Viewing a specific frame

The duration of a composition, a layer, or a footage file is represented visually by the time ruler. On the time ruler, the current-time marker indicates the frame you are viewing or editing, and the frame appears in the corresponding window. You can view a different frame by typing a number or by dragging the current-time marker.

In a Layer or Footage window, the time ruler appears near the bottom of the window. In a Composition window, the time ruler appears in the corresponding Timeline window. Keep in mind that the time rulers in different windows represent different durations. The time ruler in Layer and Footage windows represent the duration of the contents of that window, in contrast to the time ruler in the Timeline window, which represents the duration of the entire composition.


Current-time marker in the Timeline window (left) and in the Layer window (right)

Like the Timeline window, Layer and Footage windows include viewing-area markers that you can use to magnify or shrink the part of the time ruler displayed.

To view a specific frame by dragging:

In the time ruler, drag the current-time marker to a new point in time.

To view a specific frame numerically:

1. Choose View > Go to Time, or click the current-time display in a Footage, Layer, Composition, or Timeline window.

2. Type a new time and click OK.

To step forward or back a specified number of frames from the Go to Time dialog box, type + or +- in front of the number, such as +5 or +-5. (If you simply type - in front of the number, After Effects jumps to a negative time.)