Adobe After Effects Review for 2024

Adobe After Effects Review

Make cinematic films, movies, intros, and transitions. Delete people from clips. Start fires or create a foggy weather. With Adobe After Effects, the industry-standard motion graphics and visual effects software, you are able to take any idea and make it come to life. Animate titles, credits, and lower thirds. Begin editing from scratch or with presets available. Combine photos and video footage to create anything you can think of.

Choose amazing effects from hundreds of options, remove unwanted parts from the frame, people or objects, and make VR videos to push your audience into the action. This software lets professionals configure keyframes, allow them to create compositing operations. Features of Adobe After Effects include a content library, digital asset management, video rendering, data import/export, and much more. In this article we will give you a brief overview of what After Effects is, what it’s used for and by who and the overall experience!

With that said, let’s get started!

1. Speed and Stability

When talking about speed and stability, After Effects has the latest release packed with improvements. All the developers have focused themselves on speed and also performance. The team at Adobe have worked very hard to make this application more responsive and when we go along in this article, that can be seen in many ways

The main improvement which is immediately clear to all users, is the renewed preview playback optimization. What we noticed is that After Effects is creating the ram preview for your projects a lot faster. However, while working with the software for this article, we did find the user interface to be more responsive, the playback is way smoother, so is it a lot more stable overall.

While using shape layers, there was a significant improvement. A few expressions are a lot faster. This alone is worth upgrading to the latest version of After Effects.

2. User Interface

The After Effects interface is constructed up of four main parts. The Timeline panel, the Project panel, the Composition panel and the Effects panel.

The Timeline Panel

In the Timeline panel, you edit all the footage and clips to create your rough cut. You can find the Timeline panel on the bottom of the workspace.

The Project Panel

It’s pretty straightforward that in the Project panel you import your footage and create your project. This is located on the top left of the standard After Effects workspace.

The Composition Panel

The Composition panel is where you will see the final product. This is located in the middle of your workspace.

The Effects Panel

In order to make creative changes to your video, use the preview, audio, effects, and Preset Panels. These panels are located on the upper right area of your workspace, each one also has its dropdown.

3. Learning Curve

The learning curve for After Effects depends on your background, the best way to find out if you like it is starting a free trial. Go through some tutorials online or paid courses. You’ll also want to spend time with the User Guide. The Search Help field in the top right corner provides you an easier search for answers to most questions that you have. Speaking of YouTube and online learning, most of the video tutorials you will find have been created by people that are experienced in After Effects and know their way around it.

4. VFX

There’s a time-period when video editors require strengthening their skills, calling it imperative software for improving editing skills is nowhere near an exaggeration. it really helps prospective professionals improve their learning experience through visual effects, camera tracking, text animation, motion tracking, color grading, etc. All of these methodologies do help in improving the VFX learning process in the long run.

Video editing happens to be a crucial part of film production. Making videos in a fantastic process can indulge in building professional videos via motion graphics animation. This is where Adobe After Effects become an excellent learning tool.

5. Motion Graphics

Motion graphics can sound quite scary. It’s a new term for a specific genre of animation. Motion graphics is the intersection between animation and graphic design. These are purpose-driven visual aspects with the goal of showing information to the viewer through the use of animated graphics or text. Sometimes they include voice-overs narrating what the text or graphics are showing. Where it gets a little complex is that the more popular the term motion graphics becomes, the more people are misaligning animations to it. They need to represent information and illustrate the idea to the viewer clearly, so they do that using animation and motion graphics.

6. Titles and Outros

Adobe released a new combination of features for you. For Adobe Stock: Graphics templates. Those pre-made templates give you a super smooth way to discover new motion graphics within Premiere Pro, without needing to spend time creating titles, overlays, or animations from scratch. The world has digitalized, and videos often need visual aspects such as titles, lower thirds, to present information. The templates not only assist video editors increase the quality of the content by showing certain information, but they also give a strong visual touch to keep the viewer engaged throughout the video. The audience nowadays is a lot more sophisticated, meaning that motion graphics are a necessity in a driven media world.

