Modify layer properties, Work with layer properties in the timeline panel – Adobe After Effects CS3 User Manual
Page 157
AFTER EFFECTS CS3
User Guide
152
Modify layer properties
Work with layer properties in the Timeline panel
Each layer has properties, many of which you can modify and animate. The basic group of properties that every layer
has is the Transform group, which includes Position and Opacity properties. When you add certain features to a
layer—for example, by adding masks or effects, or by converting the layer to a 3D layer—the layer gains additional
properties, collected in property groups.
All layer properties are temporal—they can change the layer over time. Some layer properties, such as Position, are
also spatial—they can move the layer across composition space.
You can expand the layer outline to display layer properties and change property values.
Collapsed property group (left) compared to expanded property group (right) in layer outline
Properties in the Effects property group (effect properties) are also layer properties. Many effect properties can also
be modified in the Effect Controls panel.
See also
“Work with effects in the Effect Controls panel” on page 350
“Shortcuts for showing properties in the Timeline panel” on page 647
“Shortcuts for working with layers” on page 645
“Shortcuts for showing properties in the Timeline panel” on page 647
“Shortcuts for modifying properties” on page 648
Show or hide properties in the Timeline panel
•
To expand or collapse a property group, click the triangle to the left of the layer name or property group name.
•
To expand or collapse a property group and all of its children, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS)
the triangle.
•
To expand or collapse all groups for selected layers, press Ctrl+~ (tilde) (Windows) or Command+~ (tilde)
(Mac OS).
•
To reveal an effect property in the Timeline panel, double-click the property name in the Effect Controls panel.
•
To hide a property or property group, Alt+Shift-click (Windows) or Option+Shift-click (Mac OS) the name in the
Timeline panel.
•
To show only the selected properties or property groups in the Timeline panel, press SS.
Note: This is especially useful for working with paint strokes. Select the paint stroke in the Layer panel, and press SS to
open the property group for that stroke in the Timeline panel.