After Effects - Comp sizes & workflow

[Spot]

Chuck I see that you use AE so I guess this is primarily directed to you. I'm trying to teach myself AE CS3 (learning curve = STEEP). I have read various AE forums but this is a much simpler question than you see on those!

When starting a new project in AE do you always set the project & comp sizes to match the final output? For example 90% of my projects will end up on PAL DVD so should I set both sizes to PAL DV at the start?

If I wanted to pan & zoom around a large image (say 2000x1000) would I import this into a PAL DV size comp or initially drag it into a new comp which will blow out the size?

If I sound a bit confused it's because I am!! I'm only used to using PREL etc. and the workflow in AE has got me twisted.

Cheers
JohnB

[Chuck Engels]

I always start with a standard DV-NTSC project, create what I am looking for and then render the output to first NTSC and then I change the Render Output to Scale to DV-PAL and output again. I always bring the finished work into a NTSC and PAL project in Premiere Elements to make sure they look ok. I have even used Premiere Elements to export my PAL files.

You may need to experiment with a couple of small project just to see how they come out when you render them. For learning After Effects be sure to check out The Cow http://www.creativecow.net/articles/aftereffects.html

And here are some others;

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials.html
http://www.studiodaily.com/main/minisit ... /5129.html
http://www.digitaljuice.com/magazine/ar ... edrops.asp
http://www.hv-designs.co.uk/tutorials/photo_jump.php
http://www.adobetutorialz.com/articles/ ... oto-effect
http://blogs.adobe.com/bobddv/2006/09/s ... kurns.html
http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/ReadArt ... leID=12230

[Spot]

Thanks Chuck, great info as always.
I'll be doing some experimenting soon. I'm still a bit confused about the difference between project size and comp size.
Thanks also for the links... Andrew Kramer at Videocopilot does fantastic tutorials (free) and is pretty entertaining to listen to!
Cheers
JB