Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this lesson, you will learn how to use Animation Presets, which are bundles of pre-configured effects and animations that can be quickly applied to your layers in After Effects, streamlining your workflow and generating awesome animations.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Animation Presets
1. Difference between effects and presets.
2. Effects as individual ingredients vs. presets as prebuilt recipes.
2. Accessing Animation Presets
1. Finding Presets
1. Effects & Presets panel.
2. Two main folders: Adobe Presets and User Presets.
2. Saving Custom Presets
1. Steps to save custom animation presets for future use.
3. Applying Animation Presets
1. Methods to Apply Presets
1. Dragging onto the comp window.
2. Double-clicking on a preset.
3. Importance of CTI placement for animation start points.
2. Viewing and Adjusting Keyframes
1. Using the 'U' shortcut to reveal keyframes.
2. Adjusting keyframe positions for proper timing.
4. Removing Presets and Effects
1. Methods to Remove
1. Top menu: Effect ... Remove All.
2. Keyboard shortcut: Shift + Command/Ctrl + E.
2. Undoing Mistakes
1. Using the Edit menu to undo actions.
5. Using Presets with No Layer Selected
1. Adding Presets to the Entire Composition
1. Example: Adding a fog or light smoke animation.
6. Learning from Presets
1. Dissecting Presets
1. Exploring how presets are built to understand effects.
2. Revealing modified properties and customizing settings.
7. Special Considerations for Text Presets
1. Text Animators
1. Applying and customizing text presets.
2. Importance of exploring the Text Presets folder.
2. Working with 3D Text Presets
1. Converting layers to 3D.
2. Managing 3D settings and removing 3D properties.
8. Previewing Presets with Adobe Bridge
1. Using Adobe Bridge for Preset Management
1. Accessing and previewing presets.
2. Navigating Bridge and understanding its interface.
2. Applying Presets from Adobe Bridge
1. Selecting and applying presets directly from Bridge.
9. Recommended Preset Categories
1. Behaviors and Creative Presets
1. Practical and useful effects.
2. Example: Hand-drawn effects and line boil animations.
10. Troubleshooting Common Issues
1. Expression Errors
1. Identifying and resolving broken expressions.
2. Using the 'EE' shortcut to reveal expressions and delete them.
11. Practical Tips and Best Practices
1. Efficient Workflow Tips
1. Setting CTI correctly before applying presets.
2. Utilizing the search and preview functionalities in Bridge.
2. Encouragement to Experiment
1. Exploring different presets and customizing them for unique results.
In this lesson, you will learn how to use Animation Presets, which are bundles of pre-configured effects and animations that can be quickly applied to your layers in After Effects, streamlining your workflow and generating awesome animations.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Animation Presets
1. Difference between effects and presets.
2. Effects as individual ingredients vs. presets as prebuilt recipes.
2. Accessing Animation Presets
1. Finding Presets
1. Effects & Presets panel.
2. Two main folders: Adobe Presets and User Presets.
2. Saving Custom Presets
1. Steps to save custom animation presets for future use.
3. Applying Animation Presets
1. Methods to Apply Presets
1. Dragging onto the comp window.
2. Double-clicking on a preset.
3. Importance of CTI placement for animation start points.
2. Viewing and Adjusting Keyframes
1. Using the 'U' shortcut to reveal keyframes.
2. Adjusting keyframe positions for proper timing.
4. Removing Presets and Effects
1. Methods to Remove
1. Top menu: Effect ... Remove All.
2. Keyboard shortcut: Shift + Command/Ctrl + E.
2. Undoing Mistakes
1. Using the Edit menu to undo actions.
5. Using Presets with No Layer Selected
1. Adding Presets to the Entire Composition
1. Example: Adding a fog or light smoke animation.
6. Learning from Presets
1. Dissecting Presets
1. Exploring how presets are built to understand effects.
2. Revealing modified properties and customizing settings.
7. Special Considerations for Text Presets
1. Text Animators
1. Applying and customizing text presets.
2. Importance of exploring the Text Presets folder.
2. Working with 3D Text Presets
1. Converting layers to 3D.
2. Managing 3D settings and removing 3D properties.
8. Previewing Presets with Adobe Bridge
1. Using Adobe Bridge for Preset Management
1. Accessing and previewing presets.
2. Navigating Bridge and understanding its interface.
2. Applying Presets from Adobe Bridge
1. Selecting and applying presets directly from Bridge.
9. Recommended Preset Categories
1. Behaviors and Creative Presets
1. Practical and useful effects.
2. Example: Hand-drawn effects and line boil animations.
10. Troubleshooting Common Issues
1. Expression Errors
1. Identifying and resolving broken expressions.
2. Using the 'EE' shortcut to reveal expressions and delete them.
11. Practical Tips and Best Practices
1. Efficient Workflow Tips
1. Setting CTI correctly before applying presets.
2. Utilizing the search and preview functionalities in Bridge.
2. Encouragement to Experiment
1. Exploring different presets and customizing them for unique results.
