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.)

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

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  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. (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  for that layer in the Timeline window.