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Applying motion blur to layers


    The Motion Blur switch creates a true motion blur based on the layer's movement in a composition and what you specify for the shutter angle and phase (see Adjusting the shutter angle for motion blur).

    Note: For information about the Directional Blur effect (called "the Motion Blur effect" in earlier versions of After Effects), see Blur and sharpen effects.

    Motion Blur slows previewing and rendering, but you can apply motion blur without displaying it in the Composition window. Use the Enable Motion Blur button (the Motion Blur icon) near the top of the Timeline window to control whether layers that use motion blur affect redraw and rendering. You can also enable motion blur for all compositions when you render a movie. For more information, see Changing render settings.

To apply motion blur to a layer:

    Select the layer or composition you want to blur in the Timeline window, and choose Layer > Switches > Motion Blur.

    You can also apply motion blur by clicking the Motion Blur switch to place a checkmark for that layer.

    Note: A checkmark by the Motion Blur command indicates that motion blurring is turned on for the selected layer or composition. The checkmark also appears in the Motion Blur switch (the Motion Blur icon) for that layer in the Timeline window.