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T
thracker11
Inspiring
July 16, 2017
Answered

Where to find downloadable After Effects cc 2017 User Guide?

  • July 16, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 1806 views

Sorry if this isn't the correct forum, but where can I find a .pdf of the After Effects cc 2017 User Guide?  I know there is a searchable online user guide, but frankly, it's not as good as older versions of other Adobe User Guides I've had.  Although I'm a subscriber to the Creative Cloud, I can't seem to find a downloadable .pdf of the User Guide.  How am I supposed to look up needed info when I don't have an internet connection?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

Jorge

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer P.M.B

    There's this https://helpx.adobe.com/pdf/after_effects_reference.pdf  which you can download on your hard drive (with working bookmarks & links even).  And it would subject to system (CTRL+F) searches

    And then there's this After Effects Help | After Effects User Guide which is online only & not searchable in any inuttive way.  You can here by clicking help inside AE but not directly.   If you don't notice the little "user guide" link at the top of the page you'll quickly be pulling you hair out trying to use the useless search function.

    Why not have the Apps help link link you to the the apps user guide?   Because that would smart & useful, of course

    3 replies

    T
    thracker11Author
    Inspiring
    July 16, 2017

    Gutter-Fish:  Thank you so much for these links.  This is exactly what I was looking for!

    Also, I completely agree with everything you said regarding Adobe's online User Guide tool.  Searching for something specific is a bit maddening!  Plus, the results are less than specific and I don't often, if ever, find graphics or screen shots to illustrate what is discussed.

    Thanks again.  You've transformed my workflow when I either don't know how to do something in After Effects or need more information on the options of a particular effect or function.  Searching a .pdf user guide for info is so much more efficient than Googling for the info or using the aforementioned online User Guide tool.

    Rick:  Thanks for your suggestions.  I've already been through basic training, so I'm needing information for some more advanced procedures/effects.  As I mentioned above, the online User Guide is frustrating to use and time consuming.  After searching, I have to weed through the results to discover which ones are specific to cc  2017 (or, at least, 2015) vs. much earlier versions, and then start clicking around to see which document has the needed information.

    Gutter-Fish and Rick:  Thanks again, guys!  Your willingness to chime in and help is what these forums are all about!

    Take care,

    Jorge

    P.M.B
    P.M.B
    Legend
    July 17, 2017

    Great. Not a problem.

    ~Gutterfish
    P.M.B
    P.M.BCorrect answer
    Legend
    July 16, 2017

    There's this https://helpx.adobe.com/pdf/after_effects_reference.pdf  which you can download on your hard drive (with working bookmarks & links even).  And it would subject to system (CTRL+F) searches

    And then there's this After Effects Help | After Effects User Guide which is online only & not searchable in any inuttive way.  You can here by clicking help inside AE but not directly.   If you don't notice the little "user guide" link at the top of the page you'll quickly be pulling you hair out trying to use the useless search function.

    Why not have the Apps help link link you to the the apps user guide?   Because that would smart & useful, of course

    ~Gutterfish
    R
    Community Expert
    Rick GerardCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 16, 2017

    There is a search help the field at the top right corner of AE that you should use define help and community resources.

    After Effects is a very complicated program with a very complex UI and it would be extremely helpful to go to the Adobe product page and go through some basic training.

    Adobe After Effects Learn & Support

    P.M.B
    P.M.B
    Legend
    July 16, 2017

    Rick, the main problem with that (other than needing to be online which was the OPs question) is its searches are not limited to after effects...Post search you can filter it to AE but once you follow a link then the filters get reset to search every Adobe application including every forum for every application. It's a downright STUPID system.   Download the pdf gives a clear linear structure and most importantly you can easily search it.

    When someone is trying to learn after effects you think a help system that returns results for over 20 different application & 20 different user forums is helpful?  It's been too long.   I'd bet you $10,000 when you learned AE the help was not organized in this way.  It's stupid, un-intuitive, confusing system.

    The "Adobe help & support" link is bloated & ill perceived

    The help should link to the applications reference guide and the search results should default to ONLY the applications reference guide.

    It's freakin common sense.

    ~Gutterfish
      Ussnorway7605025
      Ussnorway7605025
      Legend
      July 16, 2017

      moved to After effects forum

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