Marking layers using only the mouse

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
December 15, 2023
1 reply
493 views

hello, is it possible in After Effects to select layers directly on the timeline with just the mouse? Not on the left side where the name of the layer is, but on the right side. I just want to mark the layers with the mouse cursor, without having to hold ctrl and click on each layer.

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Rick Gerard

Community Expert

You drag over the layer name, shift + Click and drag in the timeline, or Ctrl/Cmnd + click in the timeline, but you can't just drag unless properties are revealed. Drag a selection around the CTI (current time indicator) and any layer showing any property will be selected. You can also hold down the Ctrl/Cmnd key and shift + drag around a bunch of different layers with properties revealed if you click and drag in the space between layers.

You can also set layer colors and select label groups by clicking the layer color square in the timeline. I organize a lot of complex comps by setting layer colors and label groups.

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Dominik342831905thhAuthor

Participant

@Rick Gerard
Now I do it in such a way that I have to hold ctrl and click on the layers I need, but it is time-consuming to constantly click ctrl or shift. What you do in the video at the beginning - it doesn't work for me. When I drag the mouse nothing happens - it doesn't mark any layer. it doesn't help if I press or hold ctrl or shift.

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Rick Gerard

Community Expert

You need to have properties revealed. Click right next to the CTI, drag to the other side, and then go up or down.

Press the P key to reveal the position on all layers, move the CTI down the timeline, then click and drag next to the CTI in the space where the Position is showing. It should work.

You might also want to explore setting label colors for layers you are going to manipulate together.

You can also move split layers in order above the originals by selecting them after they are split and pressing Shift + ]

There are a lot of shortcuts to organizing a complex timeline. I use them all. Many of my comps have a hundred or more layers in just a few seconds.

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