Arranging a footage item in a composition by dragging

You can change the spatial position of a layer in a composition by selecting and dragging the layer in the Composition window. When you want to move a layer into or out of the frame, you can position it completely or partially outside the frame.

When you arrange a layer in the Composition window, you determine the position of the layer at the current time, indicated by the current-time indicator in the Timeline window. If no keyframes are set for a layer, the position values you set will apply for the duration of the layer. The layer remains in position until you set up a change over time in the Timeline window. (See Understanding keyframes and Changing the layer stacking order.)

To arrange a layer in a composition by dragging:

1. Select the selection tool from the Tools palette.
2. Click a layer in the Composition window to select it or, if the layer is obscured by another layer, select the layer name in the Timeline window.

You can select layers behind other layers in a Composition window. Using the selection tool, right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the top layer, choose Select, and then choose a layer name.

3. Position the pointer within the layer (but not on a handle) and drag the layer to a location within the Composition window.

After you start dragging a layer, hold down Shift to constrain the dragging to horizontal or vertical movements, or hold down Ctrl+Shift (Windows) or Command+Shift (Mac OS) to snap to the frame edges or center.

For information on positioning a 3D layer in the Composition window, Moving a 3D layer in the Composition window