How To Split Layers In After Effects

The Tiptop Time-Saving Keyboard Shortcuts for Manipulating Layers in After Effects

Every second counts when you're editing video footage in Later on Furnishings, and keyboard shortcuts represent 1 of the almost effective ways to increment your efficiency.

In our latest Quick Tip Tutorial from Birmingham-based movement designer, managing director and SOM alum Jacob Richardson, we show you how to use keyboard shortcuts to masterfully — and quickly — dispense your video footage with layers in After Furnishings.

Video editing? Learn how to cut and piece, sideslip and motility layers in After Effects now...

Please Note: While this Tutorial video shows keyboard shortcuts for macOS and Windows, in this commodity we use keyboard shortcuts only for macOS; if you use Windows, whenever y'all see CMD simply swap it for the Command key.

HOW TO Cut A CLIP IN After Furnishings: QUICK TIP TUTORIAL VIDEO

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How to Cut a Clip in After Effects: Explained

Keyboard shortcuts can be incredibly useful when y'all're editing video footage and need to re-parent a layer, alter blitheness management, remove effects simply maintain the layer... and the list goes on and on.

To split up a layer, for case, all you need to do is printing CMD + Shift + D.

Here are some more.

HOW TO TRIM A LAYER IN AFTER EFFECTS

If you lot're similar usa, you've probably spent a off-white amount of time dragging the in and out points of layers.

Not anymore. To trim a layer to the current time indicator:

Select the layer(s) yous want to trim
Set your current time indicator to where you want to trim
Press ALT + [ to create a new in-point

This will bear witness especially handy if your layer's in or out bespeak extends beyond your composition duration.

Have you ever updated the duration of your composition only to find your layers don't stretch to the full length of the composition?

Hither'due south a quick and piece of cake three-footstep solution:

Press CMD + A to select all layers
Movement the current time indicator to the end of the composition
Press ALT + ] to move the out indicate of your layer to the end

Be sure to double check that you've unselected any layers you intentionally trimmed shorter.

HOW TO Move A LAYER TO THE CURRENT TIME INDICATOR

If yous're not looking to trim a layer, but rather move it in its entirety, you'll want to use this technique.

To move a layer's pre-existing in or out point to the current time indicator:

Select the layer(southward) you desire to motility
Press the left bracket ([) to bring the layer's in betoken to the current fourth dimension indicator; or, press the right subclass (]) to ready the layer's out betoken

This will prove incredibly helpful if you have a lengthy piece of footage on your timeline and need to see the end of the shot — this is much faster than dragging the layer to the left until you reach the end bespeak.

HOW TO SLIP A LAYER IN After Effects

The term slipping isn't commonly known in After Furnishings, merely if yous edit video y'all'll be happy to learn our quick tip for expediting the procedure.

And so what is slipping?

If yous've already set up a layer's edit and don't want to change its position in the timeline, you lot can substantially pull the layer left or right as if information technology were underneath the edit.

Y'all'll notice that the video in the composition window is changing, since we're re-defining the in and out points from the layer's source — and not in the timeline.

To slip a layer in After Effects, use the Pan Behind Tool, which is automatically equipped when you hover over whatsoever portion outside the layer's in and out points.

When yous're ready to sideslip the layer, simply click and drag left or right in the transparent portion(south) of the layer.

More Later Effects Timeline Tips

Got a growing need for speed?

We'll show you how to use hotkeys to motion a layer upwardly and downwards in the timeline, and so much more.

Accelerate your workflow today with our Pro Tips list of Subsequently Effects timeline shortcuts.

How to Work Professionally in After Effects

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How to Stand Out Among Your Peers

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