Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects, Vol. 1: The Essentials (3rd Edition, Version 6.5)

Rating:
Summary: The authors experience comes through.
Review: After Effects is a leading motion graphics and visual effects software system. A lot of the dynamic animation you see moving titles around on TV show ads are done using After Effects. And a lot of these come from CyberMotion, the authors company.

That I think is the key to this book. It isn't a manual on how to use the software. It is a book on this is what I needed to do and this is how I did it. The voice of experience comes through. It's clear that the authors know whereof they speak. I found the little points where they illustrate 'this is what happens if you do this wrong.' It's a lot easier to learn what not to do here in a book before doing it and then trying to find out what you did wrong later. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A very good guidance
Review: I bought this book as a person relatively new to After Effects. Several people pointed me to "Creating Motion Graphics" and I can see why. This book is so stuffed with valuable information. Whether you're new to AE or experienced, this is a valuable training tool.

Instructions are clear and concise. You'll learn everything from the AE interface to mattes, masking, 3D camera work, and on and on... I felt like the book had paid for itself after the first chapter (and I already kind of knew my way around the program).

If you're looking for a good resource to learn After Effects, the Creating Motion Graphics series is about as good as it gets.

Rating:
Summary: This book should be the user's manual!
Review: This book should come with AE! I'd give up the printed Abobe manual (but keep the online help file).

I agree with the other reviewers that Chap 1 can be tough to get through if you know nothing about AE. I got stuck on Step 4 because the text referred to "..the A/V Switches column..". Turns out the column is actually called the A/V FEATURES column. (I had to look in the online help file to figure out what the tutorial was talking about.) I was able to muddle my way through the rest of the tutorial because I've worked with Premiere and a little with Photoshop CS.

Other than that, the book is fantastic. I'm currently starting Chapter 4 after ~16 hrs invested. I would definitely buy it again. In fact, when the 3rd Edition is printed for Volume 2 of the series I will be buying it!