How do I composite my two layers in After Effects?

[diggitydanks]

I am assumming that this is a real easy question for those who are experienced and would really appreciate any help.

I just finished my first lesson in the Learning Maya book and at the end, I have two scenes rendered. One with a bouncing ball and one with sparks. Both are 60 frames long(all .iff). The book tells me to composite the two scenes but I have no idea how to do it. Can anyone help me out? I am trying to use After Effects 5.5.

I have done a search and looked through many posts but can't find anything that will get me started.

[xcomb]

it's farely easy to compose them but u have to know at least basic of adobe after effects u create comp and then load sequence images make it movie with adobe or it's up to u then load second scene image sequence into the same comp and then u just have to adjust where u want your second movie to start with keyframing and moving frames shouldn't be that difficult
can't give u whole process on adobe after effect but it's totaly what u want with maya you are done just need to get them together with adobe and ready

[jtk77]

well first of you're going to have issues with .iff files and AE. So re-render using something like a tga file. or i think you can convert through F-check?
anyway, the best bet would be to get yourself a 20 dollar quick start guide to adobe after effects. Thats really your best bet.

[diggitydanks]

Is there no easy explanation? The .iff format works on my version of After Effects but so far all I can do is load all the sequences. But they don't seem to be playing right. How do you get them arranged all proportionally on the time bar?

[jtk77]

Not sure what you mean.
The only reason I say to get a book to get upto speed is becouse when you post questions like that, its so far off base that I, and probably others that are used to the program are totaly confused as to what you mean to do.
Its like if a Gorilla asked you to explain the use of a pencil then said, couse I can't get the ink to line up with the edge.
Not to be a dick, but seriously, look up a few start up tutorials first, then have an base understanding...then..
by all means ask away.

[xcomb]

well i have not had issues with adobe after effects and all my sequence playing good and i enables with high res quality takes time to render. with time slider u can move your composition into any order i would just create two compositions and save each one of those as movie file or the best thing u can get it to render those sequence with quick time pro make mov file as movie for both of your scenes then use adobe to create composition and load those mov files and place them into right order u can specify where and how long it should play if u go to File -> Interprete Footage -> Main below other Options u can set Loop time how many seconds u want that footage to be then u can freely move individual time slider for that movie and create nice effects or transition.
Again in order for me to explain u may take some time and this is all depends everyone does different way i don't want to mislead u so i go above boundaries what i shouldn't be covering in maya session but i want to help as much as i can suggest to go to http://lynda.com to get good video tutorial on adobe after effects or free one http://www.digital-tutors.com/digital\_tuto...\_menu/index.htm good video tutorials for begginers should give u some idea i hope

[xcomb]

try loading sgi sequence i have never had flickering with that type of extension

[jtk77]

I could be offbase here, but I am guessing you don't have the manuals that came with the program, but I still believe some basic getting started stuff in the in the HELP that came with your "copy".
With IFF files and AE , I have had bad luck.
as far as your sequnce. Did you pad your zeros? or is your sequenced frames all out of order?

[diggitydanks]

Thanks Xcomb I will try out your suggestions.

[xcomb]

do u have email i will send u some good info and u will be happy to know