In After Effects, each layer has a set of Animation properties. Each one controls a different aspect of the layer’s content and can be adjusted overtime.
There are also Animation properties that control the content of the layer (i.e: Shape, Solid , Text). These will vary depending on the type of layer/content.
General Layer properties
Solid, Shape and Text Layers all have the same 5 basic properties. They are listed under the Transform tab (toggle the little arrow to the left “Transform” if you don’t see them).
What do they control?
- Anchor Point: x, y axis of the control point of the layer (the center of the composition, by default)
- Position: x, y axis of the layer on the composition
- Scale: width, height of the layer’s content
- Rotation: full (360) rotation + degrees of the layer
- Opacity: 0% = fully transparent, 100% = fully opaque
You can decide to change one, several (or none) of these properties over the course of your animation.
Any property that will change overtime will first need to be given an initial Keyframe:
- Bring the Time Indicator at the point you want to start keeping track of the property (i.e:0;00;00;00)
- You can do this by sliding the Indicator along the Timeline or by entering the time numerically in the Preview Time box (hours;minutes;seconds;frames).
- Click on the little Stop Watch icon to the left of the property and set the value you want it to have at this point of the animation (i.e: completely transparent / 0%)
- Notice that a little diamond has been created in the Timeline, at the level of the layer’s activated property
- To create the next Keyframe, move the Time Indicator (i.e: 0;00;05;00) and simply change the value of the property.
- Notice that the new diamond/Keyframe was automatically created when the value changed (without having to click on the Stop Watch).
- Preview the animation by pressing the Spacebar. You’ll notice the After Effects automatically tweens between Keyframes.
