Creating new layers

Of the numerous ways to create layers in an After Effects composition, the most obvious is to begin with a footage file you want to use. You can create a new layer from any footage item in your Project window, including audio. After you add a footage item to a composition, you can modify and animate the resulting layer.

To create a layer from a footage item:

1. In the Project window, double-click the composition you want to work on to open its Composition and Timeline windows.
2. In the Timeline window, move the current-time marker to the time where you want the layer to begin playing.
3. Drag the footage item from the Project window to the Composition window.

Note: To position the new layer in a particular order among existing layers or at a specific starting time in the composition, drag the item to the Timeline window and release it in that layer position and starting time instead of dragging it to the Composition window.

To create multiple layers simultaneously, follow this procedure but hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) and click to select footage files in Step 3. When you drag them to the Timeline window, the footage files form layers in the order in which you clicked them.

Related Subtopics:

Creating layers by nesting compositions
Creating a new solid layer
Creating a light or camera layer
Creating an adjustment layer
Duplicating a layer
Creating new layers by splitting