Creating a new project file in After Effects is the first step to starting any motion graphics or visual effects work. It's a straightforward process directly accessible from the application's menu.
To make a project file in After Effects, simply navigate to the file menu and select the new project option.
Steps to Create a New After Effects Project
Based on standard After Effects functionality, including information from the provided reference (01-Sept-2024), here is the exact method:
- Launch After Effects: Open the Adobe After Effects application on your computer.
- Access the File Menu: In the menu bar at the top of the After Effects window, click on "File".
- Choose New: From the "File" dropdown menu, hover over or click on "New".
- Select New Project: From the "New" submenu, choose "New Project".
Reference: "To create a project, choose File New New Project."
This action immediately creates a new, empty project file within After Effects, ready for you to import footage, create compositions, and start animating.
What Happens After Creating a New Project?
When you create a new project, After Effects opens a fresh workspace. This workspace is currently unsaved.
- You will typically see panels like Project, Composition, Timeline, Tools, etc.
- The Project panel is where you'll import or create all the elements (footage, audio, images, solids, text layers, etc.) that you'll use in your project.
Saving Your New Project
It's crucial to save your project early and often.
- Go to File > Save As or File > Save.
- Choose a location on your computer.
- Give your project a descriptive name (e.g., "Intro_Animation_v01.aep").
- Click Save.
After Effects project files are saved with the .aep extension. Saving allows you to close After Effects and pick up exactly where you left off later.
Quick Summary Table:
| Action | Menu Path | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Create Project | File > New > New Project | Creates an empty .aep |
| Save Project | File > Save or Save As... | Saves the current work |
Starting a new project is the foundational step for any work in After Effects, providing a clean slate to build your compositions and animations.