Motion Graphics templates are valuable for video editors of all levels. For the beginning content creators, the templates offer great quality, ready-made footage to help their creative goal. They can explore and work on their skills. Motion graphics that are pre-made are an excellent way to express the vision and express inspiration to new opportunities.

So now that you are aware of what After Effects templates are, we can move on to the actual workflow, why it is important, and how to use it as efficient as possible.

7. Workflow

Whether you are using Adobe After Effects to create motion graphics, or composite realistic visuals, you usually follow the same workflow, you may repeat the process of adjusting layer properties, editing, and compositing until everything looks good. You can change any property of any element, such as position, opacity and size. Make use of motion tracking to stabilize footage so that it follows the motion from another clip, and so much more!

8. Rendering Speed

When it comes to exporting your project in After Effects, you don’t need to buy an expensive workstation. You can speed up your rendering process from your own laptop without investing too much and by using the following tips we have for you below!

Tip #1: Enable Multiprocessing

What exactly is multiprocessing? That is when After Effects uses multiple cores from your CPU to export multiple frames at once. If your processor has one or more cores, you can enable this feature to reduce your rendering time. We want to mention that you need to check whether or not this option is turned on. Once enabled, you’ll see a great decrease in export time.

To enable Multiprocessing, navigate to Preferences > Memory & Multiprocessing. Then you click the check box next to ‘Render Multiple Frames Simultaneously’ and remember also to adjust the settings that you need.

Tip #2: Optimize Your RAM Usage

The RAM memory inside your workstation can be used to write and read data at a lot higher speeds than regular hard drives and portable drives. Configuring your RAM in a system is one of the easiest upgrades for better performance. Giving you affordable solutions for both desktop and laptop systems, the RAM memory upgrade does not require a lot of knowledge. The more RAM you allow applications to use, the higher the performance you will get out of it.

It also shows a noticeable increase in rendering speed. When the export time in your work is longer than needed, look at your RAM memory and see if you can make the necessary changes or upgrades.

Tip #3: Use the Media Encoder

Let’s talk about the Media Encoder. It’s the software that comes up with Adobe Creative Cloud products such as After Effects and Premiere Pro to simplify the export process. You can easily render your project from After Effects to Adobe Media Encoder and begin the project render process from that point on. The Media Encoder will increase your rendering performance and will significantly decrease rendering time.

Tip #4: Disable Ray-Traced 3D

The included After Effects Ray-Traced 3D feature enables you to produce 3D models within After Effects without any struggle. Calculating all the motions and visual graphics is such a heavy process for your workstation. When you disable raytracing, you will get a faster export time. By looking that ‘Classic 3D’ is checked instead of ‘Ray-Traced 3D’ from your composition preferences, you can speed your rendering speed up to 50%. Isn’t that incredible?

Tip #5: Activate GPU Exporting with Cuda Acceleration

Exporting your videos with GPU rather than CPU will increase the efficiency of your render process. The export length will decrease a whole lot when you activate Mercury GPU Acceleration, also known as ‘CUDA’ from the ‘Project Settings’.

After Effects doesn’t really require CUDA features from a special kind of Nvidia GPU. Only the GPU accelerated 3D renderer, that is based on the raytracing algorithm, requires that. The other GPU features are running on any GPU that meets the basic minimums, including Intel and AMD GPUs.

9. System Requirements for Windows

These are the minimum specifications needed to use After Effects on PC:

OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) versions 1909 and later, or Windows 11

CPU: Intel or AMD Quad-Core Processor (Intel i5 and i7 will do the job)

RAM: 16 GB

Monitor resolution: 1280 x 1080

An internet connection

Free storage: 15 GB

GPU: Minimum 2 GB of VRAM

10. System Requirements for macOS

OS: macOS 10.13 or later

RAM: 16 GB

CPU: Intel and Apple Silicon (Rosetta2 Supported) Quad-Core Processor

GPU: 2GB of VRAM

Monitor resolution: 1440×900

Free storage: 15 GB

An internet connection

11. Keyboard Shortcuts

You can work visually when you configure your keyboard shortcuts with the visual keyboard shortcut editor within After Effects. You can use the keyboard user interface to show the keys that have been assigned to shortcuts, the available keys for assignment, and edit assigned shortcuts to make your workflow even easier.

