I can vividly recall the hype about the Global Performance Cache, an innovative feature that dramatically increased preview speeds and reduced waiting times. This inclusion on its own pushed After Effects CS6 beyond any other software we’ve used before, as it allows tackling several compositions within one project without requiring continuous re-rendering. This helped me focus on my work instead of wasting time for the software to do its thing.
Prior to CS6, I used previous versions of After Effects, which would frequently make me feel frustrated with its low rendering speeds and restrictive functionality. It always took a lot of time to handle elaborate keyframe animations or integrate 3D elements. Moving on to CS6 made me breathe a sigh of relief.
Even though Adobe After Effects CS6 lacks some of the features that were introduced in the newer versions, it still managed to satisfy nearly all of my needs. Everything I learned in that software helped me become the expert I am today.
If you want to try out After Effects for the first time, don’t scoff at an older edition like CS6. It’s supplied with a diverse toolset that can handle both basic motion graphics projects and elaborate animations with dozens of moving parts. It’s also pleasantly intuitive and might just be the solution you need to jumpstart your career or hobby.
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✔️ Improved performance. Adobe After Effects CS6 was the first software to come with Global Performance Cache, an innovative feature that did wonders for increasing the operating speed. Such a fantastic addition to this video editing software for Windows allowed me to tackle several compositions without re-rendering the entire project after every change, which saves hours of time. It provided quicker previews and minimized downtime when handling elaborate projects, which is essential for real-time editing, particularly when I was trying to meet impending deadlines without lowering the quality of my work.
✔️ Advanced features for motion graphics and 3D. I’m a huge fan of the 3D Camera Tracker added to this version. It made it significantly easier to add 3D components to real-life videos. I leveraged its functionality to introduce motion graphics to my creations, ranging from eye-catching titles to immersive VFX. The enhanced motion handling features have also helped me design professional, smooth animations while saving time in the process.
✔️ Simplified workflow. The UI of Adobe After Effects CS6 was a massive improvement over the previous versions. All of its features felt intuitive and I never felt lost when learning different menus. Such tools as Rolling Shutter Repair and Warp Stabilizer have significantly cut down the time I used to spend applying fixes to raw videos. This way, I no longer had to use third-party After Effects scripts and plugins, enjoying professional results without having to put in any extra effort.
✔️ Compatibility and versatility. I also really liked how simple it was to integrate Adobe After Effects CS6 with Premiere Pro and Photoshop. I frequently use all three tools for a single project, so quickly switching between them was extremely convenient and time-efficient.
❌ Hardware restrictions. Even though CS6 was extremely innovative, it required quite advanced hardware at the time. My PC constantly suffered from performance drops and crashes, especially when trying to handle more elaborate projects. However, that was largely my fault since it’s up to me to upgrade my hardware to keep up with the times.
❌ User-friendliness. While CS6 offers a generally straightforward workflow, mastering cutting-edge tools like the 3D Camera Tracker was quite challenging. It took me hours of trying out different parameters and studying online tutorials before I could use it confidently. If you’re new to this type of software, be ready to show some patience and dedication to get to the skill level you need for your work.
Even though After Effects CS6 was largely ahead of its time, there were still some aspects that could benefit from improvement:
If you currently can’t afford to buy After Effects CS6, you can check out one of its free or more affordable alternatives. Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or want to find software to expand the range of features you have available to you, these solutions can cover most of your needs without requiring a subscription.
If you’re interested in cutting-edge functionality available for free, I suggest downloading Blender as it’s a fantastic open-source alternative. Even though it’s mainly used for creating 3D models and animations, it’s also a capable video editing and composing tool. It helped me handle projects with elaborate VFX, and while its UI is somewhat difficult to get a hang of, the results you get more than make up for it. If you pit Blender vs After Effects CS6, you’ll notice that the former offers superior 3D functionality but doesn’t have the specialized motion graphics features included in the latter.
FXhome by Artlist is also a fantastic option for producing stunning VFX and editing your footage. It’s a great choice for beginners interested in an intuitive tool, while also providing a selection of professional features including particle effects, chroma keying, and intricate color grading. It’s especially well-suited for handling basic tasks related to visual effects. Even though the FXhome by Artlist free version is more limited than After Effects CS6, the add-ons you can download for this software make it nearly as versatile.
Filmora is a robust solution for anyone looking for user-friendly software with an expansive toolset. It lacks many of the advanced features found in After Effects CS6, but its video editing kit and intuitive UI should still satisfy most users. I’ve relied on Filmora to produce pro-grade animations and VFX while enjoying a straightforward, drag-and-drop workflow, which is perfect when you need to meet a looming deadline. This software also comes with integrated effects and templates for achieving professional results without having to create certain looks and VFX from scratch.
CapCut is a multifunctional, user-friendly video editing and animation creation solution. I highly appreciate its intuitive UI that allows me to quickly and easily achieve engaging results. If you pit CapCut vs After Effects CS6, you'll see that the former is far more restrictive when it comes to motion graphics functionality but makes up for it with premade templates, dynamic VFX, and integrated transitions. It’s among the best options for beginners and users interested in creating professional-looking videos with little effort.
The DaVinci Resolve free version also deserves to be on your radar. Even though it’s mainly used for color grading and editing raw footage, it has a Fusion module that provides robust VFX functionality. It helped me integrate various visual effects into my projects. By juxtaposing DaVinci Resolve vs After Effects CS6, you’ll notice that the former has a sleeker UI but it also requires more powerful hardware to provide optimal performance.