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Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac: A Comprehensive Review
If you are looking for a powerful and versatile software for creating motion graphics and visual effects, you might want to consider Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac. This software is widely used by professionals and hobbyists alike, for producing stunning animations, compositing, keying, tracking, rotoscoping, and more. In this article, we will review Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac in detail, covering its features, functions, benefits, drawbacks, and tips. We will also provide you with some useful resources and tutorials to help you learn and master this software.
Adobe After Effects Cc 2015 For Mac
What is Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac?
A brief introduction to the software and its features
Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is a software application that allows you to create motion graphics and visual effects for film, TV, video, and web. It is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications, which means you can access it from any device with an internet connection. You can also integrate it with other Adobe products, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Audition, Media Encoder, etc.
Some of the features of Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac include:
A rich set of tools for creating shapes, text, masks, solids, cameras, lights, null objects, etc.
A powerful timeline panel that lets you organize your layers, properties, keyframes, expressions, markers, etc.
A flexible composition panel that lets you preview your work in real time, adjust resolution, zoom level, aspect ratio, etc.
A variety of effects and presets that let you apply color correction, distortion, blur, noise reduction, stylization, transitions, etc.
A robust rendering engine that supports multiple formats and codecs, such as QuickTime, AVI, MPEG-4, JPEG sequence, PNG sequence, etc.
A comprehensive animation system that lets you use keyframes, motion paths, graphs, interpolation methods, motion blur, etc.
A sophisticated tracking system that lets you track motion, stabilize footage, apply corner pinning, etc.
A state-of-the-art rotoscoping system that uses artificial intelligence to automatically isolate your subject from the background.
A versatile expression system that lets you use JavaScript to control and link your properties, layers, effects, etc.
A dynamic link system that lets you import and export your projects to other Adobe applications without rendering.
The main differences between After Effects CC 2015 and previous versions
Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is the 13th major version of the software, which was released in June 2015. Compared to the previous versions, it has some notable improvements and additions, such as:
A new face tracker that lets you track and apply effects to facial features, such as eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
A new character animator that lets you animate 2D characters using your webcam and microphone.
A new preview system that lets you adjust the playback quality and speed, and use shortcuts to control the preview.
A new user interface that is more streamlined, modern, and customizable.
A new libraries panel that lets you access and share your assets across different Adobe applications and devices.
A new Adobe Color Themes panel that lets you create and apply color schemes to your projects.
A new Lumetri Color effect that lets you apply cinematic color grading to your footage.
A new Kuler panel that lets you create and apply color themes to your projects.
A new CINEWARE 2.0 that lets you work with 3D scenes from Cinema 4D directly in After Effects.
A new Adobe Stock service that lets you access and purchase millions of high-quality images, videos, and graphics from within After Effects.
How to download and install Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac?
The system requirements and compatibility issues
Before you download and install Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac, you need to make sure that your Mac meets the minimum system requirements for the software. According to Adobe, these are:
Mac OS X v10.9 or later
Intel Core 2 Duo or faster processor (Intel Core i7 or faster recommended)
4 GB of RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
5 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)
Additional disk space for disk cache (10 GB recommended)
1440 x 900 display (1920 x 1080 or larger recommended)
OpenGL 2.0-capable system
QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
Optional: Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
You also need to check the compatibility of Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac with other software and hardware that you use, such as plug-ins, scripts, fonts, drivers, etc. You can find a list of known issues and solutions on the Adobe website. The steps to download and install the software from Adobe website or other sources
There are two main ways to download and install Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac: from the Adobe website or from other sources. Here are the steps for each method:
From the Adobe website:
Go to the Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac product page and click on the "Free Trial" button.
Sign in with your Adobe ID or create one if you don't have one.
Choose your preferred language and platform (Mac OS) and click on the "Download" button.
Wait for the download to complete and then double-click on the installer file to launch it.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Launch Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac and sign in with your Adobe ID to activate the software.
From other sources:
Find a reliable and trustworthy source that offers Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac as a download or a torrent file.
Download the file and make sure it is not corrupted or infected with malware.
Extract the file if it is compressed and then double-click on the installer file to launch it.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Launch Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac and enter the serial number or crack code if required to activate the software.
Note: Downloading and installing Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac from other sources may be illegal, unsafe, or unethical. We do not recommend or endorse this method and we are not responsible for any consequences that may arise from it.
