
This is important when creating keyframes, because if you are not on a frame (and you think you are), you create a keyframe where the playhead is. In After Effects, tap J to move to the previous keyframe, & K to the next keyframe. In video editing apps the J, K and L keys are used to shuttle left (J), stop (K), and shuttle right (L). You need to type +-10 to move 10 frames earlier.


The gotcha here is that if you type -10 it moves you 10 frames before the start of the composition. If you add a + it will move you that many frames in your AE timeline. If you type in numbers, After Effects will move you to the appropriate timecode. If you commit to one way it it will cut down on mistakes, be easier to memorize and make you more efficient. As an alternative you can hold COMMAND (Mac) or CONTROL (PC) and tap the LEFT or RIGHT arrows, to move a frame left or right in the timeline.Ī bit of advice: pick one of the above and stick to it! There are generally 3-4 ways to do everything in After Effects. Holding down SHIFT while tapping SHIFT UP or DOWN will move you 10 frames.

Instead in After Effects, the PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN buttons will move navigate a frame left or right. In After Effects however using a LEFT or RIGHT ARROW button will actually nudge an entire layer. Nudge an AE layer with arrowsĪ common way to navigate in video editing applications is to use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROWS to move up or down the timeline a frame at a time. Bearing that in mind, here are 5 After Effects tips to help you avoid common ‘gotchas’ and make you a better user. In reality, it is more like Photoshop in motion. Here are 5 must-know tips and tricks to increase your speed and efficiency in Adobe After Effects.Īt first glance Adobe After Effects seems similiar to FCP, Premiere Pro, or Media Composer.
