Skip to main content
CoursebeginnerFree

Basic Training

Video Copilot

Video Copilot's free tutorial series walks through After Effects from the interface outward, covering layers, keyframes, masks, 3D cameras, and compositing. Finishing it leaves you able to build and render your own motion graphics shots.

Visit resource

More resources on After Effects

WebsiteFree

schoolofmotion.com

School of Motion is an online education platform for motion design. It offers project-based courses, workshops, and tutorials in After Effects and Cinema 4D, plus critiques and masterclasses to help you create professional animation work.

WebsiteFree

videocopilot.net

Video Copilot is a premier source for Visual Effects training and tools for After Effects, featuring project-based tutorials on compositing, tracking, 3D, and particle effects, plus free tutorials, downloadable project files, and plugins (notably Element 3D) to practice VFX fundamentals.

CoursePaid

After Effects Kickstart

An eight-week structured beginner course covering the After Effects interface, keyframes, timing, shape layers, and importing Photoshop and Illustrator artwork. Assignments are critiqued by a teaching assistant, so you finish with reviewed animation work.

BookPaid

Adobe After Effects CC Classroom in a Book

Adobe's official lesson-based workbook, with downloadable project footage, building from compositing and keyframing to text animation, 3D layers, effects, and rendering. Working through the lessons gives you methodical coverage of the standard After Effects toolset.

BookPaid

After Effects Apprentice

The Meyers' guided introduction to After Effects, pairing short chapters with hands-on project files that cover keyframing, masks, effects, 3D space, and output. Suited to someone who wants a taught path rather than a reference manual.

BookPaid

Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects

A comprehensive reference on After Effects for professional motion graphics work, covering compositing, expressions, 3D space, color management, and integration with other applications. Best used after basic training, when you need depth on specific features.

See all After Effects resources →