Adobe After Effects 5.5 Standard

After Effects 5.5 introduces multiple 2-D and 3-D views, allowing users to view a composition from several perspectives simultaneously. A new Effects palette that helps users easily organize and apply effects is also introduced. Users can now view all of the installed effects and easily scroll through the list before making a selection. In addition, the effects window is completely customizable, letting users view effects based on their own criteria or by category. This version also introduces an assortment of new effects, including projection layers, colored shadows, a color stabilizer, advanced lightning, grid, roughen edges, four-color gradients, and cell pattern effects. With the new effects, users will have increased control over lighting properties and access to more than 90 effects in total.

After Effects 5.5 has also improved the input and output options not available in earlier versions of After Effects. Advanced RealMedia export now allows users to export files directly into the RealMedia format. Users can easily create RealMedia streaming or Web downloadable files that support RealVideo and RealAudio. Users can also import Flash and MPEG-1 files into their compositions. 3-D camera data import from Maya, 3ds max, and 16-bit-per-channel formats such as Maya IFF, QuickTime, RPF, and SGI files are also supported. This allows users to work more efficiently and achieve professional-quality results for film, video, multimedia, and the Web. Artists and designers can now import RLA and RPF data directly into After Effects 5.5 to match 3-D shots exactly, thus quickly creating complete environments.

This latest version of After Effects allows artists and designers to work more efficiently and with more media formats than ever before. Adobe After Effects 5.5 provides native support for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows XP platforms. After Effects 5.5 is also optimized for the Intel Pentium 4 processor.

For this newest release of After Effects, users can expect to see extensive plug-in support and new productivity enhancements. Overall, Adobe After Effects 5.5 introduces an impressive array of new features and tighter integration with other Adobe products. --Rich Ting

Amazon.com Product Description
Adobe After Effects 5.5 delivers a comprehensive set of tools to efficiently produce motion graphics and visual effects for film, video, multimedia, and the Web. The Standard version provides core compositing, animation, and effects tools. After Effects offers a high level of integration with Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator to produce professional results. New features include controls to manipulate lighting in 3-D compositions, easier application of effects, and versatile import and output options. And now get native support for Mac OS X.

After Effects 5.5 features increased control over lighting properties, allowing users to cast colored shadows or simulate the effects of stained glass. Create spotlights that cast light in the shape of stars or logos. After Effects 5.5 also includes eight new effects, giving you more than 90 effects to use alone or in combination to produce looks that are tailored for any project. And now you can apply effects more efficiently and organize them however you like with the new effects palette. Just drag and drop effects from the palette and arrange them using customized folders or list them alphabetically.

After Effects 5.5 offers more import and output options. Create RealMedia streaming or Web download files that support RealVideo, RealAudio, and RealVideo with audio. Get support for work in 16-bit-per-channel formats such as Maya IFF, QuickTime, RPF, and SGI files. Import Macromedia Flash files and MPEG-1 files to use in your compositions. Cross-media delivery of high-quality digital content with After Effects has never been easier or more flexible.