How to Do a Simple Composite Using Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a program which you can use to combine footage with transparent backgrounds, such as video shot on a green screen. To build a project with video or animation footage, you must create a composition in which you can bring the different footage together.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Footage shot on a Green or Blue screen
• Computer
• Adobe After Effects

1. Create a new composition by going to File, then Composition. In the dialogue box that opens give it a name in the name field. In the pre-set menu, choose NTSC D1, with the 720 X 540 option.

2. In your timeline, make sure the time indicator is at 0.00 by dragging it all the way to the left.

3. Go to File, Import, and then File. Choose the video, photograph or animation files you want to composite in the Composition. Your footage will appear in the Project Window. Use your mouse to select the footage, and click and drag it directly to the Timeline. Drag each file you wish to use into the composite.

4. In the Timeline window, drag the footage up or down depending on whether it will be in the foreground or background, with the object to appear in the foreground on top and the background on the bottom.

5. The Composition Monitor window is where you can view your footage as it is currently laid out. If your footage is not in the appropriate place, use the arrow “Selection” tool to select the name of the footage you wish to use in the Timeline. Then select the Hand Tool from the Tool Box, and use it to position the footage directly from the Monitor Window.