how to make your first edit || after effects beginner tutorial

In this tutorial, I'll do a full walkthrough with voiceover explanations on how you can make a simple beginner-style edit in after effects. I'll cover everything from how to start your project to creating some basic smooth transitions in a sequence so that you'll be ready to start making your own edits by yourself in the future!

I've provided a pre-made 'base edit' (where the clips are already laid out in time with the audio) so that you can follow along with me with the exact same clips if you wish (recommended).

The song in the base edit is an instrumental version of Daddy Issues by The Neighbourhood

☆ timestamps
0:00 intro
0:34 starting a new project
1:03 importing clips
1:45 explaining the workspace
3:16 duplicating + splitting clips
4:24 separating clips from audio
4:58 using markers
6:12 cutting clips
6:36 motion blur + motion tile
8:53 scale transition
10:57 y slide transition
14:18 180 degree rotation transition
16:02 scale/zoom out transition
17:14 scale/zoom in transition
19:16 x slide transition
20:42 copy/pasting transitions
21:49 zoom out + 90 degree rotation
23:37 zoom in
24:08 scale in/out + loop explanation
25:10 testing the loop
26:02 optional flashes
28:08 fixing a transition
28:39 pre-composition explanation + looping
30:08 exporting (ae cc 2017)
31:24 outro

Given that beginner AE tutorials are so prevalent now, I wanted to take a different approach to the process, focusing less on a full overview of the entire program in favour of the necessary components needed to make a simple ‘first time’ edit. This is mostly based on my personal experience learning AE as I remember wanting to know how to make transitions from one clip to another in a sequence rather than focus on one at a time, which is what this tutorial is mainly intended to address.

If you’re looking for a broader take on AE with information on other aspects not covered in this video, there are many other beginner tutorials around that should be able to help you out!

★ where can you find me?

☆ what do I use to edit?
— after effects cc 2017
— final cut pro x

★ songs
— Highball (Prod. by Lukrembo)

☆ Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

[starknstrange]

*use the delete key on your keyboard to delete stuff* didn't explain this one cause I though it was self explanatory but it's just like you would delete anything else with a computer, nothing too complicated, just select and delete!

[mina]

FINALLY, someone who is actually helpful, I had to learn on my own-

[bubblykamii]

S = Scale
When your video/photo is too zoomed in or zoomed out click on it and then click S to scale it to its original size (e.g. if it’s at 100 then change it to a lower number so its zoomed out)

R = Rotation
Rotates the video/photo

A = Anchor Point
I’m not really sure about how to explain this one 😳

P = Position
Changes the position

T = Opacity
Adjusts opacity

M = Masks
Shows masks in a certain video/photo

F = Feather
Feathers out the masked video/photo (doesn’t work on unmasked video/photos

U = Keyframes
Brings up keyframes

Mac; CMD
Win; CTRL

CMD/CTRL+Shift+D = Splits clips
Splits one clip into two

CMD/CTRL + S = Save
Saves your project to avoid losing any process you’ve already done

Space bar = Play / Pause Button
Plays or pauses the project you’re making

V = Selection Tool

H = Hand Tool

Z = Zoom Tool

G = Pen Tool

CMD/CTRL + B = Brush Tool

CMD/CTRL + C = Copy

CMD/CTRL + V = Paste

J = Goes to previous keyframe

K = Goes to next keyframe

LL = Waveform

L = Audio

Select Keyframe + OPT/ALT + move = Drag to retime

B = Crop the work area from the start

N = Crop the work area from the end

I = Moves time indicator to first keyframe

O = Moves time indicator to last keyframe

F9 (or fn + F9 + select keyframe = easy ease

CMD/CTRL + C = Pre-compose

[justhayn]

I'm being serious to learning with OH DEAR THE VOICE 🥺🥺🥺

[tresorkuh]

We need a part 2 pls!
- how to add rsmb
- how to add effects
- idk but I heard you can put compositions into a file * confusion *
- more easy beginner transitions
- how to add shakes

Girl I love your voice 🥺
keep going this amazing work <3

[yuh]

YOU ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE ONLY ONE (not exagerrating) TUTORIALS OUT THERE THAT MADE AA FEELS EASY. all of my basic questions (that other videos doesnt answer) has been answered. thank you so much <333

[ーいのすけ]

This is really one of the best tutorial for beginners, I've been editing on alight motion for 2 years so I know how to use key frame and graphs but it's actually pretty different!

[yangqi]

why are people who have the name "Lauren" so talented 😭💞 (iykyk)

[oxygen]

Just wanted to say tysm you're amazing. I watched so many AE tutorials but none of them were as simple to follow and as useful for a beginner as yours. You don't know how much this helped me holy crap

[agoodgirlsguidetotaylorswift]

HOW DID YOU ACTUALLY MAKE SUCH A GOOD TUTORIAL THAT I MANAGED TO MAKE A HALF DECENT EDIT IN AE-
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[masenta]

I needed this so bad...my favourite ae tutorial ever, thank you so much for this!

[Sofia-mqwe]

i watched a lot of ae tutorials but this is the one that helped me most. i made my first edit (well technically second) because of you, thank you so much!!

[SadSoul.nobody]

I'm Being Serious To Learning With You...
OHH DEAR Your Voice And Way Of Talking 💫🥺🥺🥺

[_roadworkahead__]

I’ve been trying to use ae for so long and was always confused with so many clicks and taps but this actually helped

[SadSoul.nobody]

Your Voice Kept Me Watching This Video 💫

[paigebittencourt]

am i watching this knowing damn well i’ve been editing on ae for almost 3 years? of COURSE BESTIE

[jnadm]

FINALLYY someone who really can teach beginners the BASICS.

[lovkeigo]

3 years ago this video taught me how to edit with ae. been editing ever since and i will NEVER forget it

[RemedieX]

I've edited on AE a bit before, but now I'm taking it seriously as a hobby because it's fun to me. This video is an amazing way to quickly and easily get into it.

[chiarasaur]

im a simple girl
i see bucky and ae?



*i click*