Align or distribute layers in 2d space – Adobe After Effects CS4 User Manual
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USING AFTER EFFECTS CS4
Layers and properties
Last updated 12/21/2009
The decision of whether to work with separate dimensions depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Using one
property for position has the advantage of providing smooth motion more easily. Also, using a single property for
position enables the use of roving keyframes, which provides uniform speed. Working with separate dimensions for
position sacrifices some of this automatic smoothing to gain greater control of spatial animation. Working with
separate dimensions also makes some simulations easier, especially in cases in which the simulated forces acting on a
layer are orthogonal (perpendicular) to one another.
For example, if you are animating a ball flying horizontally and bouncing vertically, you can do so more easily by
separating dimensions. The X Position property can be animated with two keyframes, one for the start position and
one for the end position. This horizontal animation represents the speed of the throw. The Y Position property can be
animated with a single expression that simulates the acceleration due to gravity and the vertical bouncing from the
floor. A similar example is a boat drifting down a river in a variable crosswind.
Note: After Effects CS3 included a Separate XYZ Position animation preset that accomplished something similar to the
Separate Dimensions feature, though the animation preset is not as robust.
Align or distribute layers in 2D space
Use the Align panel to line up or evenly space selected layers. You can align or distribute layers vertically or
horizontally.
Note: To align, you must select two or more layers; to distribute, you must select three or more layers.
1
Select the layers to align or distribute.
2
In the Align panel, click the button representing the desired type of alignment or distribution.
When you align and distribute selected layers, keep in mind the following:
•
An alignment option aligns selected layers to the layer that most closely represents the new alignment. For example,
for right-edge alignment, all selected layers align to the selected layer that is farthest to the right.
•
A distribution option evenly spaces selected layers between the two most extreme layers. For example, for a vertical
distribution option, the selected layers are distributed between the topmost and bottommost selected layers.
•
When you distribute layers of different sizes, the spaces between layers may not be uniform. For example,
distributing layers by their centers creates equal space between the centers—but different-sized layers extend by
different amounts into the space between layers.
•
Alignment or distribution options cannot move locked layers.
•
The Align panel does not affect text alignment.
To move selected layers so that their anchor points are at the center in the current view, choose Layer > Transform >
Center In View or press Ctrl+Home (Windows) or Command+Home (Mac OS).
To align a single layer to the center or edge of a composition, begin dragging and then hold Ctrl+Shift (Windows) or
Command+Shift (Mac OS) while dragging to snap to the center or edges.
Charles Bordenave (nab) provides a script on the
, with which you can distribute layers in
3D space.
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