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A
Aysam33691136yhro
Participant
November 17, 2023
Question

Question about timeline, frames

  • November 17, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 298 views

Hello,

I have two questions.

The first one is related to Adobe Premiere. In Premiere, we can use the (S) key for snapping, which makes it easier to cut or adjust two objects precisely at a specific point. Additionally, we can use the (C) key for cutting. How can I achieve the same functionality in After Effects?

The second question is crucial. When I preview a clip containing sound and press the (Next Frame) button, in Premiere, I used to hear the start of the sound. However, in After Effects, I don't hear anything. Why is that?

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1 reply

R
Community Expert
Rick GerardCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 17, 2023

Pressing Alt/Option + ] will set a layer's outpoint at the Current Time indicator. Do not be fooled if you are zoomed into the timeline far enough to see that the layer extends to the start of the next frame. All compositing and 3D apps have the current time indicator positioned at the start of the frame. This helps you align the other elements in the project.

 

The [ key moves a layers in-point to the CTI, the ] key moves the outpoint to the CTI.

 

Alt/Option + [ will set the layer's in-point at the CTI.

 

Shift + Ctrl/Cmnd + d will split a layer at the CTI

 

Holding down the Shift key as you drag a layer in the timeline will shape the layer to the in or outpoint, to any visible keyframes, or to any marker in any layer.

 

Shift + Cmnd/Ctrl + Right Arrow or Left Arrow will move the CTI by ten frames in the direction of the arrow. Leave off the Shift key and the CTI moves one frame at a time.

 

The J and K keys move back or forward to the next layer keyframe or marker.

 

Alt/Option + home (left arrow) moves the layers in point to the start of the comp. Alt/Option + end (right arrow) moves the layer's out point to the end of the timeline. 

 

There are a bunch more. The School of Motion has a fairly decent page showing how to use common keyboard shortcuts. Typing "Keyboard Shortcuts" in the Search Help field in the top right corner will link you to more resources. Every time you use a menu, you can see the keyboard shortcuts assigned to the menu items on the right edge of the item. If there is no keyboard shortcut shown, it is unavailable or has not yet been assigned. You can edit and review keyboard shortcuts by going to the Edit/Keyboard Shortcuts Menu. You can also find instructions on how to use that panel by typein "Edit Keyboard Shortcuts" in AE's Search Help field.

A
Aysam33691136yhroAuthor
Participant
November 17, 2023

Thanks,

what about the second question ?

R
Community Expert
Rick GerardCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 18, 2023

Hold down the Ctrl/Cmnd key, click on the CTI, and drag it one frame at a time to hear the start of a sound. If you drag one frame, it will play the sound from that frame. Drag it along slowly, and you'll hear a choppy sound. If you hold down the Ctrl/Cmnd key and click and hold on the CTI, you'll get a looping preview about one second long. It's an easy way to find the start of a word.

 

You can press the L key twice with a layer selected to reveal the Waveform, then drag it down to make it as big as you need to see what's going on visually. Hold down the Shift key and press the L key again, and you'll also get the Audio Levels parameter. You can see the Waveform go up and down as you adjust the audio. It is an easy way to see exactly what is happening with your audio. Here's what it looks like speeded up, and I uploaded a video so you could see and hear how it works.

It's also important to know that After Effects is not a video editing application. Most of your comps should be only one shot. You use AE to create composites, visual effects, animated graphics, and animations you cannot create in an NLE like Premiere Pro. You usually render them to a high-quality production master and edit your film, polish the sound, add sound effects, and do the final color grading in an NLE. That's how big and small studios do it. It is the most efficient workflow. More than 90% of my comps are one shot and seven seconds or less because I work on movies and music videos. Even my explainer videos and dynamic text animations (those movies where words and phrases dance across the screen following the narration) are edited in an NLE. If it's a good enough workflow for George Lucas, it's good enough for me.

 

Spend some time in the Learn Workspace and review the User Guide. Be patient. Becoming an expert visual effects artist or animator takes years.

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