how to place a new layer automatically above the layer I want

Question

Hi,

I have lots of texts/letters and I need to mask them all. last 2 days am just keep creating shape layers and placing/ dragging them above letters/word 😠 Is there any way I can make the shape layer to be on the desired layer? I cant select the letter and the draw the shape, because I dnt wanna animate the path of the mask. please help me. 😥😥😓

nishu_kush · Accepted Answer

Thanks for writing in Suraiya.I don't think such an option is available in After Effects. But, you can use the shortcut to quickly move the layers up and down in the stacking order. Select the layer you want to reposition and use the keyboard shortcutCommand + Option + Up Arrow (Mac) or Control + Alt + Up Arrow (Windows) to move it up,Command + Option + Down Arrow (Mac) or Control + Alt + Down Arrow (Windows) to move it downHope it helps. Feel free to create a feature request in the Ideas section so that others can vote.Thanks,Nishu

Rick Gerard · Answer

If you select any layer in a comp and use the Layer/New menu or the Keyboard Shortcut, the new layer will be created above the selected layer.

If you select one character in a text string and choose New Shape or New Mask, the new layer will be created above the selected text layer.

I guess I don't understand your workflow. I can only assume that you want to create a path from a specific character, then turn on the text layer again, select another character, and add another path to the same text layer. That is not possible or efficient. If you need multiple characters as shape layers, you need to convert them all and delete the ones you don't need.

If you could provide a better description of your design goal, we could probably help you set up a more efficient workflow.

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