ABSTRACT
After Effects is stronger vertically – stacking layers to create a single rich image – than horizontally – editing together various layers back to back in a linear fashion. There are several tools within the software that aid in editing and sequencing layers. This chapter covers the trimming layers that are used to remove unwanted frames, splitting layers in two so different pieces of time can be manipulated separately, plus the handy Slip, Overlay, and Ripple Insert edit tools. It also covers the Sequence Layers: a nifty keyframe assistant for automatically arranging multiple layers end to end, with optional overlaps. There are two ways to trim a layer – in the Timeline panel or the Layer panel – and the results vary with the method. One of our favorite features in After Effects is slip editing. This allows to move the content of a layer without moving its keyframes or in and out points in relation to the composition.