The tips and tricks to optimize the performance and avoid errors
Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is a powerful software that requires a lot of resources and memory to run smoothly. Therefore, you may encounter some issues or errors while using it, such as slow rendering, crashing, freezing, etc. To avoid or fix these problems, you can try some of these tips and tricks:
Update your Mac OS, Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac, and other Adobe applications to the latest versions.
Check your disk space and clear some space if it is running low.
Delete any unnecessary files, cache, preferences, or plug-ins from your After Effects folder.
Close any other applications or processes that are running in the background and consuming CPU, RAM, or GPU resources.
Adjust your memory and multiprocessing settings in After Effects preferences to allocate more memory to the software.
Use lower resolution, frame rate, bit depth, or quality settings for your projects and previews.
Use proxies, pre-rendering, pre-composing, or rendering multiple frames simultaneously to speed up your workflow.
Use GPU-accelerated effects, formats, and features whenever possible.
Avoid using complex expressions, scripts, or effects that may cause errors or conflicts.
Save your projects frequently and back them up regularly.
How to use Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac?
The interface and workflow of the software
Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac has a user-friendly and customizable interface that consists of several panels, menus, and tools. The main panels are:
The project panel, where you can import, organize, and manage your files and assets.
The composition panel, where you can view and edit your compositions and layers.
The timeline panel, where you can arrange and animate your layers and properties.
The effects and presets panel, where you can browse and apply effects and presets to your layers.
The preview panel, where you can control and adjust the preview settings and playback.
The tools panel, where you can access and select the tools for creating and modifying your layers.
The info panel, where you can see the information and status of your cursor, layer, or composition.
The audio panel, where you can monitor and adjust the audio levels of your layers.
You can customize the interface by docking, undocking, resizing, rearranging, or hiding the panels. You can also create and save your own workspace layouts for different purposes.
The basic workflow of Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is as follows:
Import your files and assets into the project panel.
Create a new composition or open an existing one from the project panel.
Add your layers to the composition panel and adjust their position, scale, rotation, opacity, etc.
Add keyframes to your layers in the timeline panel to animate their properties over time.
Add effects and presets to your layers in the effects and presets panel to enhance their appearance or functionality.
Preview your work in the composition panel or the preview panel and make any necessary changes or adjustments.
Render your composition to a video file or export it to another Adobe application using the render queue panel or the file menu.
The basic tools and functions for creating motion graphics and visual effects
Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac has a rich set of tools and functions that you can use to create motion graphics and visual effects. Some of the basic tools and functions are:
The selection tool, which lets you select, move, or transform your layers.
The hand tool, which lets you pan or scroll the composition panel.
The zoom tool, which lets you zoom in or out the composition panel.
The rotation tool, which lets you rotate your layers.
The camera tool, which lets you create and manipulate cameras in your composition.
The pen tool, which lets you create masks, shapes, or paths for your layers.
The text tool, which lets you create and edit text layers.
The brush tool, which lets you paint on your layers using different brushes and modes.
The clone stamp tool, which lets you clone pixels from one layer to another.
The eraser tool, which lets you erase pixels from your layers.
The puppet tool, which lets you deform and animate your layers using pins and meshes.
The shape tool, which lets you create shape layers using different shapes and modes.
The mask feather tool, which lets you adjust the feathering of your masks.
The roto brush tool, which lets you isolate your subject from the background using a brush.
The refine edge tool, which lets you refine the edges of your roto brush selection.
The advanced features and techniques for enhancing your projects
Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac also has some advanced features and techniques that you can use to enhance your projects. Some of them are:
The 3D space, which lets you create and work with 3D layers, cameras, lights, shadows, depth of field, etc.
The ray-traced 3D renderer, which lets you render your 3D layers with realistic lighting and reflections.
The CINEWARE 2.0, which lets you import and work with 3D scenes from Cinema 4D directly in After Effects.
The expressions, which let you use JavaScript to control and link your properties, layers, effects, etc.
The scripts, which let you automate and customize your tasks and workflow in After Effects.
The plug-ins, which let you extend the functionality and features of After Effects with third-party software.
The presets, which let you save and apply predefined settings for your effects, animations, etc.
The templates, which let you use pre-made projects or compositions for your own purposes.
How to learn Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac?
