The short version:
A free chapter by us outlining in detail the differences between After Effects CS3 and CS4 – with project files – is now available on our publisher Focal Press’ web site.
The long version:
We normally update our book Creating Motion Graphics (CMG for short) for every other version of After Effects (AE). The most recent edition – CMG4 – was for AE CS3.
However, we decided to try something different this time. Rather than update the entire book, we created a bonus chapter outlining the differences between AE CS3 and CS4, including many examples and tutorials. We made the PDF and accompanying project file available for free on the Focal Press After Effects micro-site – click through the link for Free Chapter Download. The project file assumes you have the disc that came with CMG4, as it uses source files from that disc. (Note: Some problems have been reported with using Apple Preview to read the PDF file; we suggest you download and use Adobe Reader.)
We hope this makes the transition from AE CS3 to AE CS4 easier, plus protects your investment in purchasing a copy of CMG4. Our intention has always been to make Creating Motion Graphics a reference volume that every After Effects artist should have on their desk.
Some other links that may be of interest:
- An overview of the latest version of Creating Motion Graphics, including PDF samples
- An overview of the major new features in AE CS4 for motion graphics artists
- An hour and a half of video training on what’s new in After Effects CS4 on Lynda.com (if you don’t already have a subscription, click here for a free 7-day pass)
We will continue to post articles (and the occasional video) here on PVC as issues come up in After Effects. For example, we’re overdue on writing a big piece on the background and implications of the new pixel aspect ratios in CS4…
A very special thanks must go out to Todd Kopriva of Adobe for providing a raw list of new features in CS4, which made it possible for us to be far more thorough than planned (i.e. this was supposed to just a 16 page chapter; it ended up being 48 pages!).
The content contained in our books, videos, blogs, and articles for other sites are all copyright Crish Design, except where otherwise attributed.