👋 Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly motion design newsletter, where I bring you fresh tutorials, a sneak peak of what’s coming soon, a handy tip, and a random recommendation!

🥳 New

​4 Ways to Stylize Animations in After Effects​

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Learn 4 ways to add properties to layers to change their appearance, or add new ways to animate them. This tutorial is a deep dive into step 4 of my simple 5 step process to create any animation.

​Here are the project files to follow along and a cheat sheet to remember what you learn.

🤫 Want to beta test my new After Effects tool?

I've been building a new After Effects tool, tentatively called the Detail Callout Rig. It creates a rig that’s two circles with an automatically updating triangle connection. Use the small circle to point to a point on a visual and put a zoomed in view in the big circle. The rig is easy to style however you like.

Here's an example of what you can create with the tool:

(Btw, this is part of the the project from my course After Effects, Explained)

I'm looking for a small group of people to test it before launch.

What you'd do:

• Use the tool to create a callout rig.
• You can use your own illustrations/animations from new or old projects, or use stock images/graphics/videos.
• Try stylizing the callout both before and after creating it.
• Send me a video of what you create and/or your AE project file.
• Fill out a feedback form and report any bugs you find.
• Time commitment: about 1–2 hours (or longer if you want) between 10/8 and 10/28.

What you get:

• As long as you complete the feedback form in time, you’ll get a free copy of the Detail Callout Rig (version 1).
• A say in what the tool is called. I'll ask for name ideas!

Who I'm looking for:

Anyone who makes animations/videos in After Effects, at any level.

How to apply:

Fill out the short application by October 7:

I'll email selected testers on October 8 with the download and instructions. Because spots are limited, I can't accept everyone, but I'll follow up either way.

Questions? Just reply to this email.

Thank you for learning and building along with me!

⚡ Quick Tip

If you need to scale your After Effects composition, including all the layers in that composition, here’s an easy way:

• Go to File > Scripts > Scale Composition (this is a script that comes with After Effects)
• From here, you have options for how you want to scale the composition:

👉 Random Recommendation

🎃 It’s officially pumpkin season and the thing I look forward to most this time of year is Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Tortilla Chips. They go great with their Harvest Salsa and I even make nachos with them. This is starting to sound like an ad, but I’m just a fan, and now really hungry. 🤪

I’m also a fan of these Pumpkin Enchiladas 😋

🍁 Also, I've been feeling nostalgic for this fall-themed class I made last year.

Megan Friesth

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