New features and improvements in After Effects CC 2020

Adobe After Effects introduced exciting innovations in graphics and text with its CC 2020 update in November 2019. If you often work with templates or use text units in your projects, the following tips and hints will be useful for you. Let's explore the new features efficiently so you can optimize your workflow.

Key Insights

1. The introduction of a dropdown menu for effects simplifies the editing of templates.
2. The ability to edit text properties using expressions opens up new creative possibilities.
3. The use of alternative text boxes provides flexibility in font selection and handling of text in compositions.

Step-by-Step Guide

Using the Dropdown Menu for Effects

The new dropdown menu for effects is particularly helpful when working with templates. To use this feature, first create a new layer. You can quickly do this by pressing Ctrl + Y.

Once the layer is created, select an effect, such as "Fractal Noise," and drag it onto the newly created layer. After that, you can experiment with mode options, such as "Overlay" or another option of your choice.

Now you will have the opportunity to work with the "Essential Graphics" panel. Go there and start creating your template that you may want to pass on to someone working in Premiere Pro.

The goal is to create a user-friendly template that allows others to make fine adjustments without having to go through complicated processes. By dragging the desired parameters into the Essential Graphics menu, you can create an effective workflow.

Text Editing with Expressions

Another highlight of this update is the integration of text properties that can be edited through expressions. This allows you to dynamically control not only font size but also font type, line spacing, and other properties without having to adjust them manually in each project.

For example, if you have a specific font type or specific requirements from a client, you can now create an expression that takes these standards into account. This saves you the tedious adjustments in each individual composition.

An example of this: You can highlight a text element and change its font to immediately see how the options react in the new setting.

By linking source texts, you can ensure that changes are automatically transferred to other text locations. This significantly optimizes your editing time.

Using Alternative Text Boxes

The option to use alternative text boxes is an excellent addition, especially when working with different fonts and text formats. If a text element is missing or lost in your composition, you can use excess text layers as a fallback.

By activating the properties, you can perform custom font selection and adjustments for font grades. If a text field is missing, you will be supported by an alternative layer so you can continue your work.

Summary – Tracking New Features in After Effects CC 2020

In the November update of After Effects CC 2020, you learned about many new features that refine your handling of graphics and text. Both the improved dropdown menu and the options for editing text properties through expressions and alternative text boxes offer you more flexibility and efficiency in your workflow.