After Effects after 1 Year

So I’ve been playing in After Effects since January of 2022, and I wanted to share the top 10 tips I’ve discovered in that time.

1. Use pre-compositions to simplify your workflow.
2. Utilize the effects and presets that come with After Effects, as well as third-party plugins.
3. Use the right resolution and frame rate for your project.
4. Use the Layer Control effect to easily switch visibility on and off for multiple layers.
5. Use the Puppet Pin tool to add natural movement to static elements.
6. Use shape layers to create vector graphics, as they are resolution independent.
7. Use the Parenting feature to link layers together for easy animation.
8. Use the Track Matte feature to cut out a layer and reveal the layer below.
9. Use the Expressions feature to create dynamic animations.
10. Take advantage of the many keyboard shortcuts available to speed up your workflow.