Learn how to use the new 3D Camera Tracker by creating a 3D project that adds animated text to a movie. See how the tracker works in the background to analyze a scene and then automates the addition of an animated 3D camera with text. See how to adjust, manipulate and add animators and other effects to the text for amazing results.

Get an introduction to Ray-traced 3D, how to activate it, the 3D layers it adds, and the many options that are available in those layers. Vector layers for text and shapes have greatly expanded options in this version of AE, and most useful for non vector layers are the new "Material" options which include the ability to create after-effects-native reflections for the first time.

Discover the new Mask Feather tool and why it's so important and useful. See how the tool can easily take a difficult rotoscoping task and simplify it by allowing AE to generate a variable feather around a mask that includes both sharp and blurry edges.

Examine 3D bendable layers and their properties, learn how segments and curves can be adjusted, and effects can be added to get creative, fun results.

Take a look at the new 3D Material properties and get an understanding of how they work to make your scenes look their best by creating realistic sharp or diffuse reflections. Learn to adjust the refraction properties of transparent layers to get a nice looking final composition.

Discover how the new Bounding Boxes work to help you select and manipulate elements in a scene. Learn about the new Inverted "V" pattern on layers, how to use the selection indicators to identify layers and elements, and how you can edit a 3D element by manipulating its Bounding Box.

Explore one of the the most-changed performance enhancements in After Effects CS6, the fast previews menu. Learn the difference between the latest options including adaptive resolution, draft, fast draft, wifeframe, and the draft 3D button in the timeline. Using a Ray-traced 3D comp as an example Brian shows how the different options behave and offers suggestions for an efficient workflow even if you don't have the best video hardware.

Explore the various ways you can set up projects in After Effects including importing individual or multi-layered files from Illustrator and Photoshop. Review some of the options for sorting folders and elements in the project window to keep you organized. Plus take a look at the Flowchart panel and get an understanding of the value of flowcharts as a visual reference to easily see how your project elements relate to each other.

Discover how to enable 3D in a composition and work in the Classic 3D mode. Review the difference in the UI and tools once 3D is activated and take a look at the new properties available in the "Materials" category, as well as in layers and effects, as well as 3D-only elements like cameras and lights. And of course, Brian provides some handy tips for setting up your comp window for 3D.

Take a close look at timeline elements including switches, navigation, zooming, trimming, setting keyframes, and basic layer properties. Next, review how to set and change keyframe parameters in the timeline, and multiple ways you can accomplish this in After Effects.

Learn to use the Preview Panel to generate a RAM Preview of your animation that plays in real time. Review the features available in the panel, how to adjust the work area in the timeline, and how to generate a preview to see your results at full speed. Also explore Frame Rate, Skip and Shift+Ram Preview, as well as the From Current Time feature. Finally, learn some handy keyboard shortcuts that can save you time.

Get familiar with the After Effects CS6 workflow in this brief overview of the tools, project windows, elements, compositions, nested comps, effects, keyframes, the timeline, expressions, exporting and the Render Queue.