
Folders, represented by a folder icon (easy!), are there to organize the whole thing as the Project panel can get a little crowded.Īccess the best video tips, design hacks, and deals straight to your inbox. Assets are represented as icons like you would see on your desktop they vary depending on the file type. In the Project panel, you will see comps represented as icons with multi-colored shapes. Comps each have their own timeline and can be nested within one another. Compositions-or “comps”-are containers that hold layers of video, audio, images, text, shapes, and more. On the left side of your Project panel, you’ll see three types of items: Folders, Compositions, and Assets.

Once the document is open, take a look around. Alternatively, you may choose to use similar fonts or others that fit your brand guidelines. If you want to use those exact fonts, just note the names and you can download and install them separately. The second alert that you may get is that the template uses fonts that are not installed on your computer. Go ahead and convert the file this typically means that the creator made the template on a PC and you’re using a Mac, or vice-versa. Upon opening the document, you may get an alert that the program needs to convert the file to your version of After Effects. It will prompt you to relink them-not the end of the world, but you can avoid the extra work if you start on the right (organized!) foot.


AE will not know where you’ve moved the files. So, let’s say you’ve got your assets spread out all over your desktop and then mid-project you decide to pop them into a folder. Here’s why: When you import files to AE, AE will continue to look for the files in the location from which you imported them. Before You Beginīefore diving into AE, create a folder on your computer to house the assets that you plan to use, like images, video, and music. If you want to follow along, we’ll also use a violinist, a bass player, a woman practicing guitar, a musical motion background, a guitar player, a rock band, piano keys, a flute player, and a rock song.
