User Guide

183
ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 5.0
User Guide
You can also use the pan behind tool to move a layer’s anchor point without moving the
layer’s relative position in the Composition window. When you select a layer in either the
Composition or Timeline window and then select the pan behind tool, that layer’s anchor
point becomes active and adjustable. Again the pan behind tool saves you steps, because
moving the layer’s anchor point with the selection tool would shift its resulting position
in the Composition window; using the pan behind tool changes the layer’s position in
order to compensate for your anchor point adjustment. As a result, you can move the
anchor point without disturbing the Composition window.
When you use the Pan Behind tool to move the anchor point in the Composition
window (left), After Effects automatically compensates for the move so that the
layer maintains its position relative to the Composition window (right).
Note: Because a layer’s Anchor Point and Position properties change when you drag the
anchor point using the pan behind tool, using the pan behind tool to change the anchor point
of a moving layer alters the motion path. If your layer contains a motion path, move the
anchor point in the Layer window (see “Setting and animating an anchor point” on
page 182), and then select the motion path and adjust it accordingly.
To move the anchor point by dragging in the Layer window:
1 In the Composition or Timeline window, double-click the layer you want to modify or
select the layer and choose Layer > Open Layer Window.
2 Choose Anchor Point Path from the Layer window menu at the top right of the Layer
window. The anchor point appears as a circle with an X through it.
3 Drag the anchor point to a new location.
To move a layer anchor point by nudging it 1 pixel at the current magnification:
1 In the Timeline window, double-click the layer.
2 In the Layer window, select Anchor Point Path from the Layer window menu.
UG.book Page 183 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM