User Guide

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ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 5.0
User Guide
Setting layer size
By default, a layer appears at 100% of its original size in the Layer window. Change the
scale of a layer over time by dragging the layer’s handles in the Composition window or by
changing the Scale property values in the Timeline window. You can scale the layer
partially or completely outside the frame. When you scale, the layer is scaled around its
anchor point. For more information, see “Setting and animating an anchor point” on
page 182.
To scale a layer by dragging in the Composition window:
Do one of the following:
• To scale proportionally, hold down Shift as you drag any layer handle.
• To scale freely, drag a corner layer handle.
• To scale one dimension only, drag a side layer handle.
To scale a layer by nudging it 1%:
Select a layer and then hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) as you press + or –
on the numeric keypad.
To scale a layer by nudging it 10%:
Select a layer and then hold down Alt+Shift (Windows) or Option+Shift (Mac OS) as you
press + or – on the numeric keypad.
Flipping a layer using Scale property keyframes
You can flip a layer using the numerical Scale option. A layer flips around its anchor point,
so if you move the anchor point away from the center of the layer, it may move when you
flip it. For more information, see “Setting and animating an anchor point” on page 182.
To flip a layer by dragging in the Composition window:
Drag a layer handle over and past the layer’s anchor point.
To flip a layer numerically:
1 In the Timeline window, select the layer you want to modify.
UG.book Page 179 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM