User Guide

CHAPTER 1
44
Working with Projects, Windows, and Palettes
3 If desired, type a value in the Start Numbering Frames At option. This value applies
only when you have chosen Frames or Feet + Frames.
4 Click OK.
To instantly cycle through Timecode, Frames, and Feet + Frames, Ctrl+click (Windows)
or Command+click (Mac OS) the timecode display at the bottom of the Composition
window or at the top of the Timeline window.
Setting up a project
After you create a new project, you import footage into the project. You can also specify
project settings or application-wide preferences.
Creating a new project
By default, After Effects opens a new Project window when you start the application.
When you know the media for your final project, you are ready to create a project by
importing your footage items into a new Project window. You can also open a new Project
window at any time from the File menu. See “Working with the Project window” on
page 51.
To create a new project after closing the current project in After Effects:
Choose File > New > New Project.
Importing footage items
When you import a footage item, After Effects creates only a reference to the file and does
not copy or move the file itself. These references to your source files are displayed in the
Project window.
To import source footage items into an After Effects project:
1 Choose File > Import > File or Multiple Files.
2 Locate and select footage files and click Open.
For details, see “Importing files into a project” on page 68.
UG.book Page 44 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM