Chroma Keying - After Effects In this article, we will discuss how to chroma key out a background from your video. This works with any color, but a properly lit green or blue screen will yield the best results. Create even more, even faster with Storyblocks. Download over 9,918 transparent background royalty free Stock Footage Clips, Motion Backgrounds, and After Effects Templates with a subscription.
This article is on how to quickly change the transparency (also known as “opacity”) and do a fade in or fade out of a layer in After Effects. It’s super easy to do and takes only a few seconds. Here’s how:
Quickly Change Transparency of Layer in After Effects
To change the transparency of a layer in After Effects first select the layer in the Comp that you want to change. Next hit the “T” key. The Opacity property for the layer will now appear. In your mind you can remember this shortcut as “T for Transparency!” Just picture Big Bird holding up the letter T and saying that and you’ll never forget it.
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- In this video i will show you how to save alpha channel videos in after effects.Then i will open filmora video editor use that transparent video in it. Very often this happens when we export alpha channel video, then we import in after effects is transparent, but when use in any other software, it looks normal.
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Next, where it says “100%” change that value. 0% will make the layer completely transparent. 50% will make it half transparent. To change the value you can click the 100% and while holding down the mouse, drag to the left or right. This will lower or raise the value. Or click the 100% and then you can type in a value and hit the Return/Enter key to set the value.
Enjoying this tutorial? Check out my tutorial on the simple and useful Replace Layer shortcut in After Effects
Fade In or Fade Out a Layer in After Effects
Let’s say you want to create a fade in or fade out transition in After Effects. You can use the Opacity property to do it very easily.
Fade In
To create a fade in, go to the time where you want the transition to be complete (10 frames, 1 second, etc.). In the Opacity property click the stopwatch icon next to Opacity. This sets a keyframe. The value should be at 100%. If it is not, change it to 100%.
Now move the time position indicator to the beginning of the Composition or wherever you’d like the transition to start. Change the value to 0%. A new keyframe should automatically be created when you do this.
You’ve now made a fade in transition.
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Fade Out
To create a fade out transition find the time where you want the transition to begin and move the time position indicator to that time. Click the stopwatch icon next to Opacity if no keyframes have already been created on the layer for the Opacity property. If there are already keyframes, most likely because you created a fade in transition, then click the “add keyframe” button for the Opacity property. This is that little diamond icon all the way on the left side of the line that the Opacity property is on.
Make sure the value is set to 100% for this first keyframe. Now move the time position indicator to where you want the fade out to complete and change the Opacity property value to 0%. You’ve now made a fade out transition.
Did you enjoy this tutorial on how to quickly change the transparency of a layer in After Effects? If so, I’d love to keep in touch. All you have to do is go here to stay in the loop on new blog posts, tutorials, and announcements.
– Josh
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Work smarter! In this post we share the essential shortcuts for Adobe After Effects.
If you are new to After Effects or just want to tighten up your post production skills, here are 10 shortcuts that will save you time and have you working more efficiently. This is a follow up to my previous 5 After Effects Tips & Tricks for Video Editors post.
One quick note: as you’ll see below there is a difference in Mac vs PC keys. For Windows users the Command key is Control and Option is Alt.
1. Add Footage to After Effects Comp
Mac: Command + / PC: Control +/
Using this shortcut is much quicker than dragging layers (footage, images, etc) into your AE composition. Simply select the footage in the project, hit the shortcut and it will automatically be added to the AE comp.
2. Move a Layer Up/Down
Mac: Command + [ or ] PC: Control + [ or ]
Select a layer in your comp and use the shortcut to move it up or down the layers. Add shift to the shortcut to instantly move the chosen layer to the top or bottom of the stack. This is much quicker and more accurate than dragging a layer up and down with the mouse.
3. Select a Layer in your AE Comp
Select a number on the number keypad (both Mac & PC)
This is a super simple shortcut that let’s you pick a number on a numeric keypad (if you’re using one). Whatever number you select will select that layer in your AE composition.Press the number on the keypad for the layer you want to select in the Composition.
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4. Toggle Between Selection Tool & Other Tools
Temporarily switch to another tool by holding it down. Then, let go to get back to the selection tool. Simple, but actually a significant timesaver.
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5. Creating New Layers in AE
Create a new solid on Mac: Command + Y
Create a new solid on PC: Control + Y
New adjustment layer on Mac: Option + Command + Y
New adjustment layer on PC: Alt + Control + Y
Depending on your workflow, these are two good shortcuts to commit to memory. You can use solids as vignettes or use them to apply an effect onto (then use Screen Mode to remove black and see just the effect). Adjustment layers are transparent layers that you can mask and add effects to, while affecting all the layers beneath them.
6.Deselect a Layer
Mac & PC: F2
Using F2 is a quick way to make sure nothing is selected in your project. This avoid having the wrong layers selected by accident have having to use a ton of undos to get back on track.
7. Fit to Comp Width
Mac: Option + Shift + Command + H PC: Alt + Shift + Control + H
This handy shortcut will quickly scale a layer in your composition to fit the entire composition’s width – super useful when working with shapes or adjustment layers.
8. Zoom to 100%
Mac& PC: /
Use this hotkey want to see your work at 100% magnification. Adding Shift (so, Shift + /) will make it fit the entire composition window.
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9. Create New AE Composition
Mac: Command + N PC: Control + N
Any complex AE project requires tons of individuals compositions, so it’s worth committing this shortcut to memory. Once a new comp is created you can change the preset, pixel aspect ratio, frame rate and duration. The shortcut for “Composition Settings” is Command/Control + K.
10. Ram Preview
Mac & PC: 0 on the number pad
Using the shortcut for RAM Preview is much quicker than clicking the “Ram Preview” button in the Info panel. To make speed up your work even faster, for every other frame ram preview just add Shift + O.
For a full list of Adobe After Effects shortcuts, visit the official reference guide here. Also, it’s worth noting that you can change of any of these shortcuts to fit your own workflow and needs. To do so, use the KeyEd UP script that you can download from Adobe here.
Do you have any favorite AE shortcuts? Share them in the comments below!