In most other programs when you want to change the name of a layer, you just double click the name and start typing. This is not the case in After Effects. To change the name you need to first highlight the layer by clicking on the name. Then hit Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS). read more

Lights, cameras, backgrounds and other layers can sometimes get in the way and slow you down. Using AE's "shy" feature you can hide these layers to get them out of the way. First click the shy button directly to the left of the layers name you want to hide. read more

Need a vignette and need it fast? Well, first make a new adjustment layer (solid layers work too if you dont need blur or tone effects) in your composition and name it "vignette". Creating a new layer will place it on top of the layer stack. If you add your footage after the vignette layer just make sure the vignette is above the footage. On your toolbar select the "Elipse Tool". Make sure the vignette layer is selected then double-cl ...
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If you have a complex project with tons of layers and multiple or advanced effects, you will notice extreme slowdown when scrubbing through your timeline. An easy way to help speed things up is to lower the resolution on the display window. All you need to do is click the dropdown menu and select "half", "third", or "quarter" located under the preview. It may not be as pretty but this lowers the resolution giving After Effects less i ...
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Okay, you have a web logo project that you just completed. You show your client and they are happy with it, of course, but they need it in HD and you built it at a much lower resolution for the web.

Your logo has multiple layers and when you select them in order to resize and move they all react to your modifications separately throwing off the entire composition. read more