After Effects Part 3

Materials

After Effects

1. Other Transform Properties

1.1 Scale

Just as with the Position property, add two keyframes to the Scale property. In the video below, the keyframes are placed at the same time positions as those for the Position property. The first keyframe sets the scale to 100%, and the second keyframe sets it to 200%.

1.2 Rotation

In addition, add two keyframes for the rotation property. In the video below, the first keyframe is set to 0 degrees of rotation, and the second keyframe is set to 2 degrees of rotation.

1.3 Opacity

Add two keyframes for the opacity property. Place the first keyframe at a time position roughly halfway between the other keyframes. Place the second keyframe at the same time position as the second keyframe among the others. Set the opacity of the first keyframe to 100% and the opacity of the second keyframe to 0%.

1.4 Shortcuts for Displaying Properties

In After Effects, you adjust numerous properties for each of the many content layers. If you display all properties, the timeline becomes very long vertically, as shown in the figure below; therefore, shortcuts are provided to display only specific properties.

With a layer selected, pressing the shortcut key displays only the properties for that layer. Press the same key again to hide them.

a: Anchor point

p: Position

s: Scale

r: Rotation

t: Opacity

u: All properties with keyframes

u2 times: All properties whose values have been changed *Since the shape layer creates custom shapes, all properties related to shape and color are also opened

(References)

2. Easing (Speed Adjustment)

2.1 What Is Easing?

Instead of moving at a constant speed, you can vary the pace by gradually accelerating or slowing down.

In After Effects, there are three types of ease: Easy Ease, Easy Ease In, and Easy Ease Out, and you should choose the appropriate one depending on the situation. The figure below shows the effect applied to the middle keyframe of the three keyframes (Graph Editor view). Until you get the hang of it, start by using only Easy Ease to get a feel for it.

(References)

Let’s use easing to create natural animations! (This explanation is probably incorrect)
Video Guide - Types of After Effects Easing and How to Apply Them
fu-non - Adjusting Keyframe Speed Changes (Easing)

2.2 Applying Easing to Position Properties

I’ll remove the keyframes for the other properties, as they make it difficult to understand the animation’s state.

Right-click on ◆ to display the menu > Keyframe Assist > Easy Ease (F9 or fn+F9)

Key icons for each status.

If you apply Easy Ease Out after Easy Ease In, the result will be Easy Ease. The reverse procedure will also produce Easy Ease.

2.3 Easy-In (or Easy-Out) at the Starting Point

Graph Editor Status (For Reference Only)

2.4 Easy Ease (or Easy Ease-In) at the End

Graph Editor Status (For Reference Only)

2.5 Resetting the Easing (Restoring to Linear)

You can switch to Linear (◆ icon) by clicking the Cmd key.

Clicking the Cmd key while clicking on a Linear (◆ icon) changes it to an Auto Bézier (● icon).

2.6 Using the Graph Editor (Introduction Only)

To fine-tune the pacing of an animation, use the Graph Editor. Simply configuring the easing settings makes it much easier to manage via the UI.

3. Various Timeline Operations

You can display switches and information on the timeline, but since there is too much to show all at once, you can switch between views by pressing the button in the lower-left corner of the timeline (see below) to navigate.