Can I Learn After Effects For Free?

While it’s possible to learn the basics of After Effects for free using online seminars, YouTube videos, and tutorials on Adobe’s website, mastering this powerful motion graphics software requires more structured training like that provided by live classes. Free resources can teach you the fundamental concepts, but they lack the depth and interactivity needed to develop advanced skills. Live online and in-person courses offer distinct advantages, including personalized feedback from experienced instructors, hands-on projects that mimic real-world scenarios, and a structured curriculum that ensures comprehensive skill development. These guided learning experiences help students navigate After Effects’ complex features like advanced compositing, 3D animation, and expression scripting more efficiently than self-study alone.

What Free Resources Are Available for Learning After Effects?

Several free resources are available for those looking for an introduction to the basics of After Effects or the general skill sets of motion graphics and video editing. Noble Desktop offers free seminars that provide a solid foundation in After Effects and other tools and skill sets helpful for an After Effects user. YouTube is also an excellent resource for videos from various creators, including Video Copilot, School of Motion, and Noble Desktop, which feature in-depth tutorials, overviews of the basics, related industry updates, and general guidance for After Effects learners. 

Adobe’s website also provides a wealth of beginner-friendly resources, including step-by-step guides and video walkthroughs that cover the softwares fundamentals. Meanwhile, working designers and video editing professionals publish helpful blog posts, and training schools like Noble Desktop offer educational articles on After Effects that are especially helpful for new learners in mapping out their educational path. All these resources are typically the most beneficial for learners at the beginning of their journey, especially those curious about the application, deciding to what depth they want to learn it, or beginning to chart out a plan for a comprehensive education in After Effects. YouTube videos, blogs, and podcasts can also be helpful for more advanced learners or even seasoned users of the application, as they often feature commentary and how-tos surrounding the latest software updates and the latest related industry news.

How to Make Use of Free After Effects Resources

Students should approach their learning strategically to get the most out of free After Effects resources. Beginners will want to start by setting clear goals, such as understanding the interface or mastering basic animation techniques. Seeking tutorials that align with their specific objectives will help learners achieve their goals, remaining focused and discerning, especially paying attention to the dates their resources were released and the trustworthiness of their creators. 

When setting their learning goals and mapping out their After Effects training, learners will want to remember to keep the expectations realistic regarding what they can achieve with free resources. They tend to lack the depth, structure, guidance, and comprehensiveness to provide a comprehensive education, though they can be helpful in answering aspiring learner’s initial questions about what After Effects is, why to learn After Effects, and how to learn After Effects. 

In addition to helping learners understand some of the application's foundational concepts before choosing the right After Effects class for their goals, free resources can also be valuable supplements to the training they receive in a live online or in-person class. After Effects students can consult free resources for answers to questions that arise while doing homework and practicing their motion graphics skills at home or look to them for alternative explanations of concepts, tips, and techniques ranging from understanding keyframes to activating the 3D camera in After Effects and beyond.

Limitations of Free Resources

While free resources are excellent for getting started, they have their limitations. Free tutorials, seminars, and YouTube videos can provide a reasonable foundation for learning After Effects and answer the occasional question. However, they lack the depth and structure necessary for mastering advanced techniques. They also do not provide the hands-on guidance or real-time feedback vital for comprehending and retaining advanced techniques and challenging situations requiring complex problem-solving.

Another limitation of free resources is their potential for being inundated with outdated information. Software like After Effects is frequently updated, and free resources will not always reflect the latest features and best practices. After Effects learners attempting to rely solely on free materials are highly likely to miss out on up-to-date guidance and find they often encounter significant gaps in their knowledge as they try to create dynamic motion graphics and visual effects with the application.

What to Do After Utilizing Free After Effects Resources

After mastering the basics through free resources, learners will likely wish to invest in paid, live After Effects classes to build on this initial introduction to their desired level of proficiency. Live online or in-person courses, such as those offered by Noble Desktop, provide students access to live expert instructors, the accountability of set schedules, and proven curricula. These features create a structured learning experience that ensures students learn all necessary topics comprehensively and systematically, minimizing the risk of knowledge gaps. Interacting with a live instructor allows for real-time feedback and personalized guidance, both invaluable for mastering advanced compositing, 3D animation, and other complex techniques within After Effects. 

Live classes like Noble Desktop’s After Effects Bootcamp offer hands-on projects and practical exercises that mirror real-world scenarios. This practical experience is crucial for building confidence and competence in After Effects. Additionally, the community aspect of live classes fosters networking opportunities and peer support, which can be beneficial for career development.

For those aiming to use their new After Effects expertise to launch a professional career in motion graphics or video editing, enrolling in comprehensive career-focused certificate programs or bootcamps can be particularly beneficial. These provide in-depth training in After Effects and other skills an individual needs to know, depending upon their specific focus. Noble Desktop’s Motion Graphics Certificate and their Video Editing Certificate are a few options available for individuals hoping to use After Effects in one of these professions. Many of these programs—including Noble Desktop’s—provide not only training but also career support services such as portfolio development assistance, one-on-one mentorship, interview prep, and resume-building support.

Learn After Effects with Noble Desktop

Since 1990, Noble Desktop has provided high-quality, instructor-led design and coding training for NYC-based learners. Today, they offer their several After Effects courses in-person at their Midtown Manhattan location and live online, so students can benefit from a Noble education wherever they may live. Here is a selection of After Effects classes Noble Desktop offers to help learners achieve their specific learning goals. 

Noble Desktop offers an 18-hour After Effects Bootcamp suitable for beginners as well as long-time users of the application who would like to fill some gaps in their knowledge. Experienced instructors will lead you through a proven curriculum featuring lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises to ensure you master and retain the skills you learn in the program. Tuition covers several perks, including Noble’s proprietary workbook, a free retake option, one bonus one-on-one mentorship session, and a verified digital certificate of completion. The After Effects bootcamp covers all of the essentials of the application, from the basics to more advanced animation techniques like greenscreen removal and motion tracking. By the time you complete the bootcamp, you’ll be an adept After Effects user, able to transform images and text into animations, join clips with transitions, integrate video footage in your projects, and confidently create motion graphics and animation projects using the application’s many features.

Another After Effects class available at Noble Desktop is their After Effects Certification Program, which features comprehensive training in the application, six one-on-one tutoring hours, and other resources to help you earn your Adobe Certified Professional in After Effects certification. Professionals and aspiring professionals in animation, motion graphics, video production, or design can level up in their current careers or land an entry-level job with this certification, which you’ll earn by passing an exam verifying your expertise in the motion graphics software. Tuition for this program covers this exam fee, a free retake of the exam if needed, Noble’s After Effects Bootcamp and After Effects Advanced course to provide you with the training you need to pass the exam, a free program retake, and a verified digital certificate of completion. 

Alternatively, if you’re interested in looking for an After Effects class to help you get started in a career in video editing, motion graphics, or animation, you may wish to invest in Noble Desktop’s Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate program as an all-in-one education to help you land your first entry-level job. This comprehensive program includes 126 hours of training in After Effects, Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition, Cinema 4D in After Effects, Photoshop, and the essential concepts and best practices of video editing and motion graphics. Whether you attend part-time or full-time, the training includes eight one-on-one mentorship sessions to use as career support, guidance in building a professional portfolio, the option to retake the program within a year, and a verified digital certificate of completion.