This guide provides detailed instructions on how to use the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts in After Effects. Keyboard shortcuts can significantly improve your productivity and speed up your workflow by reducing the need to navigate through menus.
Layer Operations
Select All
Ctrl/Cmd + A
Selects all layers in your composition. This is handy when you want to apply an effect to all layers or when you need to move all layers.
Deselect All
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + A
Deselects all currently selected layers. Useful when you want to make sure no layer is selected before performing an operation.
Duplicate Layer
Ctrl/Cmd + D
Creates an exact copy of the selected layer(s). The new layer(s) will appear above the selected layer(s) in the timeline.
Undo
Ctrl/Cmd + Z
Reverts the last action that you performed. You can press this multiple times to undo several steps.
Redo
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z
Reapplies an action that you have undone. You can press this multiple times to redo several steps.
Precompose layer
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C
This shortcut creates a new composition from the currently selected layer(s). This is useful when you want to group layers together for easier management, or apply effects to multiple layers at once.
Split Layers
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + D
This shortcut splits the selected layer(s) at the current time indicator. It is particularly useful in cutting video clips or other layers to fit your timeline.
Trim Layer In Point to Current Time
Alt/Option + [
This shortcut trims the start (or “In”) point of the selected layer(s) to the current time indicated by the playhead.
Trim Layer Out Point to Current Time
Alt/Option + ]
This shortcut trims the end (or “Out”) point of the selected layer(s) to the current time indicated by the playhead.
Tools
Selection Tool
V
The Selection tool allows you to select layers in the Composition panel. Once a layer is selected, you can move it around in the composition.
Hand Tool
H
The Hand tool allows you to move your view of the composition without changing the actual composition itself. This is handy when working on large compositions.
Zoom in Tool
Z
The Zoom tool allows you to zoom in on your composition for a closer view.
Zoom out Tool
Alt/Option when zoom tool is active
While the Zoom tool is active, holding down Alt (on Windows) or Option (on Mac) allows you to zoom out from your composition.
Hold Alt (on Windows) or Option (on Mac) while the Selection Tool (V) is active to zoom in and out with your scroll wheel.
Rotation Tool
W
The Rotation tool allows you to rotate the selected layer(s) around a certain point.
Rotobrush
Alt/Option + W
While holding Alt (on Windows) or Option (on Mac), pressing W activates the Roto Brush tool. This tool is used for rotoscoping, a technique where you can separate a subject from its background in a video.
Camera Tools
C
The Camera tool allows you to control a 3D camera in your composition, useful when working with 3D layers.
Property Shortcuts
Waveforms
LL
Pressing L twice quickly reveals the waveform of any audio in your selected layer(s).
Opacity
T
Pressing T reveals the opacity property of your selected layer(s).
Rotation
R
Pressing R reveals the rotation property of your selected layer(s).
Scale
S
Pressing S reveals the scale property of your selected layer(s).
Position
P
Pressing P reveals the position property of your selected layer(s).
Anchor Point
A
Pressing A reveals the anchor point property of your selected layer(s).
See Keyframes
U
Pressing U reveals all keyframes on your selected layer(s). This is a great shortcut for quickly viewing and navigating through your animations.
Move Frame by Frame
Shift + Arrow Keys
Holding Shift and pressing the ArrowKeys allows you to move your current time indicator frame by frame. This is useful for precise editing and animation.
Navigation Shortcuts
Go to First Frame of Layer
I
This shortcut moves the current time indicator to the start of the selected layer. This is useful when you want to quickly navigate to the start of a layer for editing.
Go to Last Frame of Layer
O
This shortcut moves the current time indicator to the end of the selected layer. This is useful when you want to quickly navigate to the end of a layer for editing.
This guide covers the most common shortcuts used in After Effects, but there are many more that can help speed up your workflow. Practice using these shortcuts to become more efficient in your editing and animation process. Happy editing!
