How to efficiently switch back and forth between 2 cameras?

[mindpatterns]

I have a scene with multiple camera angles and I want to switch between them many times. Layers only have 1 in and 1 out point that I'm aware of so I don't know how to achieve this without adding a new layer each time I want to switch to a camera angle which would become very messy. How can I do this efficiently?

[Rick Gerard]

Do it in Premiere Pro. After Effects is NOT an editing app. You're just wasting time trying to do so in AE.

If you have to do it in AE then just animate the opacity of the top layer. Do not cut the layers. More than 90% of my AE comps are one shot under seven seconds. Occasionally I'll use AE for a short sequence. AE was never designed to edit, it is for creating shots, composites, visual effects and motion graphics that you cannot create in an NLE.

[mindpatterns]

Thanks for the reply Rick! I am working with 3D and I find great value in playing right there in AE with camera angles, cuts between cameras and tweaking my animations to really complement those cuts. I would find it a huge creative compromise to have to wait until I render each 3D layer and export over to Premiere. I understand what you're recommending, in many cases, is the best way to go but for me if I can figure out a decent way to change cameras inside AE then my workflow and creativity will greatly benefit on this particular project.

[Andrew Yoole · Accepted solution]

I'm assuming you mean you have built a 3D scene in After Effects, and you need to cut between multiple camera angles within that scene.

Personally, I like to work with 3D cameras as separate layers.  Remember that After Effects always uses the uppermost camera layer, so you can use a single layer for your main camera angle, then just use additional layers for the other angle(s).

Or, if you're determined to use a single camera layer, you can use Hold keyframes.  You'll need to set a Hold keyframe for every parameter of the camera that you change.  Then simply copy and paste the keyframes to the point where the shot needs to change.  This is pretty straightforward if your camera positions are static, but can be a little more fiddly if your cameras are moving.

[mindpatterns]

Thanks Andrew! Will try the hold keyframes.