Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this lesson you will learn how to export Compositions & Animations with Transparent Backgrounds (Alpha Channels) and how to export Animated GIFs using Adobe Media Encoder (AME)
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Creating a 3D Spinning Logo Animation
1. Create A New Composition
1. Choose a social media square preset.
2. Use the Eyedropper Tool to select the background color.
3. Ensure transparency by checking the transparency grid.
2. Add Footage Layer
1. Drag logo from the Project Panel on the Composition Panel
3. Resize Logo
1. Select Logo Layer
2. Tap ‘S’ for Scale property (S) to adjust the size.
4. Making Layers 3D
1. Enabling 3D for Layers
2. Ensure switches are visible in the Layers panel.
3. Toggle the 3D layer icon (cube).
5. Animating in 3D Space
1. Add keyframes for rotation properties.
2. Use the Y rotation property for a 360-degree animation.
6. Using Expressions for Animation
1. Adding Time Expressions
1. Replace keyframes with expressions.
2. Example: time * (360 / 10); for a 10-second loop.
2. Exporting with Transparency in After Effects Render Queue
1. Add to Render Queue
1. File ... Export ... Add to Render Queue or
1. Command/Ctrl + M.
2. Setting Output Module for Transparency
1. Use presets like "High Quality with Alpha" or "Lossless with Alpha".
2. Ensure format is QuickTime and channels are set to RGB + Alpha.
3. Exporting with Transparency in Adobe Media Encoder
1. Adding to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
1. File ... Export ... Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
1. Option + Command + M.
2. Using Presets in Media Encoder
1. Search for and apply "Alpha ProRes 4444 with Alpha QuickTime".
2. Customize settings if needed.
4. Exporting Animated GIFs
1. Creating GIF Outputs
1. Duplicate outputs in Media Encoder.
2. Use GIF presets with transparency.
3. Save custom presets for future use.
5. Saving and Using Custom Presets
1. Creating Custom Presets
1. Save export settings as custom presets.
2. Applying Custom Presets
1. Access saved presets in the User Presets folder for quick use.
6. Rendering and Reviewing Exports
1. Starting the Render Process
1. Click the green play icon to start the queue.
2. Monitor progress and check for green checkmarks upon completion.
7. Testing Transparency
1. Import rendered files back into After Effects to confirm transparency.
8. Managing and Resetting Render Queue
1. Resetting Outputs
1. Right-click to reset individual outputs or entire groups.
9. Clearing the Render Queue
1. Select items and press Delete or click the minus icon.
In this lesson you will learn how to export Compositions & Animations with Transparent Backgrounds (Alpha Channels) and how to export Animated GIFs using Adobe Media Encoder (AME)
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Creating a 3D Spinning Logo Animation
1. Create A New Composition
1. Choose a social media square preset.
2. Use the Eyedropper Tool to select the background color.
3. Ensure transparency by checking the transparency grid.
2. Add Footage Layer
1. Drag logo from the Project Panel on the Composition Panel
3. Resize Logo
1. Select Logo Layer
2. Tap ‘S’ for Scale property (S) to adjust the size.
4. Making Layers 3D
1. Enabling 3D for Layers
2. Ensure switches are visible in the Layers panel.
3. Toggle the 3D layer icon (cube).
5. Animating in 3D Space
1. Add keyframes for rotation properties.
2. Use the Y rotation property for a 360-degree animation.
6. Using Expressions for Animation
1. Adding Time Expressions
1. Replace keyframes with expressions.
2. Example: time * (360 / 10); for a 10-second loop.
2. Exporting with Transparency in After Effects Render Queue
1. Add to Render Queue
1. File ... Export ... Add to Render Queue or
1. Command/Ctrl + M.
2. Setting Output Module for Transparency
1. Use presets like "High Quality with Alpha" or "Lossless with Alpha".
2. Ensure format is QuickTime and channels are set to RGB + Alpha.
3. Exporting with Transparency in Adobe Media Encoder
1. Adding to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
1. File ... Export ... Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
1. Option + Command + M.
2. Using Presets in Media Encoder
1. Search for and apply "Alpha ProRes 4444 with Alpha QuickTime".
2. Customize settings if needed.
4. Exporting Animated GIFs
1. Creating GIF Outputs
1. Duplicate outputs in Media Encoder.
2. Use GIF presets with transparency.
3. Save custom presets for future use.
5. Saving and Using Custom Presets
1. Creating Custom Presets
1. Save export settings as custom presets.
2. Applying Custom Presets
1. Access saved presets in the User Presets folder for quick use.
6. Rendering and Reviewing Exports
1. Starting the Render Process
1. Click the green play icon to start the queue.
2. Monitor progress and check for green checkmarks upon completion.
7. Testing Transparency
1. Import rendered files back into After Effects to confirm transparency.
8. Managing and Resetting Render Queue
1. Resetting Outputs
1. Right-click to reset individual outputs or entire groups.
9. Clearing the Render Queue
1. Select items and press Delete or click the minus icon.
