Optimize the Pipeline

Optimize the Pipeline

Optimize the Pipeline

This chapter examines how image data fl ows through an

After Effects project in detail. That may not sound gripping

until you realize how much your creativity is hampered

by remaining ignorant of this stuff.

Sometimes you take the attitude of a master chef—you

know what can be prepped and considered “done” before

the guests are in the restaurant and it’s time to assemble

the piece de resistance. At other times, you’re more like a

programmer, isolating and debugging elements of a project,

even creating controlled tests to fi gure out how things

are working. This chapter helps you artistically and technically,

as if the two can be separated.

Once you

. Understand how to use multiple compositions

. Know when to precompose

. Know how to optimize rendering time

you may fi nd the After Effects experience closer to what

you might call “real-time.” Effi cient rendering, however,

depends on well-organized compositions and the ability to

plan for bottlenecks and other complications.

Multiple Compositions, Multiple Projects

It’s easy to lose track of stuff when projects get complicated.

This section demonstrates

. How and why to create a project template

. How to keep a complex, multiple-composition pipeline

organized

. Shortcuts to help orient you quickly

These tips are especially useful if you’re someone who

knows compositing well but fi nd After Effects disorienting

at times.