User Guide

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ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 5.0
User Guide
To create a layer from another composition:
1 Display the Composition window or Timeline window for the target composition.
2 Drag a composition from the Project window list to the target Composition
window or Timeline window.
For nested compositions, if you change certain settings in the parent composition, these
propagate through to the nested (child) compositions. These settings include the Quality
options under Layer > Quality, several options under Layer > Switches, and three options on
the Timeline window menu: Enable Motion Blur, Enable Frame Blending, and Draft 3D.
The Resolution setting for the parent composition also applies to nested compositions.
If you do not want these switch settings for the parent compositions to apply to the
individual nested compositions, you can change that at the preferences level.
To prevent switches from operating through nested compositions:
1 Choose Edit > Preferences > General.
2 Deselect the Switches Affect Nested Comps option, and click OK.
Creating a new solid layer
You can create solid images of any color or size (up to 32,000 x 32,000 pixels) using After
Effects. After Effects treats solids as it does any other footage item: You can modify the
mask, transform properties, and apply effects to the solid. Use solids to color a background
or create simple graphic images.
To create a solid-color layer:
1 With the Composition or Timeline window active, choose Layer > New > Solid.
2 In the Solid Settings dialog box under Size, type a name and dimensions for the solid.
3 Under Color, set the color of the layer in one of two ways:
• Use the color picker: Click the color swatch, select the color you want, and click OK.
• Use any color visible in the After Effects interface: Click the Eyedropper ( ), and then
click the color you want.
Note: In Mac OS, you can click the eyedropper in any area of your screen.
In the Timeline window, you can then drag the new solid layer to any position above or
below, as needed.
UG.book Page 127 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM