Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This is the only book on the market to focus exclusively on the creation of visual effects for After Effects users, and is a one-stop resource for anyone who wants in-depth explanations that demystify the realm of visual effects and how they were created, thanks to veteran author Mark Christiansen's friendly and accessible style.

A thoroughly packed, informative read, this masterful guide focuses on explaining the essential concepts, features, and techniques that are key to creating seamless movie-quality visual effects. Users who are comfortable with After Effects will find a helpful review of the fundamentals - managing footage, viewing and editing layers, animating type, and more - so they can learn how to work smarter and more efficiently. Readers of all levels will learn core techniques for effects compositing including color matching, keying, rotoscoping, motion tracking, emulating the camera, and concluding with using expressions in After Effects, written by contributor and expert Dan Ebberts. An incredibly useful appendix on scripting in After Effects is included as well, written by Adobe engineer Jeff Almasol. The final section of the book delves into creative explorations, demonstrating professional effects that are commonly seen in films and games which readers can re-create.

Readers will also find comprehensive coverage of all that's new and makes this version of Adobe's effects programa must-have update, including the revolutionary new Roto Brush, all new effects such as the New Refine Matte effect, new support for Color Look-Up Tables, workflows that take advantage of the all-new 64-bit support, inclusion of third-party tools for additional creativity, and much more.

Note from the publisher:

FREE Adobe After Effects CS5.5 updates are available for this title. Simply register your product at www.peachpit.com/register and you will receive the updates when they become available.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction
• Section I Working Foundations
• Chapter 1 Composite in After Effects
• Chapter 2 The Timeline
• Chapter 3 Mattes, Masks, and Modes
• Chapter 4 Optimizing Projects
• Section II Effects Compositing Essentials
• Chapter 5 Color Correction
• Chapter 6 Color Keying
• Chapter 7 Rotoscoping and Paint
• Chapter 8 Effective Motion Tracking
• Chapter 9 The Camera and Optics
• Chapter 10 Expressions
• Chapter 11 HDR Compositing and Color Management
• Section III Creative Explorations
• Chapter 12 Light
• Chapter 13 Climate: Air, Water, Smoke, Clouds
• Chapter 14 Pyrotechnics: Fire, Explosions, Energy
• Index