The keyboard layout:

This is a representation of your physical keyboard where you can see which keys have been assigned a shortcut, and which are available.

Command list:

The list displays all the commands that can be assigned shortcuts.

Key modifier list:

This list shows you all the modifier combinations and assigned shortcuts associated with the key you select on your physical keyboard.

After Effects does not allow you to reassign the following keys:

12. Should You Buy It?

Well first, you cannot buy After Effects, Premiere Pro or other software from Adobe. You have to rent them by paying monthly. After Effects is primarily a compositing and graphics software. Premiere is primarily a video editing program. In the case of After Effects and Premiere Pro, it’s not really an either/or. They’re both software with different purposes. After Effects is a lot more powerful and essentially showcases most of Premiere’s functionality, but according to our experience, the Premiere Pro interface and workflow is way more superior for video editing.

Premiere Pro is essentially built around its timeline, the region where you cut your video clips and drag and place them into your appropriate sequence. Hollywood filmmakers and professional YouTube content creators are using Premiere Pro to edit high-performing content and award-winning films. The software is very intuitive and easy for beginners to start with.

Are going to work with After Effects to create an income? Or are just going to use it for a hobby? It’s crucial to mention that question because Adobe After Effects is not something that is cheaply available. You will be investing much money on the program, and if you are working to use the software, paying a good amount, and earning nothing in return, then you might want to shift to another alternative which would cost you less. For instance, let’s assume you are using the application to earn an income, and have a few low-paying clients. In such a situation, you will have to rethink your options of software and analyze whether what you are paying in comparison to what you are getting is enough for you or not. We all are different individuals and have different preferences. Once we can see what is more important to us, or what is our need at this moment, then we will be able to judge the worth of purchasing Adobe After Effects better.

Are you going to use After Effects to earn an income? Or are just using it as a hobby? It is very important to address this question because Adobe After Effects is not something cheaply accessible. You will be investing a lot of money into this software, if you are using the software while paying a good amount and earning nothing in return yet, then you could shift to a different alternative which will cost you a lot less. Let’s say you are using After Effects to earn an income and have some low-paying work. In that case, you will have to reconsider your options of video editing software and look at whether what you are paying in comparison to what you are getting is possible for you. When we can see what is more important to us, we will be able to see the worth of buying After Effects.

Did you previously use After Effects or are you new to the program? The return that you will get using Adobe After Effects, depends on how good you know how to work with the options, functions and features in the software.

The Bottom Line

So summing it all together, Adobe After Effects takes care of all your assets and creates a final product, considering that After Effects is usually an asset-generation tool. Most video editors complete their projects in After Effects non-stop. It’s excellent for making visual videos come to life.

AE version 22.3 is very impressive. Giving you a wealth of new features created to make VFX editing a lot faster and easier. Offering new features on a regular basis, improving their subscription model making it more attractive. Especially if you’re a professional editor and designer.

Once you get comfortable with Adobe After Effects, you learn how to dynamically combine After Effects compositions to your Premiere projects. You are able to access both assets at the same time if needed!

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Are You Searching for the Best Cinematic LUTs for Premiere Pro? You Are in the Right Place because This Article Is Dedicated to LUTs

LUTs stand for Look-Up Tables and are compatible with a wide array of editing software. This element in video editing can be used during production or before and after production. Using the LUTs, you can color grade your media content to make it more visually appealing. The LUTs can create consistency in your videos and photos and also leads to accurate results.

This article is designed to provide all the information about cinematic LUTs for Premiere Pro. You will not only find the best LUTs present for Premiere Pro, but we will also discuss the compatibility of LUTs with other editing software. Above all, the bonus tip will also provide a great alternative to Premiere Pro for cinematic LUTs.

