After FX file management and workflow

Basic AfterFX workflow:

1. Import and organize footage
2. Create, arrange and composite layers in a composition
3. Modify and animate the layer properties
4. Add effects, modify and animate the effects properties
5. Preview
6. Render and export

File management:

After FX is a program that allows you to animate pictures, video and sound. When you save an AfterFX project, AfterFX saves the compositions, effects, and keyframes you have created.

It does NOT save the media (pictures, sounds, video) you are using. You are responsible for managing these assets.

The best ways to do this:

1. Work off your local computer's hard drive. Save all assets and project files to this local drive.

2. At the end of the day, back up your project and media files by copying them to a flash drive, drop box, or other form of storage.

When saving media and project files, using an organized folder structure is extremely helpful. Below is the folder structure I use for my projects.

Project One...

>Input->

>Project Files

>Media Files->

>Images

>Movies

>Sounds

>Output->

>Renders