Chapter 1: Getting Started; Installation - Adobe AFTER EFFECTS CS3 PROFESSIONAL User Manual

Chapter 1: Getting started

If you haven't installed your new software, begin by reading some information on installation and other prelimi-
naries. Before you begin working with your software, take a few moments to read an overview of Adobe Help and of
the many resources available to users. You have access to instructional videos, plug-ins, templates, user communities,
seminars, tutorials, RSS feeds, and much more.

Installation

Requirements
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To review complete system requirements and recommendations for your Adobe® software, see the Read Me file
on the installation disc.
Install the software
1 Close any other Adobe applications open on your computer.
Insert the installation disc into your DVD drive, and follow the on-screen instructions.
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For each licensed copy of Adobe® After Effects® software, you can activate and use one copy of the full version of the
application on one computer. You can also install additional copies on additional computers to use as After Effects
render engines, which assist with network rendering. You install render engines in the same manner as the full
version of the application, but you do not activate them. You run the render engine using the Adobe After Effects
Render Engine shortcut in the Adobe After Effects CS3 folder.
Note: For more information, see the Read Me file on the installation DVD or visit the Adobe After Effects support website
at www.adobe.com/go/learn_ae_support.
See also
"Network rendering with watch folders" on page 618
Activate the software
If you have a single-user retail license for your Adobe software, you will be asked to activate your software; this is a
simple, anonymous process that you must complete within 30 days of starting the software.
For more information on product activation, see the Read Me file on your installation disc, or visit the Adobe website
at www.adobe.com/go/activation.
If the Activation dialog box isn't already open, choose Help > Activate.
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2 Follow the on-screen instructions.
Note: If you want to install the software on a different computer, you must first deactivate it on your computer. Choose
Help > Deactivate.
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