Create a layer and new photoshop footage item, Selecting and arranging layers, Select layers – Adobe After Effects CS3 User Manual

Page 142

AFTER EFFECTS CS3

User Guide

137

Because effects on adjustment layers apply to all layers beneath them, they are useful for applying effects to many
layers at once. In all other respects, an adjustment layer behaves exactly like other layers; for example, you can use
keyframes or expressions with any adjustment layer property.

Note: If you want to apply an effect or transformation to a collection of layers, you can precompose the layers and then
apply the effect or transformation to the precomposition layer. (See “Precompose layers” on page 114.)

Use masks on an adjustment layer to apply an effect to only parts of the underlying layers. You can animate masks to
follow moving subjects in the underlying layers.

•

To create a new adjustment layer, choose Layer > New > Adjustment Layer.

•

To convert selected layers to adjustment layers, select the Adjustment Layer switch

for the layers in the

Timeline panel or choose Layer > Switches > Adjustment Layer.

Note: You can deselect the Adjustment Layer switch for a layer to convert it to a normal layer.

“Creating and importing masks” on page 254

Create a layer and new Photoshop footage item

When you create a new Adobe Photoshop file from After Effects, Photoshop starts and creates a new PSD file. This
PSD file consists of a blank Photoshop layer that has the same dimensions as your composition, with the appropriate
title-safe and action-safe guides. The color bit depth of the PSD file is the same as that of your After Effects project.

The newly created PSD file is automatically imported into After Effects as a footage item. Any changes that you save
in Photoshop appear in the footage item in After Effects.

•

To create a new Photoshop footage item and use it as the source for a new layer in the current composition, choose
Layer > New > Adobe Photoshop File. The Photoshop layer is added as the top layer in your composition.

•

To create a new Photoshop footage item with the settings of the most recently open composition, without adding
it to a composition, choose File > New > Adobe Photoshop File.

See also

“Working with footage items” on page 58

“Preparing and importing Photoshop files” on page 83

“Working with Photoshop and After Effects” on page 32

Selecting and arranging layers

Select layers

Selected layers that also have properties selected are indicated with a hollow highlight in the Timeline panel. A
selected layer that has no properties selected is indicated with a solid highlight.