If you want to design or manage an efficient workflow:

• Organize complex projects in After Effects by visualizing organization with Flowchart View (see Visualizing organization with Flowchart View), customizing layer work and views (see Customizing layer work and views), reorganizing windows (see Reorganizing windows), designing projects for cross-platform usage (see Considerations for cross-platform projects), and learning techniques for working efficiently (see "Techniques for working efficiently" in the online Help).
• Automate complex or routine tasks by using scripts (see Using scripts to facilitate tasks), using expressions (see Understanding expressions), substituting a placeholder for footage (see Substituting a placeholder for footage), substituting a low-resolution proxy for footage (see Substituting a low-resolution proxy for footage), using the Pre-render command (see Using the Pre-render command), and using the Post-Render Action menu (see Using the Post-Render Action menu).
• Preview an individual element quickly by soloing a layer (see Soloing a layer), changing the region of interest (see Changing the region of interest), using RAM Preview (see Using RAM Preview), and setting Video Preview preferences (see Setting Video Preview preferences).
• Render your composition more quickly by rendering an item to multiple formats (see Rendering an item to multiple formats), creating and using output module templates (see Creating and using output module templates), and rendering on a network using a watch folder (Pro only)(see Rendering on a network using a watch folder (Pro only)).
• Reuse your favorite effects easily by using the Effects palette (see Using the Effects palette) and saving your favorite effects (see Saving favorite effects for instant reuse).
• Archive your projects by collecting files in one location (see Collecting files in one location).
• Print windows (see Printing Windows).