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Anonymous
March 29, 2019
Answered

Can't move videos/keyframes in After Effects. Help?

  • March 29, 2019
  • 12 replies
  • 33513 views

Hi, all,

I've recently purchased After Effects CC 2019 for my Mac and I'm completely new to the program, and I'm having a few issues with it. I've been watching some tutorials and I see that everyone's able to drag clips/keyframes easily along the timeline, but whenever I try that on my project, it's like they're frozen. I can move them using brackets—[]—but that's all, and it's getting really annoying to do. Even trying to use the little arrows beside the clips to shrink them/make them longer and all of that doesn't work. I'm not sure what's going on.

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer Shivangi_Gupta

      Hi mariat,

      Thanks for reaching out and choosing After Effects. As @OussK suggested, you may have locked your layer that prevents it from being edited. If you have tried that and it still does not work, then please test this with a new composition.

      Also, you may go ahead and make all the settings default by resetting the preferences: Reset After Effects Preferences | Welcome to kevinmonahan.net

      Let us know if any of the above works. We're here to help

      Thanks,

      Shivangi

      12 replies

      Show previous replies
      Dave_LaRonde
      Dave_LaRonde
      Inspiring
      March 29, 2019

      I heartily agree with Towerguy -- learn the basics!

      Ever use a video editing application?   Learning how is like learning to drive the family car.  Learning After Effects?  That's like learning how to fly an F-22 Raptor for combat missions.

      J
      jonathan ashley
      Inspiring
      December 18, 2022

      Well, he's asking the question, so, isn't "learning the basics" exactly what he's doing (with the help of those who offer useful answers)?  We learn by doing, and I'm very thankful to have had this community as a resource.  99% of what I've learned of After Effects, I learned by getting in over my head—often under a deadline—then going online and asking for guidance.

       

      Asking the "stupid" or "basic" questions is how we all learn.

      f2135
      f2135
      New Participant
      December 18, 2022

      Well said.

       

      And most people I know who use Adobe products are freelancers, who don't have the luxury of learning the software in a formal setting.  We have to adapt to the needs of a given project, assimilating new skills along the way.


      In addition, it is may worth to note that there is still a bug in AE that leads to exectly this effect: uanble to move key frames. The bug is due to inconsistent FPS of the source and the composition. 

      https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects-discussions/can-t-move-videos-keyframes-in-after-effects-help/m-p/13332169/page/2#M215680

      T
      Towerguy
      Participating Frequently
      March 29, 2019

      Hi. Click somewhere along the clip and drag from there (four little lines appear showing you can drag it). When you place your cursor over the very beginning or end of the clip a double sided arrow appears showing you can shorten (or lengthen) the footage.

      AE is not an intuitive program so I would strongly suggest that you look at some basics tutorials before trying to dive in or you'll end up driving yourself crazy.

      These are great:

      After Effects basics tutorials by Andrew Devis

      H
      Hari5C88
      New Participant
      July 7, 2021

      same problem to me i loved you way of comment its exactly return to me

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