User Guide

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ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 5.0
User Guide
F-stop A number representing the ratio of the focal length to aperture. Most cameras
specify aperture size using the f-stop measurement; thus, many photographers prefer to
set the aperture size in f-stop units. When you specify new values for the f-stop setting, the
values for aperture change dynamically to match it.
Blur Level Controls the amount of depth-of-field blur in an image. A setting of 100%
creates a natural blur as dictated by the camera settings. Lower values reduce the blur.
Film Size The size of the exposed area of film, which is directly related to the composition
size. When you specify new values for film size, the zoom changes to match the perspective
of a real camera.
Focal Length In After Effects’ camera model, the distance from the film plane to the
camera lens. In After Effects, the camera’s position represents the center of the lens. When
you specify new values for the focal length, the zoom changes to match the perspective of
a real camera.
Units The units of measurement in which the camera setting values are expressed.
Measure Film Size The dimensions used to depict the film size.
Understanding camera Transform properties
Cameras can be animated in 3D space just like 3D layers. Use the Camera Transform
properties to change the angle and distance of the composition view. Cameras have all the
Transform properties that a layer has, except for scale and anchor point, and are adjusted
just like other 3D Transform properties (see “Setting and animating a layer property in the
Timeline window” on page 187 for information on adjusting Transform properties in the
Timeline window). Cameras also add a transform value called the point of interest.
The point of interest is the spot in the composition at which the camera points. It is indi-
cated by the point of interest icon in the Composition window. By default, the point of
interest is the center of the composition, and the camera’s view is auto-oriented to it. You
can have the camera continue to point at the point of interest as it changes position, have
the camera’s view oriented toward the motion path, or turn off orientation altogether,
thereby freeing the camera’s view from any related element. You can adjust the point of
interest only if the camera is auto-oriented toward the point of interest.
UG.book Page 295 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM