Changing layer position at a certain time in After Effects

[kennetht42741321]

Hi, I'm new and unfamiliar with After Effects, thus, I do not know all of its functions and limitations.

I would like to know if there are any other better ways (I will explain my own way at the end) that I can change the position of my layers at a certain time?

For example:

Layer A

Layer B

Layer C

after 5 seconds, I need layer B to be on the top of the other 2 layers.

Layer B

Layer A

Layer C

I came up with a solution which is to have a duplicate of layer B on top of A but hidden before the 5 seconds like this:

Layer B (1) - hidden

Layer A - visible

Layer B - visible

Layer C - visible

after 5 seconds, hide "Layer B" and show "layer B (1)"

Layer B (1) - visible

Layer A - visible

Layer B - hidden

Layer C - visible

This way will definitely work, however, I am not sure if it's a practical and right approach to a problem like this. (If this is the only approach, it means that I will have a lot of different layers and things can get super confusing) Any professionals with an alternate and easier way of doing this? Thank you.

[Mylenium · Accepted solution]

There is no easier way. The layer stacking order is a fundamental principle of AE and you can't dynamically re-arrange it. yes, you have to use duplicate layers and cut them/ crossfade them or whatever kind of animation you have to do. The only alternative to at least partially avoid some of this stuff would be to use 3D layers and animate their position, however that's an entirely different category with its own quirks and caveats, plus layers popping through each other may not look that elegant, after all. That being said, if you really have only static 2D layers and clips, cutting it in Premiere would be much more straightforward.

Mylenium

[kennetht42741321]

Thanks Mylenium once again