How to toggle between tools that are underneath others in the Tool menu

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
February 4, 2018
3 replies
6797 views

I am using the Adobe After Effects Classroom in a book 2017 version and in chapter 7 it says to use the convert vertex tool which is behind the pen tool. However, I cannot get the menus to show that are behind the pen tool, I cannot select any other tool other than than the pen tool in that group. Anybody know the magic word to invoke this menu so I can complete the lesson? Anybody using this publication, spend a lot of time reviewing the first few chapters to get a firm grasp on how to work your way around the interface before moving on to more advanced material.

Thank you,

Chris

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Roei Tzoref

Click and hold on the pen tool in the tools menu and you should see the other options. alternatively you could hold the alt key when the pen tool is active to change it to the convert vertex tool or withe the selection tool active hold alt+ctrl.

D

davef62278925

Known Participant

This doesn't seem to work when you have a 3D camera in the scene - instead it modifies the camera. And there isn't an option to even set a keyboard shortcut for it, as far as I can see. Seems like a missing feature, since you can set shortcuts for the pen tool, brus tool etc

ChrisCrystalizeAuthor

Inspiring

Thank you very much! I hate leaving projects unfinished simply because of a how-to issue.

Roei TzorefCorrect answer

Legend

Click and hold on the pen tool in the tools menu and you should see the other options. alternatively you could hold the alt key when the pen tool is active to change it to the convert vertex tool or withe the selection tool active hold alt+ctrl.

R

Rick Gerard

Community Expert

You can also hold down modifier keys to change from the Pen tool (looks like a pen) to the Convert Point (looks like a crocked <), to the selection tool (white arrow), to the direct selection tool (black arrow). The keys you use are Alt/Option and Ctrl Cmnd. It is by far the easiest way to edit and work with the path tool. Pressing the keyboard shortcut g, if you are working with masks will also cycle from the pen tool to the feather tool and the modifier keys are useful there for selecting and moving feather controls. Maybe this short tutorial I threw together a long time ago for a workshop will help:

ChrisCrystalizeAuthor

Inspiring

Yes, that did it... Adobe Classroom in a Book wasn't detailed enough in this regard. i will save this tutorial for future use. Now I can continue on with the chapter. Thank you!

A lot of menu options I have found will be stumbled upon simply through the learning process. This is how I learned Power Point 2013. I've pretty much outgrown that program and now just use it for some of the presets in text and animation and import the saved video file into After Effects. Eventually once i get good enough I won't have to use Power Point at all anymore as it is a simple office presentation tool and not designed for elaborate works of art.

Now I have to figure out where to put in the activation code into CD4 Lite so I can unlock the special features. I have three registration codes from Maxon but no way of entering it into the software. Posts on the CD4 site have so far gone unanswered. I have a chapter in Chris Meyers Apprentice 4th Edition book where I had to leave a few lessons incomplete because they required those special features to be unlocked.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded