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How do I change the color space in After Effects?

Published in Color Management 3 mins read

You change the color space in After Effects by assigning a working color space, also known as the project working space, within the Project Settings.

Here's a breakdown of how to do it:

Changing the Project Working Space

  1. Open Project Settings: Go to File > Project Settings.

  2. Navigate to the Color Tab: In the Project Settings dialog box, select the Color tab.

  3. Choose a Working Space: In the Working Space dropdown menu, choose the color space you want to use for your project. Common options include:

    • sRGB IEC61966-2.1: A standard color space commonly used for web graphics.
    • Adobe RGB (1998): A wider gamut color space, offering a broader range of colors, often used for print work.
    • Rec. 709: The standard color space for HDTV.
    • DCI-P3: A color space often used for digital cinema.
    • Display P3: A common color space for modern displays.

  4. Understanding Color Management Settings:

    • Match Legacy After Effects QuickTime Gamma: Enable this to emulate older After Effects versions when using QuickTime files. Generally, it's best to leave this unchecked for new projects, as it can cause gamma issues.

    • Compensate for Scene-referred Profiles: This setting helps maintain color consistency when working with scene-referred color profiles (like ACES). It helps to map highlights and shadows accurately. Enable if you're working with log footage or other scene-referred workflows.

    • Linearize Working Space: When checked, After Effects will perform all color calculations in a linear color space. This is crucial for effects that involve color manipulation and compositing because it produces more accurate and realistic results, especially with lighting and shadows. Linearizing your working space is generally recommended for advanced workflows.

  5. Save Your Settings: Click OK to save your changes.

Important Considerations

  • Color Profiles: When you import footage, After Effects uses color management to convert colors from the source's color space (if defined) to the project's working space. You can assign a color profile to footage manually in the Interpret Footage dialog (File > Interpret Footage > Main).

  • Output: When you render your final video, you can choose a different color space for the output in the Render Settings. This allows you to target a specific delivery platform (e.g., Rec. 709 for broadcast, sRGB for web).

  • Color Differences: Changing your working space will affect how colors appear in your composition. It's crucial to choose the appropriate color space before you start working on your project. Switching color spaces mid-project can lead to inconsistent results.

  • Color Depth: Consider the color depth (bits per channel) of your project (8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit). Higher bit depths allow for more color information and reduce banding artifacts. You can find these settings in the project settings, next to where you set the working color space.

By understanding these settings, you can accurately manage the color space in After Effects to achieve the desired look and feel for your projects.

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