How to Set Up a Work Area With Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a complicated animation and compositing program that cannot easily be learned in a few steps. The best way to learn the program is to learn the basics, and build from there. A good way to familiarize yourself with the tools and the workspace is to set up a custom work area, or workspace. This is a very easy thing to do and you can save different workspaces for various needs. When you reopen the program, the last workspace you used will open automatically.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe After Effects

1. Open Adobe After Effects. The workspace will initially open in the default view, usually with all panels locked.

2. Each panel has a small arrow in its upper right-hand corner. If you right click on it, you will see several options. If you click “Undock Frame” or "Undock Panel" it will become a floating panel that you can move around to meet your work style. There are many panels in the workspace, and you may find you do not need to undock and move them all. Experiment with the space until you find on that is right for your needs.

3. If you decide you want to restore a workspace to its original state, go to your Window menu at the top of your screen, and choose Workspace, and then Reset, and your Workspace name. Click on Discard Changes.

4. To delete a saved workspace, go to the Window menu and choose Workspace, and then Delete Workspace. Click on the name of the workspace you want to remove, and then choose Delete.

5. When you are satisfied with your newly arranged workspace, go to your Window Menu, and then to Workspace and New Workspace. Type in a name, and click OK. Your changes will be saved and can be accessed at any time.