User Guide

CHAPTER 4
148
Managing Layers
To prevent switches from operating through nested compositions:
1 Choose Edit > Preferences > General.
2 Deselect the Switches Affect Nested Comps option, and click OK.
Altering appearances on the layer level
Use switches to make changes at the layer level that affect the appearance of your final
output. These switches include Collapse Transformations/Continuously Rasterize,
Quality, Motion Blur, hiding or showing effects, Frame Blending, and 3D. Using the
switches, you can specify the balance you want between the way the image looks and
rendering time.
For information about changing only the appearance on your screen while you work
without changing final output, see “Customizing layer work and views” on page 135.
Collapsing transformation properties
The Collapse Transformations/Continuously Rasterize layer switch ( ) in the Timeline
window affects nested compositions and Adobe Illustrator files. However, it affects these
layers differently.
When the layer source is a composition, this switch acts as the Collapse Transformations
switch. Selecting it may improve image quality and decrease viewing and rendering time.
You cannot select this switch if a mask or effect is applied to the layer.
When the layer source is an Adobe Illustrator file, this switch acts as the Continuously
Rasterize switch. Selecting this switch causes After Effects to rerasterize the Illustrator file
for each frame, which improves image quality but also increases the time required for
previewing and rendering.
You cannot apply masks and some effects to a layer when the Collapse Transforma-
tions/Continuously Rasterize switch is active. If you want to apply an effect to a layer
that uses this switch, either apply an adjustment layer higher up in the stacking order
(see “Creating an adjustment layer” on page 128), or nest or precompose the layer with the
switch applied and then apply the effect or mask. See “Importing an Adobe Illustrator,
PDF, or EPS file” on page 77.
UG.book Page 148 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM