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Specifying a layer mode


    You can apply one of the following layer modes to a layer:

    Normal

    Composites the layer on top of underlying layers.

    Dissolve

    Randomly replaces layer colors with colors from underlying layers, based on layer transparency.

    Dancing Dissolve

    Functions the same as the Dissolve option, except that the placement of random color changes varies over time.

    Add

    Combines the color values of the layer and underlying colors. The resulting color is lighter than the original. This is a good way to combine nonoverlapping images in two layers. Pure black in a layer does not change the underlying color. Pure white in the underlying color is never changed.

    Multiply

    Multiplies the color values in the layers and divides the result by the maximum pixel value of either 8-bit or 16-bit pixels, depending on which mode you are in. The resulting color is never brighter than the original.

    Screen

    Multiplies the inverse brightness values of the colors in all layers. The resulting color is never darker than the original. Using the Screen option is similar to the traditional technique of superimposing two different film negatives and printing the result.

    Overlay

    Mixes colors between layers, preserving highlights and shadows to reflect the light and dark areas of the layer colors.

    Soft Light

    Darkens or lightens resulting colors, depending on the layer color. The effect is similar to shining a diffused spotlight on the layer. If the underlying color is lighter than 50% gray, the layer lightens. If the underlying color is darker than 50% gray, the layer darkens. A layer with pure black or white becomes markedly darker or lighter, but does not result in pure black or white.

    Hard Light

    Multiplies or screens the resulting color depending on the original layer color. The effect is similar to shining a harsh spotlight on the layer. If the underlying color is lighter than 50% gray, the layer lightens as if it were screened. If the underlying color is darker than 50% gray, the layer darkens as if it were multiplied. This option is useful for creating the appearance of shadows on a layer.

    Color Dodge

    Brightens the resulting color based on the original layer color. The lighter the original layer color, the brighter the resulting color. Pure black in the original layer does not change the underlying color. Pure white in the original layer usually changes the underlying color to white.

    Color Burn

    Darkens the resulting color based on the original layer color. The darker the original layer color, the darker the resulting color. Pure white in the original layer does not change the underlying color. Pure black in the original layer usually changes the underlying color to black.

    Darken

    Compares the channel values of the underlying and layer colors and displays the darker of the two. Specifying this option can cause color shifts in layers with color.

    Lighten

    Compares the channel values of the underlying and layer colors and displays the lighter of the two. Specifying this option can cause color shifts in layers with color.

    Difference

    Subtracts the channel values of the layer and underlying colors and displays the absolute value of the result.

    Exclusion

    Creates an effect similar to but lower in contrast than the Difference mode. Blending with white inverts the base color values. Blending with black produces no change.

    Hue

    Creates resulting colors with the luminance and saturation of the underlying colors and the hue of the layer colors.

    Saturation

    Creates resulting colors with the luminance and hue of the underlying colors and the saturation of the layer colors. If you use this option with a layer having no saturation (gray), there is no change.

    Color

    Creates resulting colors with the luminance of the underlying colors and the hue and saturation of the layer colors. This preserves the gray levels in the image.

    Luminosity

    Creates resulting colors with the hue and saturation of the underlying colors and the luminance of the layer colors. This option is the inverse of the Color option.

    Alpha Add

    Composites layers normally, but adds complementary alpha channels together to create a seamless area of transparency. Useful for removing visible edges from two alpha channels that are inverted relative to each other, or from the alpha channel edges of two touching layers that are being animated.

    Luminescent Premul

    Prevents clipping of color values that exceed the alpha channel value after compositing by adding them to the composition. Useful for compositing rendered lens or light effects (such as lens flare) from footage with premultiplied alpha channels. May also improve results when compositing footage from other manufacturers' matting software. When applying this mode, you may get the best results by changing After Effects' interpretation of the premultiplied-alpha source footage to straight alpha (see Interpreting alpha channels as straight or premultiplied).

To apply a layer mode:

  1. If the Mode menu is not visible in the Timeline window, click the Switches/Mode button at the bottom of the Timeline window.
  2. From the layer's Mode pop-up menu, choose a mode.