Animate a video resizing in after effects

[Pixelthinker]

I can't believe how hard this is to figure out... I am attempting to make a video where an imported video clip is playing, then part way through it scales down about 60% to reveal the layer underneath, still playing on top of the layer.

Seems simple, but when I apply the scale using keyframes there is no gradual transition. It jumps from full scale to the new size.

[Pixelthinker]

Answering my own post... I discovered that you have to use Effect Controls. Honestly I do not know the difference but there is one.

[angie_taylor]

Open the Scale property, click on the stopwatch this will add a keyframe. Now move the playhead to where you want the scale to be 60%, change it to 60%.

now play the animation.

This is very basic stuff, I assume that you have not read the manual or followed any of the basic tutorials before attempting this? I'd reccommend that you start by following some tutorials as AE is not the kind of app you can just pick up intuitively.

[Pixelthinker]

The video did not scale using the transform scale property, thus my question. I used Effect/Transform.

[Rick Gerard]

There is no bug. Your problem is nothing more than user error.

Just use the Layer/Transform properties. You are way over complicating things.

Please spend some time in the Beginner section of the User Guide. You can find it on this forum, on the AE Product page, on the AE Home Screen, and you can even get to it from the Learn Workspace. Your question would have been answered if the first time you opened After Effects you had spent about 20 minutes going through the Learn section of AE. It's not too late. Open up the Learn workspace and take the self-guided tour. It will save you hours. 

[Anna Lander]

where was the first keyframe?

are you sure that there was not an unwanted (occasional) keyframe just in the previous frame for the 60%-scale keyframe?

Did you check the scale behaviour by rendering thr small clip or just played preview in the Composition window?

[Mo Moolla]

Hi 

Simple as both Rick and Angie have stated. Let me try to simplify even more

1. Make sure your playhead is at the point you want to begin to change scale

2. Click on the clip on the timeline to selct it

3. Hit the letter S to open up the scale property 

4. Click the stopwatch icon which will them turn blue. Ensure the scale is at 100% first

5. Move your playhead on the timeline to where you want the scale to end its animation

6. Repeat steps 2-4 but change step 4 scale to 60%

All done.

As Rick has mentioned, spend some time with the User Guide to learn the basics

Mo