Part 1: Which File Formats Are LUTs Available In?

You must be wondering if there are any specific file formats for cinematic LUTs Premiere Pro. Yes, some formats define the availability of LUTs. Some of them are:

3DL: 3DL is the 3D lattice of RGB output colors. You can find this in DaVinci Resolve, Adobe After Effects, and Photoshop.
CUBE: It is one of the most popular file formats for video editing. If you want to work with CUBE, you can access it on Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and other editing software.
DAT: If you are an animation maker or work with 3D modeling, this file format is for you. In case you want to use it, go to Autodesk Maya.
CSP: This stands for Clip Studio Paint. As the name suggests, you can use it for making high-class digital art.
ICC: The International Color Consortium is a file format specifically used for color calibrations along with color management.
MGA: Are you irritated by low-quality graphics? No worries because MGA can help you in improving the graphics in versatile gaming software.
Look: With this file format; you can work with Sony Camera’s postproduction work. It leads to high-quality results, so you can use it without issues.

Empower your videos with a new mood using different LUTs. Filmora now offers 100+ top-quality 3D LUTs cover a broad range of scenarios. Transform your videos with Filmora’s powerful 3D LUTs.

Apply LUT on Videos Apply LUT on Videos Learn More

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Part 2: Are LUTs Compatible With All Media Editing Software?

Predominantly, LUTs are compatible with a considerable number of media editing software. Yet, the specificity of the compatibility is somehow dependent on the file formats for the LUTs you want to use. Moreover, some software does not have the ability to import or apply the LUTs to a satisfactory quality. Many video editing software supports 3DL and CUBE as they are the most commonly used software.

In addition, popular platforms such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe Acrobat, DaVinci Resolve, and many other software can provide you with LUTs. However, you need to make sure that you are using their latest version because versions of software can affect the compatibility of LUTs. In case you want to use the less commonly used LUTs formats, you need to find a reliable source to import or apply it.

Part 3: What Are The Best Cinematic LUTs For Premiere Pro?

Now that you know considerable information about LUTs, you must be wondering where to find them. In this section, you will discover the cinematic LUTs for Premiere Pro, one of the most known platforms for providing LUTs. Thus, look below to find the LUTs of Premiere Pro:

1. Fast Film LUTs

With this cinematic LUTs Premiere Pro, you can add aesthetic emulation to your film project. It can even add a filmy touch to simple photographs. This can also save the low light issues in the footage to show clear scenes to your audience. Above all, it also reduces the noise and helps improve your film’s outlook.

2. Emulation LUTs

Using this LUT preset, you can optimize your film’s dynamic range and emulation metrics. It can escalate every little detail of your footage and help engage more viewers. In addition to this, you can apply these LUTs to multiple shots to add consistency to your video. These Premiere Pro cinematic LUTs can also

3. Pro Color Grading LUTs

A video or photo without colors can never attract the target audience. Yet, you can cater to these issues using the intuitive LUT named Pro Color Grading LUTs. It can not only fix the color grading problems of your media but can also add aesthetics to it. Moreover, you can also customize it as per your need.

4. Filmy Tone LUTs

If you wish to evoke a sense of nostalgia in your viewers, there is no better way than the Filmy Tone LUTs. It enhances the visibility of videos and photos and aims to show different periods. This can be the perfect choice for those who want to create films and photos dedicated to the past.

5. City Skyline LUTs

For creating and adding the city-lighted environment to media, you can take assistance from this LUT. It is widely used in travel and commercial videos. Moreover, you can also emphasize the features of the cityscape by using it. This also helps to add vibrant colors and styling, just as in city shots.

6. LUTs Summer Film

Creating summer videos with precise summer lights can be a tricky procedure. However, the LUTs Summer Film can help you with this as it can add summer vibes to any videos and photos. You can even use it to give summer looks to the videos shot in the winter season.

7. Exhale LUTs

To add the soft highlight along with a moody environment, you can use the Exhale LUTs. These cinematic filters Premiere Pro are widely used in music and fashion videos. You can also use it in art videos to create a sense of immersion and connection for the viewers.

