Topic A: Introduction & Workflow

• The Motion Pipeline: From Storyboard to Final Render.
• Interface Tour: Project Panel, Composition Panel, Timeline, and Layer Controls.
• Composition Settings: Resolution (1080p vs 4K), Frame Rates (24fps vs 30fps vs 60fps), and Duration.
• Importing Assets: Organising the Project panel and importing Illustrator/Photoshop files properly.

Topic B: Layers & The “Big 5” Properties

• Layer Types: Solids, Text, Shapes, and Null Objects.
• Transform Properties: Anchor Point (A), Position (P), Scale (S), Rotation (R), Opacity (T).
• Keyframing 101: Setting, moving, and deleting keyframes. The stopwatch icon.

Topic C: Timing & Rendering Basics

• Timing: How the distance between keyframes affects speed.
• RAM Preview: Previewing animation smoothly (Spacebar vs. Numpad 0).
• Rendering (The Easy Way): Using the native Render Queue to export MP4 (H.264) directly. Understanding “Output Module” settings.

Topic A: The Power of Shape Layers

• Creating Shapes: Rectangles, Ellipses, Stars, and Pen Tool paths.
• Shape Modifiers: The “Add” menu (Trim Paths, Repeater, Zig Zag).
• Spotlight: Using Trim Paths to create self-drawing lines and borders.

Topic B: Kinetic Typography (Text Animation)

• Text Animators: Beyond basic keyframes. Using Range Selectors to animate letters individually (Tracking, Opacity, Scale).
• Presets: How to browse, apply, and customise built-in text presets.

Topic C: Masking & Mattes

• Masking: Using the Pen tool to hide/reveal parts of a layer.
• Track Mattes: Alpha Matte vs. Luma Matte. Using one layer (like a shape) to cut a hole in another (like a video).

Topic A: The Graph Editor (Refining Motion)

• Easing: Easy Ease (F9) vs. Linear Keyframes.
• The Speed Graph: Adjusting handles to create “Snappy” or “Smooth” motion.
• Motion Blur: Enabling motion blur for realism.

Topic B: Hierarchy & Parenting (Basic Rigging)

• Parenting: The “Pickwhip” tool. Linking layers so they move together.
• Null Objects: Using invisible controllers to manage groups of layers (e.g., moving a whole car by parenting wheels and body to a Null).
• Simple Expressions: Using loopOut() to make animations repeat forever automatically.

Topic C: 2.5D Space (3D Layers)

• 3D Switch: Turning 2D layers into 3D objects (X, Y, Z axes).
• Cameras: Creating a Camera layer to fly through a scene.
• Lights: Spotlights vs. Point lights and casting simple shadows.

Topic A: AI-Assisted Workflow (Using Gemini)

• Ideation: Using Gemini (Free Tier) to generate scripts for Explainer Videos or concepts for Motion Graphics.
  • Prompt Example: “Write a 15-second script for a motion graphics ad selling a futuristic sneaker.”
• Expression Debugging: Copy-pasting error codes or complex expression requests into Gemini to get instant fixes.
• Visual Planning: Using AI to generate text-based descriptions for storyboards.

Topic B: Effects & Colour Correction

• Adjustment Layers: Applying effects (like Noise or Curves) to the entire timeline at once.
• Stylisation: Using “Glow,” “Drop Shadow,” and “Gaussian Blur” to add polish.
• Transitions: Creating simple transitions (Slide, Wipe) manually instead of using presets.