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Rating: 
Summary: AF4 StudioTechniques is a Great Learning Tool
Review: After Effects 4 Studio Techniques by Roderick Harlan is a welcomed addition for those of us working in the broadcast and new media fields! I've been an AE users for several years and found Roderick's book to be a great learning tool. Each chapter is its own project, complete and self contained. This is the first techniques book I've seen that guides you through the process without having to cross-index...a nice touch! There is nothing more annoying than having to search endlessly for techniques that have previously been explored. I also found AE4 Studio Techniques helpful with all the screenshots that correspond with each step. With as many menus and options that the end user much learn, I found his use of screenshots a huge advantage over most "teaching" manuals. This step by step method alone makes Roderick's book a must have for all AE users...regardless of skill!! AE4 Studio Techniques is a well constructed and well thought out book. The effective use of the projects and artwork files at a size of 320x240 pixels makes it usable on any hardware. Building projects is further made easy by the excellent content found on the included CD. AE4 Studio Techniques by Roderick Harlan is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: For a beginner or part-time NLE hobbyist, I'd rate this as a 4 or even a 5. For someone who has been working with AE for awhile, it would probably be a 2 or a 1. I'm more of a beginner, and the book included several projects that I'll be able to customize for use in our high school. Another warning: there are 18 projects, but 8 of them require the EXPENSIVE production bundle. Anyone who needs the production bundle is going to be already more advanced than what this book covers.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a good choice
Review: If you have no idea what After Effects is, maybe this is a good choice. If you are impressed with terrible, fake-looking graphics (eg - you are in the third grade), then this book is a good choice. I made the wrong choice.
Things that are nice about the book: it holds your hand and walks you screen to screen, mouse-click to mouse-click, through the tutorials. If you have NO IDEA what you are doing, this is great.
However, the project examples are so terrible, you have no desire to go through the step-by-step process to get to the lame end-results. Who wants fake red drops of "blood" falling from Halloween text? It takes 15 pages to get to something I could blue screen together in 6 seconds in Premiere to impress my dog, my friend's infant, and maybe some ants.
If you are looking to produce something marketable with After Effects, keep right on looking past this book. But, if you know nothing, nothing at all about After Effects and maybe even computers, this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Not a good choice
Review: If you have no idea what After Effects is, maybe this is a good choice. If you are impressed with terrible, fake-looking graphics (eg - you are in the third grade), then this book is a good choice. I made the wrong choice.
Things that are nice about the book: it holds your hand and walks you screen to screen, mouse-click to mouse-click, through the tutorials. If you have NO IDEA what you are doing, this is great.
However, the project examples are so terrible, you have no desire to go through the step-by-step process to get to the lame end-results. Who wants fake red drops of "blood" falling from Halloween text? It takes 15 pages to get to something I could blue screen together in 6 seconds in Premiere to impress my dog, my friend's infant, and maybe some ants.
If you are looking to produce something marketable with After Effects, keep right on looking past this book. But, if you know nothing, nothing at all about After Effects and maybe even computers, this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Liked It
Review: Instead of reading these reviews, I encourage you to check out the Table Of Contents and other materials that (...) provides. I did and I am very satisfied. I knew exactly what I would be getting in the mail. The Author communicated the material in a clear and concise manner and I LEARNED. I'm even going to join the association that is mentioned (Digital Video Professionals Association) because of all the opportunities they offer. I'm glad I found this book.
Rating:
Summary: Where are the FREE video clips??? (Dishonest Offer)
Review: Man, I can't believe I bought this book. It is only for total beginners but it doesn't say that on the editorial. Not only does it lack anything but simple everyday techniques but it also uses tacky project examples (not that I insulted my self by trying any). Just goes to show, you should always read the Amazon reviews.
Rating:
Summary: Only if you are a beginer
Review: Nothing in this book felt new. But I happen to know AE very well. If you are a begginer then you may really profit. It doesn't go to very advanced levels, and it lacks deep explanations that would allow the user to move fowards rather than imitate. Is more of a cookbook than a learning book.
Rating:
Summary: After ffects Applying After effects
Review: Save your money on this book unless you own the
"Production Bundle" of After effects because a lot of
the projects requjire it and you are not told in the
intro that you need it. This book is a waste of money
for the beginner
Rating:
Summary: the worst after-effects book i read so far
Review: This book has a large quantity of tutorials but no real quality. I was very disappointed when i got it. Not only are the tutorials very basic but also badly designed. When you look at the pictures and the example-movies of the final results it doesn't really make you want to even read how it was done (with a bit of experience with After Effects you'll already know it anyway).
A lot of the free goodies that were supposed to be on the second CD are missing. Don't waste your money on this one. Instead I recommend the books "Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects" and "After Effects in production" by Chris and Trish Meyer as well as the "Classroom in a book"-books for version 4 and 5.
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