manually adjusting the speed curves in the Graph Editor for a custom motion feel.After EffectsAI Motion Graphics
  9. 44:111:17Using Layer Blending ModesThe instructor shows how to toggle the switches/modes panel and change a layer's blending mode to 'Saturation' or 'Luminosity' to blend textures with the background.After EffectsAI Photo Editor
  10. 50:342:21Manual masking for staggered text animationThe instructor uses the Rectangle tool to create masks on duplicated text layers, isolating individual words to stagger their entrance animations.After EffectsAI Motion Graphics
  11. 56:581:48Exporting with Adobe Media EncoderA walkthrough of sending a composition to the Adobe Media Encoder queue, adjusting VBR bit rate settings, and rendering the final video file.Adobe AuditionAI Video Editor
  12. Watch “How To Use After Effects: Beginner to Pro Full 2025 Guide” →

AI Video Editor

  1. 6:522:05Remove backgrounds with native Unmult effectShows the new native Unmult effect in After Effects being used to remove black or white backgrounds from fire and ink footage while preserving color fidelity.Jake In Motion
  2. 3:120:29Animate cinematic focus blursThe creator demonstrates adding rectangle masks to an adjustment layer and using a wiggle expression on the maximum blur value to simulate a flickering cinematic focus.SonduckFilm
  3. 8:460:22Create animated counters and timersThe demo shows how to apply currency, timer, or percentage counters to a text layer and adjust keyframes for start and end values.SonduckFilm
  4. 0:100:20Exporting ProRes HQ footage from After EffectsThe creator demonstrates how to configure the Render Queue in After Effects, setting the format to QuickTime and the codec to ProRes HQ for high-quality export.Ease4K
  5. 4:450:36Managing layer stack and visibilityThe instructor demonstrates how dragging layers in the After Effects timeline changes their visibility and stacking order in the composition viewer.Adobe Video
  6. 27:130:37Using Toggle Hold KeyframesThe instructor demonstrates converting linear keyframes to hold keyframes to create a jerky, stop-motion style movement for a texture layer.Adobe Video
  7. 33:380:39Adjusting anchor points with the Pan Behind toolThe video shows how to use the Pan Behind (Anchor Point) tool to move a layer's center point so it scales from a specific location.Adobe Video
  8. 36:330:13Applying blending modes to videoThe instructor demonstrates changing a video layer's blending mode to 'Screen' to make black pixels transparent for a steam effect.Adobe Video
  9. 36:560:27Drawing a mask with the Rectangle toolThe demo shows selecting a video layer and drawing a rectangle to mask out unwanted edges of the footage.Adobe Video
  10. 38:390:27Parenting layers with the Pick WhipThe instructor uses the pick whip tool to parent a steam video layer to a teacup image so they move together.Adobe Video
  11. 42:170:29Applying the Typewriter text presetThe video shows searching for the 'Typewriter' preset and applying it to a text layer to automate character reveal.Adobe Video
  12. 1:00:490:53Adding a Fill effect to a duplicate layerThe demo shows duplicating a pre-composition and applying the 'Fill' effect to create a colored offset accent for text.Adobe Video