THE BEGINNER EDIT / 01
A small, deliberate path from your first keyframe to an animation you can share. Learn one thing. Make something with it. Keep going.
12 lessons • Free to watch • No KEYFRAME account needed
0 of 12 lessons complete
WATCH → PRACTICE → MAKE IT YOURS
Follow the order, or revisit a skill.
Mark a lesson complete after trying the exercise.
12 lessons
8:11
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Create a composition and get comfortable with the workspace.
Before you start: No experience needed
Make a five-second composition. Add a solid, rename it, and save your project.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Get Started in Adobe After Effects - AE Fundamentals
4:38
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Import media without turning your project into a pile of missing files.
Before you start: After lesson 01
Create folders for footage, audio, and compositions. Import one image and rename it.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Import and Organize Files in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
14:25
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Understand keyframes, timing, and spacing.
Before you start: After lessons 01–02
Animate a square from left to right. Move the second keyframe closer and compare the speed.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Setting Keyframes to Create Animations in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
7:00
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Understand why a layer rotates or scales from the wrong place.
Before you start: After lesson 03
Rotate a rectangle around its center, then around its bottom edge. Compare the results.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Adjust Anchor Points in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
13:00
MiddyAtif
Compare the speed and value graphs and shape your easing.
Before you start: Comfortable setting keyframes
Make three versions of the same move: linear, Easy Ease, and a custom curve.
Includes an AEJuice sponsor segment. Focus on the built-in Graph Editor lesson.
Original video: Graph Editor for Beginners – After Effects Tutorial That Actually Makes Sense
15:47
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Work with fills, strokes, paths, and shape transforms.
Before you start: After lessons 03–04
Draw a simple line icon and animate its stroke appearing. Use only native shape tools.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Animate Shape Layers in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
7:04
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Create, style, and animate a text layer.
Before you start: After lesson 03
Animate your name into frame. Make a second version with a different entrance.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Animating Text in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
6:20
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Use parenting and nulls to control a group of layers.
Before you start: After lessons 03–04
Parent a title and two shapes to one null. Move the group while retaining their own animation.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Parent Layers & Properties in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
7:03
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Create and animate masks to control a layer’s visibility.
Before you start: After lessons 03 and 06
Reveal a word with an animated rectangular mask. Try changing the feather.
Video interfaces may look different from your version of After Effects.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Create & Animate Masks in After Effects - AE Fundamantals
12:37
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Use alpha and luma mattes, including the newer matte controls.
Before you start: After lesson 09
Reveal a title with a separate shape layer, then animate the title independently.
Uses the track matte controls introduced in After Effects 2023.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: Create & Animate Mattes in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
10:58
Animation Explained · Megan Friesth
Understand the render queue, formats, and transparency.
Before you start: Have a short animation ready
Export your five-second animation as an MP4 and play it outside After Effects.
Direct H.264 export shown is for After Effects 2023 or newer. Older versions use Media Encoder.
Read the creator’s illustrated notes ↗Original video: How to Render Video Files in After Effects - AE Fundamentals
135:12
TipTut
Follow a longer motion-design project with text, shapes, and animation.
Before you start: Complete the foundations first
Work through one chapter at a time. Then change the type, colors, and timing to make your own version.
A longer follow-up project, not a first-day introduction. Set aside several practice sessions.
Original video: Complete Intro to Motion Design | FULL AFTER EFFECTS COURSE
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THE NEXT FRAME IS YOURS
Build a five-second title with two shapes, a reveal, and movement you designed. Export it. If you get stuck, revisit just that lesson.
The videos are free to watch; Adobe After Effects itself requires a license or trial. Some creators offer optional paid resources or request an email for downloads. These are independent creators, not KEYFRAME instructors.
This path was selected from creator lesson notes, descriptions, and chapter information. Video availability and duration checked September 29, 2026; lessons have not all been watched end to end. The order and practice tasks are KEYFRAME’s editorial recommendations.