5 Hidden After Effects Features Every Editor Should Know
This blog will highlight 5 hidden features every editor should know, focusing on After Effects templates, plugins, animation presets, the motion graphics toolkit, and workflow efficiency. You’ll walk away armed with knowledge on how to simplify your editing process and significantly boost your creative output.
Oh, and if you’re looking to take things even further, don’t forget to explore some of the best After Effects plugins and templates.
Unlock the Power of After Effects Templates
How After Effects Templates Streamline Workflows
After Effects templates are pre-designed setups that allow you to create complex animations, transitions, or effects in just a few clicks. Instead of reinventing the wheel for every project, templates free up time for more creative thinking.
For instance, if you’re editing a corporate video, an After Effects intro template ensures sleek, professional animations without hours of manual design work.
Customizing After Effects Templates for Professional Projects
The beauty of templates lies in their flexibility. While they provide a base for your projects, After Effects’ extensive customization options mean you can tweak fonts, colors, transitions, and effects to match your brand’s unique style. Whether you’re producing an elegant wedding video or a fast-paced YouTube vlog, templates adapt seamlessly.
Need quality templates to start with? Check out these Pixflow After Effects Templates to get inspired!
Smart Designers Use Templates
Ever wondered why some motion designers stand out? They know how to amplify templates with After Effects’ hidden gems. For example, Expression Controls allow you to link template layers dynamically without manual adjustments. This and a number of other features elevate simple templates into custom, premium-level projects.
Boost Creativity with After Effects Plugins
What Are After Effects Plugins and Why You Need Them?
Plugins are third-party add-ons designed to make tasks easier, quicker, or more innovative. Whether it’s glitch effects, artistic typography, or cinematic transitions, plugins bring your visuals to life without painstaking manual work.
Top Plugins to Enhance Your Toolkit
Here are some favorites to add to your motion graphics arsenal:
- Motion Factory from Pixflow: A free plugin that organizes media assets and includes tools for HUD effects.
- TypoKing Title: Perfect for animated titles and dynamic typography.
- PX-VHS: Ideal for creating textured, analog interfaces.
Check out Pixflow’s plugin library for more great options.
Integrating After Effects Plugins with Templates
Here’s where the magic happens. Combine plugins with templates to create jaw-dropping visuals in half the time. For example, use the Action FX Pro Plugin with a predesigned title template to layer dramatic fire or smoke effects.
Optimize Projects with After Effects Animation Presets
Hidden Animation Presets Every Editor Should Explore
While everyone knows the classic fade-in/fade-out, After Effects comes loaded with unique presets. For example, if you like to create a nice type machine effect, all you need to do is to look for the “Typewriter” effect for dynamic letter reveals. You can even create and save custom presets for future projects.
How Animation Presets Save Time
Instead of manually keyframing sequences, simply apply a preset and fine-tune it to fit your vision. If you’re balancing freelance deadlines, these presets will be your new best friends.
Tools That Simplify Complex Edits
Here are some hidden gems within the toolkit worth exploring:
- Master Properties: Change attributes (like colors and text) of one composition, and those changes ripple through your entire project.
- Essential Graphics Panel: Export key settings into the panel for easy adjustments, even in Premiere Pro.
Best Features for Motion Designers
Motion designers rave about features like:
- Use Shape Layers for smooth, scalable animations.
- Track Mattes for creative masking effects. Learn how to elevate your edits by layering these with templates.
- Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Home to reset anchor points quickly. This minor trick alone can save tons of time when using templates or layering objects.
Combining Templates and Plugins for Maximum Impact
Creating Professional Results by Merging Templates and Plugins
Say you’re designing a product ad. Start with a predesigned intro template, layer stunning cinematic title using plugins like PX-Movie Title, and finish with a custom CRT overlay. The result? Intricate visuals in half the time.
Enhancing Template-Based Projects with Animation Presets
Keep it dynamic by pairing presets like “Wiggle Position” with kinetic text templates. The flexibility lets you go from corporate-clean to whimsical-fun with ease.
Features Motion Designers Use to Elevate Their Edits
When in doubt, prioritize the Essential Graphics Panel combined with premium templates and plugins. These are the ultimate tools for building portfolio-worthy edits.
Conclusion
Feeling inspired? Start exploring today with Pixflow’s lineup of premium After Effects plugins and templates. Level up your workflow—and your edits—like never before.
