Apple Motion "effect source" in After Effects?

[sangreazul37]

I recently started my transition from a Mac to PC. For the last 4 years, my workflow was efficient with the use of creating effects in Apple Motion and then saving them into Final Cut Pro X and then easily applying them into my projects with a simple drag & drop.

One thing I have not been able to replicate yet into my new workflow is the following: In Apple Motion I created an effect that would resize whichever video I would drop that effect onto. This was possible due to having access to a layer/object called "Effect Source". After saving this effect and using it in FCPX, I would simply drag it onto whichever video I wanted to in my timeline and the effect would do it's job of transforming the video as I wanted to.

I don't expect to have the same exact workflow that I had working with the Apple programs but my main question is this:

Is there an "Effect Source" layer I can work with in After Effects like there is in Apple Motion. (I have Premiere Pro 2019 and After Effects 2019).

[Jose Panadero]

As you said, the workflow between FCPX and Motion can not be replicated exactly in AE. For "Transform Effects" you can use Adjustment Layers inside Premiere Pro, even you can use filters over these asjustment layers and save them as Favorites inside the application for future uses. Another workflow is to create mograph templates in After Effects so you can easily edit inside Premiere Pro but that only affects graphics elements not still or video footage. 

And of course, another Workflow is that you can replace any clip or group of clips in your PPro timeline with an AE composition via right-clic and modify any properties or adding effects.

[Rick Gerard]

After Effects is not nearly as automated as Apple Motion. That makes it much more powerful. For graphic effects and even custom transitions, you should explore MOGRT's and their use in Premiere Pro. There is a log longer learning curve for AE than for Motion, but you have a lot more control. When you get a little more experience it is going to be pretty easy to set up your graphics and transitions to automatically fit the sequence frame size in Premiere. Adobe just announced some pretty amazing multiple frame size options at IBC. Check this out: https://adobe.ly/2LNSBBY