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Finlay Films
Inspiring
Jan 15, 2020 9:12 PM UTC
Answered

change background color

Hi guys,

 

Im looking to change the black background so I can see my black text. Is this possible? See screenshot below.

    Jonathan_Lamb_06
    Jonathan_Lamb_06Correct answer
    Participating Frequently
    Jan 15, 2020 9:19 PM UTC

    If you press cntrl + k you can change the background colour of the composition there.

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    18 replies

    Elijah_Joseph Neomb2235
    Participant
    Mar 12, 2025 11:44 AM UTC

     

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    Sachin Paswan
    Participant
    Nov 29, 2023 2:34 AM UTC

    So xzs 

     

     

     

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    Jonathan_Lamb_06
    Jonathan_Lamb_06
    Participating Frequently
    Jan 16, 2020 6:27 PM UTC

    If you press cntrl Y for a new solid layer, select a colour that contrasts with your text (in this case white) and then put that layer below all your other layers. This will ensure that it will render out the background colour as well. Hope this helps.

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    Katestuth
    Participant
    Jun 8, 2020 3:13 AM UTC

    How do you put the solid layer under all of the other layers? And will that solid color show up in adobe media encoder? Thanks

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    Community Expert
    Rick GerardCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Jun 8, 2020 6:57 AM UTC

    Create a new solid Ctrl/Cmnd + y. Select the layer and drag it to the bottom of the timeline. 

     

    You really need to spend some time with the User Guide, I don't know anybody that has ever been successful using After Effects without doing some homework.

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    Jonathan_Lamb_06
    Jonathan_Lamb_06Correct answer
    Participating Frequently
    Jan 15, 2020 9:19 PM UTC

    If you press cntrl + k you can change the background colour of the composition there.

    Translate
      Community Expert
      Rick GerardCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Jan 15, 2020 10:02 PM UTC

      Changing the background color of a comp will not change the rendered background color when using most formats. This is because the alpha channel is still transparent and alpha channels will render as black in all media players. The only reason to ever change the background color of a composition is to render specialized graphics where you need to pre-multiply the alpha edge with a specific color. That is an extremely rare project requirement. You should just keep the background color black.

       

      The correct and only reliable way to have a background color is to fill it with pixels. An image, a solid, a shape layer, or footage will always work. If you turn on the transparency grid and you can see it, you will end up with black 99% of the time.

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        Jonathan_Lamb_06
        Jonathan_Lamb_06
        Participating Frequently
        Jan 16, 2020 12:02 PM UTC

        If you render with the alpha channel included then it will appear black regardless of the colour you've changed it too yes but if you're working on a composition that has no alpha channel then you can succesfully change the background colour of the composition this way and it will render that colour.

         

        I've done this countless times instead of creating a solid layer as the background. I've also changed the comp bg colour when I've wanted to better see where the alpha might be showing, as changing it to a bright colour (for example, Magenta) can be easier to see than the transparency grid sometimes. So they're are reasons you may want to change it. More than one way to skin a cat and all that, depends on the project.

         

         

         

         

         

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