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Default controls and panels


    By default, the Timeline window contains a number of panels and controls. Optional panels are also available. See Optional panels.

    The Timeline window

    A. Composition tab

    Use to close or move the window. Click a tab to display its composition in the current window. Drag a tab to move its composition to another existing window or to put it in a new window.

    B. Current time

    Displays the current time in the project. Click to open the Go to Time dialog box. Viewing and setting the current time.

    C. Audio/Video Features panel

    Contains switches for enabling and disabling audio and video. This panel also includes a lock switch for locking layers and a solo switch for displaying only one layer. See About After Effects Audio/Video switches.

    D. Layer Outline

    Includes a label, a number (assigned by After Effects), and a source name for each layer. Clicking the triangle to the left of a layer lets you examine and set properties for the masks, effects, and transform functions. See About layer properties.

    E. Switches panel button

    Displays or hides the Switches panel.

    F. Switches panel

    Contains options for controlling a number of display and performance features for a layer. See About After Effects Audio/Video switches.

    G. Time graph

    Visually represents the values of the In/Out panel (see Optional panels) and displays the positions of the keyframes and timeline for each layer. See Understanding the time graph.

    H. Comp Family button

    Opens the corresponding composition window.