Can anyone tell me if after effects comes with the CS3 package? If so does anyone here use it for videos or special effects?

I got after effects with Adobe CS3 Production Premium. Came with Photoshop, AE, Premiere Pro, Encore, Illustrator, Soundbooth and Flash, among other tools for organizing.

AE is a powerful tool for special effects, one that I use rarely... it's not the most user friendly. Many tutorials are out there which display it's awesome power. But for just editing video, 99% of my work is done with Adobe Premiere.... AE is just for a few added special fx.... time consuming. Wish it had some fast text effects like Apple's Live Type.

Yes I have AE CS3, I don't do a lot of video work but i've messed around a bit. It is a great tool for effects if you know how to use it.

It comes with Production Premium and Master Collection

It's write good.Yes I have AE CS3, I don't do a lot of video work but i've messed around a bit. It is a great tool for effects if you know how to use it.

it comes with presets for text. if i remember correctly all you have to do is double click on the preset to apply...

I used it a while back for a matte painting, its something im looking to get deeper into at the moment though.

I use it all the time. What are you trying to do with it?

i have it with adobe cs4 masters I spose i should learn to use it, but i can do all this stuff in flash, and i'm realy at home with flash.
P.S. i've stopped using dreamweaver cs4 and flash cs4, gone back to cs3, anyone else find d/w and flash cs4 carp???

P.P.S. http://www.cartoonsmart.com/ae_index.html Amazing tut's long and very cheep.
check out his forum, he has a section on every tutorial he posts, oh yeah, sign up for his news letter (one a month) and you get the tut's for half price

Yup. Got rid of CS4 DW and went back to CS3 DW. I'm too old to learn new tricks.

At this page you have a good overview which package contains what.
I'm not sure if it's exactly the same for CS3-related products, but I don't think there's a lot of difference.

http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/compare/?promoid=DRHWP