8. DELUTS

The Digital Film Emulation Look-Up Tables are useful for creating a classic filmy look for simple videos and photos. It can enhance the texture and depth of everything in the video, making it more studio friendly. You can use this LUT for weddings or corporate videos.

9. Free Reign Sample LUTs

With the help of this LUT, you can experience full control over the color metrics of videos and photos. Even if the video’s color gets compromised during shooting, you can fix them with this. This type of LUTs can be used for experiments, independent or travel videos.

10. Vintage LUTs for Premiere Pro

As the name suggests, you can use these LUTs to add a more vintage look to the photos and videos. This can improve the warmth and clarify the theme of the video. You can make your videos and photos stand out in a crowd with the help of this type of LUTs.

11. Airy Bright LUTs

Many users love to make their videos airier and fuller in brightness. This LUT is perfect for users of these types of liking. You can access these LUTs to add soothing brightness and airer effects in videos and photos. It is widely used for fixing the photos of bad videos captured at night.

12. Canon Cinestyle to Rec.709 LUT

This LUT can help the videographers to add a more cinematic look to the videos captured by Cannon DSLR. You can also create a color space of Rec.709 in your videos with this LUT. No matter if you want to work on wedding shots or short films, this LUT can help you with all.

13. Urban Fashion Premiere Pro LUTs

By applying this LUT, you can convert simple fashion videos into professional ones. It can create VOUGE-standard videos for you; thus, you can also use this for startup brands. Moreover, if you are an Instagram or TikTok model, you should get familiar with it because it can make any footage premiere level in a few taps.

14. Osiris Cinematic LUTs

For making travel or advertisement videos more high quality, you can use this Premiere Pro cinematic presets. It can make all types of videos more visually appealing and can add cinematic looks to it. Moreover, this LUT allows you to upscale all the visuals and characters in the video.

15. Finishing LUTs

To add eye-catching finishing effects to the videos, you can use the Finishing LUTs. This can enhance the end-of-color grading procedure for you. It can also add a more contrast and color-friendly look to the ends. You can use it for TV series, films, music, and other videos.

Bonus Part: Wondershare Filmora – A Great Alternative To Discover Cinematic LUTs

Undoubtedly, you can use the cinematic LUTs for Premiere Pro, yet sometimes it can be a tricky platform. Thus, you need to know the best alternative to Premiere Pro so you can apply LUTs to your videos in an optimized manner. The best tool that can help you with this is Wondershare Filmora . You can experience professional-level video editing with this.

Add LUTs on Video For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Add LUTs on Video For macOS 10.14 or later

Try It Free >>

Moreover, you can apply LUTs to the videos and can also adjust their intensity as per your need. Above all, it can help you to apply LUTs to several types of videos, such as landscapers or short videos. It also supports the LUTs hover, which lets you preview the LUTs effects .

Prominent Features of Wondershare Filmora

With its Color Wheel, you can adjust every color metric of video. It can include mid-tones, shadows, hue, and more.
Along with color customization, you can also sharpen the blur videos to improve the quality of your video.
You can also control the speed ramping of your video with Filmora. It can also do motion tracking for you.
By using the batch edit feature, you can edit multiple videos at once without compromising the quality.

Conclusion

Considering everything, you can use the cinematic LUTs for Premiere Pro to upgrade the functionality of your video. The LUTs are available in several file formats, which are mentioned above. Moreover, several editing software can help you to import and apply LUTs on photos and videos. One of the popular ones is Premiere Pro.

Other than this, the best Premiere Pro cinematic LUTs are also discussed above for your ease. Yet, if you find the Premiere Pro difficult, you can use its best alternative named Wondershare Filmora. To find out more about Filmora, go to the previous part.

Add LUTs on Video For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Add LUTs on Video For macOS 10.14 or later

Try It Free >>

Apply LUT on Videos Apply LUT on Videos Learn More

Try It Free >>

Part 2: Are LUTs Compatible With All Media Editing Software?