Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 23, 2016. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
After Effects, Adobe’s tool for compositing and motion graphics, received a major update this month together with the other Creative Cloud products. Following the release’s initial bugs, a bug-fix update has already appeared. For everyone who does not yet know whether the update is worthwhile, we summarise the most important innovations. You can find a complete overview of all new functions on the official Adobe Blog. Incidentally—in the DP issue after next, 02 : 2017, our focus is “Motion Graphics,” so start preparing yourselves for it!
Team Projects (Beta)
One of the most important innovations is the beta version of “Team Projects,” which enables collaboration on shared projects in After Effects CC, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, and Adobe Prelude CC. The data is stored in the cloud, while referenced media files are stored in local source files or shared proxies. For better collaboration, Adobe offers integrated tools such as version control and intelligent conflict resolution. You can view detailed information about working simultaneously here.
3D Composition Renderer
The new update also brings a new 3D renderer based on Cinema 4D’s rendering technology. Among other things, the new renderer can be used to create 3D text and logos and extrude them directly in the timeline. You can find more information about the 3D renderer here.
Templates, Templates…Templates!
Long awaited, but now it is here: the new version can create templates for project settings such as colour management and folder structures. You can then select these templates in the preferences as the default for all subsequent new projects. You can synchronise changes to templates via Creative Cloud and thus also use them for shared projects with others. Template projects can be used as an After Effects template file (.aet), an After Effects project file (.aep), or an After Effects XML project file (.aepx).
New Script Functions
Since CC 2017 (14.0), scripting in After Effects also enables the integration of tools, composition markers, and GPU acceleration options. You can find documentation and an overview of the new scripting tools here.
What Else?
Alongside these innovations, Adobe has also improved other functions such as Typekit, character animation, and GPU performance. To keep an eye on the update history, we recommend saving the After Effects page for feature innovations. Here is the page. Adobe is also currently working on a short “In-Depth” series about all the new features in order to present each innovation in a little more detail. The first article from it has already been published.
Price and Download
Not much has changed at Adobe in terms of price; the cost of an individual After Effects subscription is still €23.79 per month. You can find an overview of the product offers here.
