# Adobe After Effects

## Requirements

* Adobe After Effects 2025

### Downloads

You can download the latest Adobe After Effects Project from our github repository here:

{% embed url="<https://github.com/Looking-Glass/HLD-Templates/blob/main/Adobe/Alcove.aep>" %}

Our After Effects template provides automated masking, safe areas, shadows, and reflections. All the effects will update automatically once you've replaced the main composition.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
In our experience, Adobe Premiere Pro's `UltraKey` effect can provide a cleaner chromakey than After Effect's built-in options. You may find a better workflow first importing content to Premiere, using `UltraKey` and then pulling it back into After Effects.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Compositions and Layers

The After Effects template is based off of three key components.&#x20;

* **Animation** - this will contain your content, and also be used for the shadow and reflection components.
* **Add Shadow** - builds off of the main composition and adds a shadow effect.
* **Add Reflection** - builds off the main composition and adds a reflection effect.
* Background - a background element you can use to tint the HLD's background color.
* **Alcove -** a preview of the HLD's 3D volume. <mark style="color:orange;">**This should be turned off before exporting content.**</mark>

<figure><img src="https://804846835-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FE9AhVJoaDxXfUQueIzAL%2Fuploads%2F6cFg2qj9ooCwwAkyxMUJ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5072d29b-6e30-4bd0-a774-85105ce56fec" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

All of the preset values created for our Motion Graphics Template in Premiere are also available in our After Effects template in the `Essential Graphics` panel. This can be an easy way to adjust content values on the fly without going too deep into the stack.&#x20;

The effect controls are as follows:&#x20;

* **Alcove Preview** - A toggle for the alcove, **this should be disabled before exporting.**&#x20;
* **Transform Controls -** Controls for adjusting the transform of the main content.&#x20;
* **Reflection** - Adjustments that can control the position, opacity, and strength of the reflection effect.&#x20;
* **Shadow** - Adjustments that can control the position, opacity, and strength of the shadow effect.&#x20;
* **Background** - Controls for a tintable background layer that can apply color to the holographic element of the HLD.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://804846835-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FE9AhVJoaDxXfUQueIzAL%2Fuploads%2FBDEw7bAttVznZdHBC18O%2Fdivider.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fc4ff755-dfd1-4ec2-9088-9164e0c2447c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Previewing and exporting for HLD playback

Once you’ve exported your video, we recommend opening it in [**HLD Author**](https://hlddocs.lookingglassfactory.com/apps-and-tools/hld-author).

HLD Author lets you:

* Preview how your content will appear on a Hololuminescent Display
* Automatically export the video in the correct format for playback on the included [HLD Demo Media Player](https://hlddocs.lookingglassfactory.com/managing-content/using-the-demo-media-player)

This is the easiest way to confirm framing, depth, and orientation before deploying content to a device.