Every motion designer worth their salt knows the value of good After Effects shortcuts to cut down on tedious grunt work; save time; increase productivity, and speed up the workflow.
To that end, we have decided to create an ongoing video series of After Effects Shortcuts as a useful reference to help you work better, faster and smarter.
In this Part I of the series, we will start by covering 10 After Effects shortcuts for the following: Keyframe scaling; duplicating layers; creating the wiggle effect; transforming components, moving layers up and down and top and bottom and more useful tips to streamline your After Effects workflow.
Let’s Get Started!
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After Effects Shortcut #1: How to Do Keyframe Scaling
Hold the ALT button, then drag keyframes.
How to Do Keyframe Scaling in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #2 | How to See All Keyframes
Select layers, then simply press the U key.
How to See All Keyframes in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #3 | How to Duplicate Layers
Windows: Control + D
Mac: Command + D
How to Duplicate Layers in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #4 | How to Quickly Transform Components
Layer Position shortcut: Press P
Layer Scale shortcut: Press S
Layer Rotation shortcut: Press R
Layer Opacity shortcut: Press T
How to Quickly Transform Components in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #5 | How to Create the Wiggle Effect
Hold Alt and click on Stopwatch for Position property, then type wiggle (6,8)
How to Create the Wiggle Effect in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #6 | Quick Access to Composition Settings
Windows: Control+ K
Mac: Command + K
Quick Access to Composition Settings in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #7| How to Create a New Solid Layer
Windows: Control + Y
Mac: Command + Y
How to Create a New Solid Layer in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #8 | How to Move Frame by Frame
Windows: Hold Ctrl, then use the left and right arrows to move frames
Mac: Hold Command, then use the left and right arrows.
How to Move Frame by Frame in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #9 | How to Set Render Regions
Use the B & N buttons to set render regions.
How to Set Render Regions in After Effects
After Effects Shortcut #10 | How to Split a Layer
Windows: Hold Control & Shift & the D button on the keyboard.
Mac: Hold Control & Shift & the D button on the keyboard.
How to Split a Layer
Well there you go, dear Motion Graphic ninjas!
Hope you found these After Effects tips, tricks and shortcuts useful and that you will use them to boost your productivity. We will be posting in the near future with even more shortcuts, tips and tricks so be on the lookout for those as well.
By the way, do you have any favorite shortcuts? If so, please do share with us in the comments. We would absolutely love to hear from you!
We would be equally stoked to connect with you on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest & Facebook.) Do not forget to explore our YouTube channel for a whole host of our excellent After Effects tutorials. Also be sure to check out our website as well for a ton of freebie motion design goodies.
Remember: Don’t Work Harder. Work Better, Smarter and Faster!
