User Guide

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Chapter 5: Animating Layers
nimation is the creation of change over time. You can animate different layer
properties, such as position, rotation, masks, and effects, with endless possibilities
for creativity. Each change can occur independently of, and yet simultaneously
with, other changes.
About layer properties
Each layer can contain several sets of properties. Layers that contain video or still images
have mask and transform properties, such as mask shape or layer rotation. A layer can also
include other properties, such as time remapping, video effects, and audio effects.
After Effects provides three ways to animate layer properties. You can animate a layer
graphically in a Composition or Layer window, by dragging a particular layer property
value, or by typing numbers into the selected value or a dialog box. Each method is slightly
different:
• When you animate a layer graphically, you change a value relative to the previous value.
For example, you move a layer by selecting it at its existing position and then dragging it
ten pixels to the left.
• When you animate a layer by dragging a particular layer property value, you change a
value by positioning the pointer over the underlined value and dragging to decrease or
increase the value.
• When you animate a layer numerically, you change a value by specifying an absolute
number. For example, you move a layer by typing new coordinate values for the Position
property.
Viewing layer properties in the Timeline window
As you add layers to a composition, they appear in the layer outline in the Timeline
window. You can expand the layer outline to display layer properties and change property
values.
Keyboard shortcuts can help you quickly display a layer property, hide others, and save
space in the Timeline window. For more information, see the After Effects Quick
Reference Card.
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UG.book Page 159 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM