AFTER EFFECTS AND PHOTOSHOP

[Jonathan Pitzer]

For the most part, After Effects and Photoshop work completely differently. However, some of the features do transfer over (i.e. Blending Modes, Effects available) but those features are pretty much self explanitory. However, it is very usefuyl to know Photoshop simply because you can take files from AE to Photoshop to add much more power and versitility without spending thousands of dollars on extra effects.

[Jameson Schultz]

I found it easier to understand After Effects after I understood Photoshop. Most users come straight from using Premiere and when they encounter layers and precomping, become a little confused. Since After Effects works in layers along with a timeline, I try to tell people After Effects is the powerful offspring of Photoshop and Premiere. As Jonathan said somethings like blending modes and effects are present in both apps, but it’s the other things like keyframes, cameras, and the wiggler 😉 that make AE what it is.

Still by no means do you have to know Photoshop first. I learned AE from the Total Training DVD set. A bit long but it explains everything you could want to know as a new user.

~Hope this helps~
Jameson