After Effects: Using Expressions
3h 3mIntermediate2023-07-18
Authors
Luisa Winters
Certified Instructor for Adobe and Apple
Course details
Expressions are one of the most powerful features available in Adobe After Effects. They allow you to modify the values of properties and variables using lines of code instead of keyframes. In this course, learn how to use expressions like a pro—working with them cleaner and faster than other traditional animation techniques. Join instructor Luisa Winters as she shows you how to add and edit expressions; change dimensions such as rate, value, and music amplitude; and use variables to assign and change values globally. Along the way, find out how to use the After Effects Expression Language menu and introduce randomness into expressions to optimize your creative possibilities. By the end of this course, you’ll be prepared to start wielding a wide range of other expressions, too, including delay adjustments, frequency, decay, bounce, the toComp expression, and much more.
Skills covered
Motion GraphicsAfter EffectsRenderingMotion Graphics and VFXVisualization and Real-TimeAdobeAECProduct and ManufacturingAnimation and IllustrationDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - What you will learn
- 02 - Using the exercise files
1. What Are Expressions
- 03 - Things to keep in mind when adding expressions
- 04 - Adding expressions
- 05 - Commenting expressions
- 06 - Editing expressions manually
- 07 - Pick-whipping expressions
- 08 - Modifying an expression you did not create
2. Expression Dimensions
- 09 - Changing the rate of an expression
- 10 - Changing the value of an expression
- 11 - Wiggle expression
- 12 - Music amplitude
- 13 - Expression controls
- 14 - Convert an expression to keyframes
- 15 - Posting an expression graph with a visible expression editor
3. Variables
- 16 - Variables and arrays
- 17 - Elements of an array
- 18 - Using simple variables to adjust just one dimension
- 19 - Controlling minimum and maximum return values
4. Expression Language Menu
- 20 - Using the playhead for control
- 21 - Ease expressions
- 22 - More wiggle
- 23 - JavaScript math
- 24 - Loops
5. Using Expressions to Create Dynamic MOGRTs
- 25 - Turning layers on and off
- 26 - Dynamically positioning text on the lower-third
- 27 - Dynamically changing the size of the font
- 28 - Restricting users to three fonts
- 29 - Using multiple lines of text dynamically
- 30 - Changing designs by using a slider
6. Other Expressions
- 31 - Random values
- 32 - Delay
- 33 - Amplitude, frequency, and decay
- 34 - Bounce
- 35 - toComp expression
Conclusion
- 36 - Next steps