The best resources and tutorials for beginners and experts
Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is a complex and powerful software that requires a lot of learning and practice to master. Fortunately, there are many resources and tutorials available online that can help you learn and improve your skills. Some of the best resources and tutorials are:
The official Adobe website, which offers a comprehensive guide, a user manual, a help center, a blog, a forum, and a YouTube channel for After Effects.
The Adobe Education Exchange, which offers free courses, workshops, projects, and badges for learning After Effects.
The Lynda.com website, which offers hundreds of video courses and tutorials for After Effects, covering different levels, topics, and features.
The Video Copilot website, which offers free tutorials, plug-ins, presets, and projects for After Effects, focusing on motion graphics and visual effects.
The Creative COW website, which offers free tutorials, articles, podcasts, forums, and newsletters for After Effects and other Adobe products.
The School of Motion website, which offers paid courses, bootcamps, podcasts, blogs, and resources for learning motion design with After Effects.
The online communities and forums for getting help and feedback
Another way to learn Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is to join online communities and forums where you can get help and feedback from other users and experts. Some of the online communities and forums are:
The official Adobe forum for After Effects, where you can ask questions, answer questions, share tips, report bugs, request features, etc.
The Reddit subreddit for After Effects, where you can post your work, ask for feedback, share tutorials, resources, news, etc.
The Facebook group for After Effects users, where you can connect with other users, share your work, ask for help, etc.
The Discord server for After Effects users, where you can chat with other users, get instant help, join voice channels, etc.
The Behance network for After Effects users, where you can showcase your work, discover other users' work, follow them, appreciate them, etc.
The examples and inspiration from other users and professionals
Finally, one of the best ways to learn Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is to watch and study the examples and inspiration from other users and professionals. You can find many examples and inspiration on various websites and platforms, such as:
The official Adobe website gallery for After Effects users' work.
The Vimeo channel for After Effects users' work.
The YouTube channel for After Effects users' work.
The Dribbble website for motion design work.
The Motionographer website for motion design work.
Conclusion
A summary of the main points and benefits of Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac
In conclusion, Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is a great software for creating motion graphics and visual effects for various purposes and platforms. It has many features and functions that allow you to create stunning animations, compositing, keying, tracking, rotoscoping, and more. It also has some improvements and additions compared to the previous versions, such as the face tracker, the character animator, the new preview system, the new user interface, the new libraries panel, the new Lumetri Color effect, etc.
Some of the benefits of Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac are:
It is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications, which means you can access it from any device with an internet connection and integrate it with other Adobe products.
It has a user-friendly and customizable interface that lets you work efficiently and comfortably.
It has a powerful rendering engine that supports multiple formats and codecs, and lets you render your projects to a video file or export them to another Adobe application without rendering.
It has a comprehensive animation system that lets you use keyframes, motion paths, graphs, interpolation methods, motion blur, etc.
It has a sophisticated tracking system that lets you track motion, stabilize footage, apply corner pinning, etc.
It has a state-of-the-art rotoscoping system that uses artificial intelligence to automatically isolate your subject from the background.
It has a versatile expression system that lets you use JavaScript to control and link your properties, layers, effects, etc.
It has a dynamic link system that lets you import and work with 3D scenes from Cinema 4D directly in After Effects.
It has a rich set of effects and presets that let you apply color correction, distortion, blur, noise reduction, stylization, transitions, etc.
It has a variety of tools and functions that let you create shapes, text, masks, solids, cameras, lights, null objects, etc.
A call to action and a recommendation for the readers
If you are interested in Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac and want to try it out for yourself, you can download a free trial from the Adobe website or purchase a subscription plan that suits your needs and budget. You can also find more information and resources on the Adobe website or other online platforms that we mentioned earlier in this article.
We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive review of Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac and helped you learn more about its features, functions, benefits, drawbacks, and tips. We highly recommend this software for anyone who wants to create motion graphics and visual effects for film, TV, video, and web. It is a powerful and versatile software that can help you unleash your creativity and imagination.
FAQs
Q1. How much does Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac cost?
A1. Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac is available as a single app or as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications. The single app plan costs $20.99 per month or $239.88 per year. The Creative Cloud suite plan costs $52.99 per month or $599.88 per year. You can also get discounts if you are a student, teacher, or business user.
Q2. Can I use Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac with other Adobe products?
A2. Yes, you can use Adobe After Effects CC 2015 for Mac with other Adobe products, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Audition, Media Encoder, etc. You can import and export your projects to these applications using the dynamic link system or the render queue panel. You