Setting keyframes
You can set keyframes for any type of layer and any combination of layer properties at any point in time. You can also move, delete, or change the value or interpolation method of a keyframe. This section provides an overview of setting keyframes. For details on setting or changing individual layer properties, see the specific sections for each property, for example, Setting layer position. For details on animating layer properties, see Setting and animating a layer property in the Timeline window.
To set the first keyframe for a layer property: - In the Timeline window, select the layer you want to animate, and then display the layer property you want to animate.
- Move the current-time marker to a point in time where you want to add a keyframe.
- Set the layer property to the value you want at that point in time; for example, move the layer to a new position.
- Do one of the following:
- Click the stopwatch icon (
) next to the property name to activate it. After Effects creates a keyframe at the current time for that property value. - Choose Animation > Add x Keyframe, where x is the name of the property you are keyframing.
To add additional keyframes for a layer property: - In the Timeline window, select the layer you want to animate.
- Display the layer property for which you want to add a keyframe. It must already contain at least one keyframe, and the stopwatch must be activated.
- Move the current-time marker to the point where you want to add a new keyframe, and change the value for the layer property you are animating. After Effects adds a keyframe automatically.
To add a keyframe without changing a value: - Display the Timeline window for the composition containing the layer you want to animate.
- Display the layer property for which you want to add a keyframe. The property must already contain at least one keyframe, and the stopwatch must be activated.
- Move the current-time marker to the point where you want to add a new keyframe. If the current-time marker is after the last keyframe for that layer property, the new keyframe will have the same value as the preceding keyframe. Otherwise, the new keyframe's value will be an interpolated value based on the previous and next keyframe values.
- Do one of the following:
- Click the keyframe check box for the layer property.
- Choose Animation > Add x Keyframe, where x is the name of the property you are keyframing.

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